Brian Hoar: ACT Late Model Tour
RPM Motorsports
ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup Preview
Seven-time ACT Late Mode Tour champion Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., is among 28 drivers entered in the inaugural ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on Sunday and Monday, February 13 and 14. The two-night event includes a pair of 100-lap main events as part of the annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna during Florida Speedweeks. Hoar, the all-time ACT leader in wins with 27 in his career, has never competed on the high-banked, half-mile track. Winner of each of the last two ACT championships, he is bringing the same car he finished fourth with in the 2nd annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last September. This marks the first race for RPM Motorsports with Austin Theriault entered as a teammate to Hoar.
WHO: Brian Hoar, Williston, Vt.
TEAM: No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger
BEST CAREER NEW SMYRNA ACT FINISH: n/a
LAST RACE NEW SMYRNA ACT FINISH: n/a
WHAT: Inaugural ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup
WHERE: New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. (.500-mile oval)
FORMAT: Heat races determine starting lineup for Sunday night’s 100-lap event; finish inverted to comprise starting lineup for Monday night’s 100-lap event. Lowest total score declared overall champion.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13; 7:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 14.
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BRIAN, HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING THIS ‘OFF-SEASON’ RACE?
Obviously, we race because it’s fun and we enjoy the sport, and this is an interesting break for us. I’ve never raced in the middle of winter before. It always seems like quite a break — the season ends in October and we usually don’t race again until April. This is a good chance to re-learn some things about the car and try to get back into that rhythm. I hope it gets me into a rhythm a little quicker when the season starts.
Normally, we test more before the season. This can serve as a little bit of that, and give us a bit of a headstart on that. But my idea is to go down and try to win.
Certainly (the event) shines a little light on us. We really get a couple of premiere nights out of the deal. In all the Late Model Digest magazines and newspapers, ACT is recognized as a strong Late Model series. I think sometimes the ‘Late Model’ thing gets us tagged as a ‘baseline division’, but I think our race model, the number of cars we have and the competition is strong. This is a good chance for us to showcase that.
THIS SEEMS LIKE A GREAT TIME TO GET USED TO HAVING AUSTIN THERIAULT AS YOUR TEAMMATE.
It’s crucial that we get out there and start working and getting to know each other. I really don’t know Austin that well — I look forward to spending some time with him. Obviously, working with (team owner and crew chief Rick Paya) will be great to see what becomes of him. I’m sure Austin puts enough pressure on himself.
It will be a lot of fun to work with a new driver and see where it goes.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT NEW SMYRNA?
From what I know of New Smyrna, having gone online and looked at YouTube and some in-car cameras, It looks like a really fast half-mile. I’ve always liked that kind of race track. I’ve always liked Thompson, Stafford, Riverside Speedway up in Quebec. They’re all really fast.
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CAR OWNER AND CREW CHIEF RICK PAYA ON HEADING TO NEW SMYRNA:
There’s obviously no pressure at all with these races, in terms of points or anything like that. But at the same time, I want to win. That’s just me. Everytime we go somewhere, we want to give the guys the best cars we can to try and do that.
I’m looking forward to going down there. We’re one big team under one banner, we really are, and that’s the part I’m excited about.