Sometimes when you stick a microphone in front of a driver’s face, you have no clue what they may say and a couple of times you’ll hear something that surprises you or gives you a bit of a perspective.

Throughout the 2019 season, I had the opportunity to speak to a bunch of different competitors. During those interviews, there were some quotes that stood out. So it seems only fitting we take a glance back through the year at what was said.

“But as the season rolls out, I find myself getting ready races week after week. The work on the cars is the fun part to try and improve on how it was last week. When things go as they have been, being adjusted to the competition really makes it tough; to keep trying to be better is a monotonous thing. But really, it was good. I was lucky to do what I did and had a few weekend’s to travel and play in a different sand box.”

Brian Wilson

For Andrea Parsons, racing has been ingrained in her from a young age, growing up at Varney Motor Speedway (now Full Throttle Motor Speedway @ Varney) and watching her grandpa Super Dave Gray racing with other family members.

“I may not have watched them all race but some of the racers in my family are my dad, my uncle Davey, uncle Jeff, my cousin had raced, my sister raced the women’s challenge, my mom had done a few races – it was bound to happen,” she commented. “In 2010, I believe I got to try out a women’s challenge race in my now brother-in-law ‘s mini stock. I didn’t do very well, but the adrenaline I felt made me want more! In 2011, Nick let me use his car to run the full women’s challenge season where I won all three races. The following year the four fun class had opened up at the track and Nick and Bill let me run a car where I finished second in points! And it’s just been on and off for me since!”

“I don’t know if I have any, other than complete utter amazement. I was basically just trying to play it safe, and it just hooked up and worked. Basically, my dad was looking over me; I’m pretty sure that’s what it was. As the laps went on and how everything played out, it’s a God’s grace. It was Dylan Sharpe’s race and hey, he pulled off so what can I say? It’s the best way that it could work out.”

Doug Butler on winning at Jukasa Motor Speedway

“I’m not sure if I’ll be back there as I’m not sure if I’m welcomed back. But we’ll go from there.”

Will GIbbons on the start of the year at Flamboro Speedway

Photo Courtesy of John Brown

“I’d like to get to Grand Bend at some point. I’ve never felt like I’ve had a car that could be competitive at other tracks, but I feel like we will have a really good car next year, so we may consider some of the big event races.”

Scott Schlueter

“Seeing the field that was coming in and hearing all the names, I really expected top-10 at best based on the two tests that we did. We just didn’t seem like we had it, but 35 laps, the fact that we went green to checkered, I get better on the long run. I knew that going in, so I knew I was going to get better. I didn’t think it’d be quite top-five worthy, but hey, I’m happy to be around.”

Samantha Shaw on her fourth-place finish at Jukasa Motor Speedway

“It never feels great to be the first loser, but it was a good day all the way around. Pretty decent off the trailer, picked up speed in qualifying from practice. I haven’t even looked at times from the feature, but the car was really comfortable all day and I figured some of our competitors may get out shape as the run played on which is how it played out. We were able to pick up a couple spots – unfortunately, one short, but a good day all in all.”

Warren Paxton on his runner-up at Jukasa Motor Speedway