Timmons Wants to Get Back in Victory Lane
Bobby Timmons of Windham, ME will run the first two Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Super Late Model races at Oxford Plains and Beech Ridge in Maine. Timmons will also run opening night at Beech Ridge. “We generally run good on opening night, so I imagine we will this year too,” Timmons said.
Timmons will also race his dad’s 350 Supermodified at Lee USA and Star in New Hampshire as his schedule allows. He expects to enter three to five events at Lee. Star will include the preliminary 50-lap race at Star Classic weekend on September 12.
Timmons has the Oxford 250 on his radar since the event has moved to August 30. Timmons also feels that that Oxford 250 will be tougher than ever to qualify for.
“Last year’s final PASS race at Oxford we felt we had a car that could definitely contend for a top five, maybe a win, but suffered a mechanical issue and dropped out early. So we feel confident that we have a fast car at Oxford and have a shot at making the big show, just need everything to fall into place this summer.
“I think this year will be tougher than ever. With this year’s merge of PASS and ACT you’ll have some more big teams like Joey Pole and such who couldn’t run the 250 in previous years due to scheduling conflict that can now attempt to qualify and having six to ten more competitive teams will make it that much harder I feel. Should be the best 20 since (Tom) Mayberry took over Oxford.”
Timmons believes the competition has been great in recent years at Beech Ridge and that will continue.
“I don’t think anything will top the field we had in 2012, but this season maybe a close second. Lots of new guys coming up who have had success in lower divisions plus veterans returning this year like Trevor Sanborn. Mix those guys in with the regular contingent of guys and I am willing to bet every fan will get their money’s worth on a Saturday night. It should be a good show.”
One of Timmons goals for this season is to have fun.
“Last year we faced a lot of adversity amongst our team and most of it was very own fault. The frustrations of racing took its toll on us all year and I don’t want that next year (2015). And secondly is to get a win. Last year as I said earlier, we didn’t get a win and that was a bummer, so I’d like to definitely get at least one if not more.”
Last season was a very up end down for Timmons. He went winless for the first time in his career. The team was not lacking speed with a handful of top fives and was tied for third in Beech Ridge Pro Series points.
“We struggled towards the end of June and into July, but eventually got the handling back by the end of the season. I believe we had the best car on the season finale night, but coming from the 16th starting spot. I just got boxed in behind so many slower cars. It made it tough to get to the lead. We spent most of this year (2014) in the shop replacing body panels as this year (2014) was a rough one. We were fortunate enough to not have any major wrecks, but we beat up a lot of body panels and that really sucks the fun out of it when it becomes a second job instead of a hobby.”
Timmons has raced with a lot of good guys over the years, but his favorite to race with is definitely Bill Rodgers.
“My first season we had a minor disagreement, but after that we have had some great battles. Finding someone who can race wheel to wheel with you cleanly at Beech Ridge is (a) rarity due to the tight racing quarters and how everyone is so close on speed. But Bill and I can run side by side, lap after lap without contact and it’s certainly nice to have that. I wish more guys were like him.”
The PASS North Super Late Model season kicks off Saturday April 18 at Oxford Plains Speedway. The first NASCAR Whelen All American Series event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway will be held on Saturday night May 23.
Sources: Matt Wiernasz/YankeeRacer.com