Andy Seuss Earns Top-Five Finish in Debut at Historic Bowman Gray Stadium
Patience Is the Key Factor to Success in Advance Auto Parts 199
Concord, NC — Andy Seuss didn’t know what to expect when he arrived with helmet bag in hand at Bowman Gray Stadium (NC) for Advance Auto Parts 199 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour weekend. The 21-year old driver had laid eyes the famed quarter-mile bullring once before, when he announced his joining forces with Riggs Racing for the 2008 season. But that was just a press conference and this was a race. Seuss knew he had to expect the unexpected and adapt quickly to the unique brand of racing that has made the Stadium known as one of the toughest bullrings in the country. He did just that, scoring an impressive fifth-place finish in his Bowman Gray debut.
“I had never seen a race here so I kept saying ‘Nah, it’s going to be racy,’ said Seuss after his fifth-place run. “It is actually very much about strategy. It’s follow the leader but real, real tough. Once I was here and drove the track I said that I had no idea how I was going to drive with other cars on the track. We went out there and learned a lot and now next year maybe I won’t be too frightened to come here.”
After staring 15th on the grid, Seuss patiently made his way up the scoring sheet throughout the Advance Auto Parts 199. Using patience and staying in tow of a veteran driver helped him keep a steady pace throughout the race.
“After the wreck up front at the start it moved us up to 12th. Then we picked off a few cars. There wasn’t a whole lot of passing going on. I was behind Frank Fleming for most of the race and really watching what he was doing. It definitely taught me a lot being behind him because he’s a veteran and is one of the best.
“When they came over the radio and said it was half-way I said that I wished the race was over because we had all four wheels still left on it. It was a good run. They kept on preaching patience to me. I have the best teachers out there with the Riggs family and my father is an excellent drivers coach. They kept me cool and we came out with a top-five. To run with guys that have that much experience here says a lot for our effort here this weekend.”
Bowman Gray Stadium is typically a track where non-regulars do not fair too well at and outside visitors are in-frequent. Making the trip back home what would Andy tell New England region racers about the place they call “The Madhouse?”
“Bring an open mind and be ready to adapt because it is wild,” said a relieved Seuss.
Andy and the Advance Auto Parts Riggs Racing team return to action on Friday August 22nd, when the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour makes a stop at North Carolina’s Caraway Speedway.
For more information on Andy Seuss, please contact Mike Twist at (207) 590-1786 and check out the official Andy Seuss website at www.AndySeuss.com.
Sources: Mike Twist/Andy Seuss PR