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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
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Interrogation
by Gary "Hammerdown" Costa |
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Rapid Fire With "The Wild
Child" Jac Haudenschild |
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Jac, I know you're heading out
the door to Arizona for the Outlaw shows, so we'll get this deal
started. Good luck by the way! How did you get your nickname
"The Wild Child"? Haud: Thanks! I think it had
something to do with my driving style and my last name I guess! I
can't remember who gave it to me, people just started calling me
that. You're teaming up with Rick
Wright in the Wright One Construction #35 for an all out assault on
the World of Outlaws tour... Haud: Yes! And I am really
looking forward to it! After racing for so many
years. What does a veteran like yourself do to prepare for a new
year? Haud: Well, after age 40 I
started working out!
You won your first Sprint Car
race at Lakeville Speedway at 16! Haud: Yes! I drove for my dad and won my first race with him. Kokomo Speedway, 1985 you picked up your first World of Outlaws victory.
Haud: Yeah, I won my first WoO main event with Jim McQueen as
my crew chief, it was also with a steel
motor! In your early years you did
some running around with Kenny and Dean Jacobs, as well as Jack
Hewitt..... Haud: Oh yeah, they were good
friends and I enjoyed racing with them. We had a lot of good times. Brad Doty is practically
family right? Haud: Yes, we grew up together
and we were like brothers!
Haud, what's up with Eldora?
You've won the King's Royal three times, The Historical Big One and
The Mopar Million just to name a few at that joint... Haud: I like the high speed
and the high banks! The Front Row Challenge win
was as exciting as it gets. There were a few yellows during your
charge to the front.... Haud: Yeah, it was very
exciting! And on the last yellow, I had no brakes! I want to ask you what race do
you cherish the most. In other words, when Jac's all alone, what
race(s) do you reflect on? Haud: The Kings Royal races
are very special to me. Wing or Non-Wing, it doesn't
matter, you're always a factor to win. But the little that you do
race without the wing, you are successful without it. Do you
attribute this to your early days of running without the wing?
Haud: Yes! In the earlier days
of racing with the WoO we used to race wing and non-wing shows.
Wing and Non-Wing, what does
it take to be successful in both types of cars?
Is it more driver
involvement in one or the other, mechanic? Haud: Gary, it really does
take a good car and mechanic either way.
Let's say we're running around
Eldora. Take me for a lap with the wing, then without the wing. And
explain to us the adjustments you would have to make as a driver to
get around that joint fast! Haud: With the wing, the car
is locked down and without it it's loose. You can really hammer the
throttle with the wing, but you have to let off of the throttle
without the wing. In any conversation at any
track we the fans always talk about who really gasses her up, and
your name will without a doubt be mentioned. Let's imagine for a
moment that yourself, Kinser, Sammy, Hewitt and Opperman are having
this conversation, who's name would you drop?
Haud: Lealand McSpadden!
What are some of the things
Jac Haudenschild has done to make himself competitive
year-after-year? Haud: I really love what I do!
That's what keeps me competitive and coming back year after year! What do you find that is the
most difficult aspect to you in regards to racing? The travel, being
away from home? Haud: Keeping a good team
together. Knoxville is one of the
biggies missing on your resume....
Haud: Yes, but I Hope to win
it this year!
You are a fan favorite
wherever you go. Why do you think that is? Haud: I have always loved to
take time with the fans. I know that you have some
seasons left to get the elbows up, but when that times come for you
to hang up your helmet, how would you like us fans to remember you?
Haud: Although I'm not
retiring anytime soon, as a winner of course! I would also like to
be remembered as a driver who truly loved racing, and my beautiful
family.
Thank you for taking the time
out of your busy schedule to allow me to ask you these questions... Haud: Thank you Gary and to
everyone who reads "Interrogation"! ******************************** Follow
the latest happenings with Jac at
www.HaudenschildRacing.com
gary_costa1@yahoo.com |
(John's
Racing Photos) 
