Source: Nicole Behar Racing Media Relations
OTIS ORCHARDS, Wash. (May 27, 2015)–Throughout the current NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season Nicole Behar has unloaded her Custom Welding and Fabrication Toyota Camry at race tracks where most of her competitors have racing experience.
Not so this weekend as the series heads to Anderson, California’s Shasta Speedway for the first time in 22 years for the running of the Bill Schmitt Memorial 150 presented by Lithia Toyota and NAPA Auto Parts.
This wrinkle in the schedule gives Behar a big boost of confidence heading into the event, she noted.
“For the most part we’ve been working at each track knowing (this season) knowing our competition has notes from past races while we have to build that book. (Crew chief) Travis (Sharpe) has given us great set-ups to hit the track with and dial the car in but knowing we’re on an even playing field with teams because most everyone hasn’t been to Shasta and with the testing restrictions you can’t turn laps there (prior to this weekend), we should be in good shape.”
Shasta Speedway is a tight .333-mile bullring, just the type of track that Behar has had success in the past.
“I like the bullrings that’s for sure. Our success this season has come at places like Tucson (similar to Shasta and place that Behar posted a fifth-place finish) or Stateline and Roseville last year (sixth and eighth-place respectively in two of her first three career starts) so we know that our equipment can run up front on a tight track like Shasta. Brakes are important at a bullring and the key will be to save those over the course of the night so we’re able to be there at the and challenge for another strong finish.”
In four starts this season Behar has put together three top-10 finishes which has moved her to sixth place in the chase for the 2015 series championship. She also sits within the top-5 drivers aiming for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award as the team’s head to Shasta. Keeping the momentum up with another solid finish will help Behar move into the top-5 championship standings when the weekend wraps up, noted the member of NASCAR’s 2015 Next class.
“When you run inside the top-5 or even the top-10 each week it helps with the championship points, keeps the car up front which helps us to showcase the team to our current and potential sponsors and continues to show that our one-car operation works hard to be successful in the series each week. Our goals are always to go out and win a race, but only one driver can do that each week so we’re mindful to take care of our equipment and be sure to race with respect and show we’re going to be in this championship hunt for the long haul.”
Fans can keep up with all of the latest news regarding Nicole Behar Racing at nicolebehar.com or on the team’s Facebook page, Nicole Behar Racing. Updates for the Bill Schmitt Memorial 150 presented by Lithia Toyota and NAPA Auto Parts at Speedway will be available at hometracks.nascar.com