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 2022 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.

“During that time, we were just barely able to afford racing go-karts. My dad sacrificed a lot for me to race go-karts. My dad not only sacrificed a lot of time, but a lot of money, and he did a lot of things for me to not only support my career, but to spend time with me. At that time in my life, I didn’t even know if I’d be able to race go-karts the next year, I didn’t even know if I would be able to race a stock car. When I got the opportunity to race with my dad and Mike Westwood to race Hurricane Midgets, I thought that could be it. When I got an opportunity with Cliff Hodgkinson and the Pro 4 Modifieds, I thought that was the furthest I could go. Allan Adams is the same sort of opportunity, and it’s been a real pleasure to be buy a car with my dad and co-own it together, and do it all together, because it’s something that both of us look back on and can’t believe we’ve made it here, just because of the financial stress we’ve been through in the past with racing, and not only that, just the years of commitment and learning. It’s been a great process of learning, and reflecting back on that, it’s something that we’re both proud of. Although my dad raced stock cars, nothing is given, and it wasn’t like I was going to do it. We didn’t ever think that was going to be within reach, and I’m very thankful for each and every opportunity to jump in a racecar. I think that’s one reason I put a lot of pressure on myself because I know that you can go from hero to zero in no time and like Don Biederman used to say, you’re only as good as your last race. I always take that to heart. I try to race every one like it’s my last.” – A.J. Emms

“I feel as a team, there isn’t anyone out there that is going to outwork us. I rely very heavily on Shawn Chenoweth for team support and the proofs in the pudding, We had two part failures in 2021 and still finished second in points and capitalized on every other event we got to finish. We just have to keep to the grind and keep this program heading in the right direction.” – Andy Kamrath

“I moved in around the corner from them (Carol and Steve Slaughter) when I was a kid. I hung out with (Steve Slaughter) Junior and my dad knew that cousin Tom (Walters) raced so I went to go watch him and the rest is history.” – Herb Walters

“That is what got me hooked on racing (helping Rob Clarke). I remember he even let me drive it at a test session once – that was a real eye opener. My first shot at racing was in one of the bone stocks at my high school. A couple years later we put our own bone stock together and raced the 2016 season at Delaware Speedway.” – Marshall Schrenk

“It means a lot. It’s one of the biggest accomplishments I’ve done in my career. It took a lot of help and a lot of luck in the same way to not have mechanical failures, to catch a blowing up motor in practice, and stuff. There’s very good people behind me that have helped me.” – Tj Edwards on his 2020 OSCAAR Modified Championship

“I find the biggest thing I’ve learned from racing midgets that I use in everything else would be that no matter how stressful a race day can be, remember to look at the positives and keep it fun. Of course, it’s not always easy to have a fun day at the track when things go wrong; but if you don’t have fun, you’re not going to continue loving the sport!” – Wally Wilson