WWS: Walker, Woodside Rocky Mountain preview

Walker, Woodside Ready To Bank Winning Performances At Rocky Mountain Raceways

August 27, 2001 (Valencia, Calif.) - Team Walker Motorsports drivers Mike Walker and Sean Woodside head to Rocky Mountain Raceways with high hopes after laying the groundwork for strong performances in this Saturday's Bank One 250 Presented by NAPA and Hoosier at Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The pair tested at RMR recently, giving Woodside an opportunity to reacquaint himself with the .375-mile oval and letting Walker have an opportunity to extend his driving experience to a new track.

Team co-owner Walker is entered in this weekend's event following an encouraging Winston West attempt at Irwindale Speedway last month. Walker's first Winston West start came from a 15th place position on the grid. His qualifying lap of 19.105 seconds was faster than those run by several of the Winston West regulars for that event.

Walker's test times at RMR were good, and the long practice runs gave him time to get comfortable in his ride.

"RMR is a fun track, the most fun yet for me," quipped Walker. "I had a good car to start with, but we wouldn't have been as fast as we were if it wasn't for Woodside."

The two raced each other in 50-lap runs over the course of the two-day test session. Walker's times were admirable, and have increased his confidence for a good qualifying effort.

Woodside has competed at RMR before. In 1999, he set and still holds the Winston West fast time record with a qualifying lap of 15.220 seconds. Woodside's qualifying efforts in 2001 have been outstanding, with three consecutive Bud Pole Awards through the most recent Winston West event, and a total of four to date this season.

"We are really looking forward to this race," Woodside commented. "If we run half as well as we tested, we'll be in great shape."

Woodside is also looking forward to participating in a media day event at RMR on Friday. Two lucky winners in a recent track promotion will test their mettle against four Winston West drivers in a go-cart competition on Friday afternoon at RMR.

Woodside continued, "RMR is a very nice facility run by a great bunch of people. The go-cart competition will be a lot of fun, and we're looking forward to working with RMR's staff to make it a great event."

Woodside is currently in fifth place in the Winston West Series' championship standings to date.

More information is available at the team's Web site at http://www.teamwalkermotorsports.com.

Team Walker Motorsports is a multi-team racing operation owned by Donna Walker and her son, Michael. The team fields the #45 Team Walker/Ron's Rear Ends/NAPA Chevrolet, featuring driver Sean Woodside, and the #46 Team Walker/Ron's Rear Ends/NAPA/Mechanics Wear Chevrolet, driven by Michael Walker, in the NASCAR Winston West Series. Walker also pilots the #23 Team Walker/Ron's Rear Ends/Quixote/Sunset Expendables/NAPA Chevrolet in Irwindale Speedway's Super Late Model program. Valencia, Calif.-based Team Walker Motorsports debuted in 1999 with a limited Late Model schedule.

-TWM-