ACT Late Model Tour: Brian Hoar
New Hampshire Motor Speedway Race Report
LOUDON, N.H. – Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., finished third in the fifth annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on Saturday, September 21. Hoar led on two different occasions for a total of 13 laps after starting 15th in the 43-car field, but his car tightened up in the late stages of the race and the No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge settled for third-place – his second Top-5 and his fifth Top-10 in five Invitational starts. Hoar used a bold five-wide move to the outside in the opening laps of the race to get to the front, and he ended the day having recorded his seventh straight Top-5 and sixth straight podium finish for RPM in 2013.
WHO: Brian Hoar, Williston, Vt.
TEAM: RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger
CREW CHIEF: Rick Paya, Georgia, Vt.
WHAT: Bond Auto ACT Invitational 50
WHERE: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, N.H. (1.058-mile oval)
STARTED: 15th
FINISHED: 3rd
NEXT RACE: September 28, Fall Foliage 200, Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, N.Y. (.500-mile oval)
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BRIAN, HOW WAS YOUR DAY?
It’s disappointing to be sitting here (in third). I thought the first half of the race that I had a solid enough car, and I thought I was saving enough to have a nice even run all the way through. As tight as it got in the last 15 laps, I think I drove the front tires right off it.
Last year, I came here and started the race a little free. I started way too free, so we went the other way this year. Although I’ve got some experience, and I always learn every time I come here. We didn’t come and test and we didn’t make any long runs (in morning practice). I’m sure all that played into effect. I can’t complain. It’s always fun to come to New Hampshire and race anyway. I just got too tight at the end.
HOW DID YOU GAIN SO MUCH TRACK POSITION EARLY?
The initial start, it was just wild. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’ve learned that from Eddie (MacDonald) – I’ve been out there running around the outside groove and Eddie goes six-wide around us four or five years ago, whenever it was.
One of the things NHMS does so well, and one of the reasons our Late Models are able to run three- or four-wide, is they clean the track really well. It’s amazing. The track is very clean. Most of the time you go to a track, there’s only two or two and a half grooves because all the rubber marbles are out there. We go slipping and sliding, but here you can drive out there.
WERE YOU WORRIED THAT THE CAR WOULD GO AWAY AT THE END?
I was really trying to save something and didn’t save enough. So I do think chasing the (No. 78 for the lead) did have an effect.
I think most people know me — I have a tendency to try to save something for the end. I don’t think I fully did my job.