FF: CD: Quintin Crye Bakersfield preview

QUINTIN CRYE HEADS TO BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY SATURDAY FOR 2006 USAC CALIFORNIA FORD FOCUS SERIES SEASON OPENER

(GRIDLEY, Calif.): Quintin Crye, the 17-year-old USAC Ford Focus Series driver from Gridley, Calif., will be heading to Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway this Saturday, March 25, for the first race of the 2006 USAC California Ford Focus Midget Series Season. The first race was originally scheduled for Ventura Raceway on March 18th, but was cancelled due to bad weather.

Bakersfield Speedway hosted one of three Focus races that Crye participated in during 2005. Although his experience in that series is still quite limited, he feels confident heading into Saturday's race: "I'm pretty optimistic about this year. By about half-way through the season, I'm hoping to be in the top two or three in points in the Focus Series -- that is if we make all of the races this year, and if we run relatively strong each time out. Wins are great and what I'm always aiming for, but my goal is to finish in the top-five in each race I enter. The points will follow if I can do that."

Crye explains what starting the 2006 season at Bakersfield Speedway means to him instead of at the originally scheduled Ventura Raceway (cancelled due to weather): "I was a bit more comfortable going into Ventura as the first race of the year, instead of Bakersfield. The Bakersfield track is tricky because the wall is right next to you, then half-way down the backstraight, the wall disappears, so it kind of presents a different illusion than a track that has a solid wall around the entire facility. It's the same for everyone, and I'm sure I'll get used to it, just like all of the other new tracks on the circuit."

Crye is looking forward to a full year in the USAC California Ford Focus Midget Car Series, running all pavement and dirt shows, because it gives him the opportunity to grow as well as possibly learn skills he can pass on to other competitors in the future.

"I really don't know who's running this year, as Alex Harris (2005 USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Series Champion) and Chase Barber (2005 USAC California Dirt Ford Focus Series Champion) have moved into the full Midgets," Crye stated. "I got to talk to them last year a bit and they were always helpful in giving me advice. That's what I really appreciate about USAC drivers -- that they always are willing to help their competitors be better, whether it's lending a part, or with advice on a particular track. I'm hoping I'll eventually be able to do that for other drivers if they ever need a hand getting back onto the track or with some advice."

A 25-lap feature is scheduled for this Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway for the USAC California Ford Focus Midget Car Series.

-www.CryeRacing.com.