February 7, Westfield, MA--- Well, it’s finally February and that means the racing season starts up on the national level! But its still a few more months before the race season on the local level. And if you’re like me, it can’t come fast enough after the Super Bowl this past weekend. (Guess what team I went for and will always go for).

   Now lets get back on subject, driver interviews. This month’s feature driver is Brad Hietala, the driver of the No.9 SK Modified machine.

   We quickly got talking about how he always looked up to the older drivers. Brad told me that the older drivers where the people that influenced him to go racing.

   The next topic we discussed was what he felt was the best part of racing, other than winning. He quickly jumped on the answer and told me, “The people.”

   I then asked him who he admired while growing up, and unlike many other drivers who named drivers on the major levels of NASCAR, Brad went a different route. His favorite driver growing up was the one and only Richie Evans.

  The next thing we discussed was what his goals were during the race season. “Do the best I can with what I have,” he answered.   I have to say that is one of the best goals I have heard thus far.

 The last thing I asked Brad was about mentoring. When asked if he had any mentors when he started racing he quickly replied, “No.”

   But when the tables were turned on him it was a different story. When it comes to mentoring he is more than willing to give advice. “Talk, with other drivers and with the chassis builders and they well be able to answer your questions,” is his advise to others in the racing world.

   In next months column the feature driver will be Kyle Spencer. Along with Kyle’s interview I will be talking about the Speedway Expo, scheduled for February 29-March 2, at the Mallory building (the Big E property) in West Springfield, Ma.

   Have any drivers you want to know more about? Pop me a line and I will contact that driver.

  And as a side note, if you didn’t get what football team I adore, it’s the New England Patriots. For all you guys out there, no, its not because I think Tom Brady is hot.