As the 22 AM Technical Solutions Dodge Rolls into New Jersey, Austin Wayne Self feels confident for this season’s first road course. New Jersey Motorsports Park is a 2.3 mile track with 12 challenging turns, and a half mile straightway. This will be Austin’s second start at this track.
In 2013 AWS and the 22 Cunningham Race Team started 25th after an engine change. AWS rallied from the 25th spot to secure a 10th place overall finish for the day. This 15 position advance throughout the race showed the team’s intrepid passing efficiency and Austin’s advanced road course skills attributable to his stint in world karting. In that race AWS exhibited the highest passing ratio of any driver within the field, and this year the 22 Team will certainly be a front runner at New Jersey Motorsports park.
Currently Austin Wayne Self is sitting 7th in season standings with 3 top 10’s in 4 starts. Austin Wayne Self is also leading Rookie of the Year standings.
Austin Wayne Self Commented:
Q: Your thoughts moving towards NJMP?
“I am excited to get back out there in the ARCA car. We are focusing on our point standings and Scott Rookie of the Year points. It’s important for us to move forward.”
Q: Considering you moved forward 15 spots in 2013, do you think you have a shot at the win this year?
“Definitely. We want to race clean and be there at the end of the race. If we can get through qualifying- our 22 AMTS Dodge will already be ahead of where we were at last year, so I think we will be the team to lookout for this go around.”
Q: What do you think about NJMP?
“It’s a really fast track and you get to use the curbs a lot, which I like. My karting has helped my road course racing, it comes naturally when I show up at NJMP which gives me an edge over the competition.”
Q: What will be your primary focus this weekend?
“I’m really focusing on hitting my marks the entire weekend. It helps me win races and move forward in the pack strategically.”
Chad Bryant, Crew Chief on the 22 car navigated Austin towards an excellent showing in 2013 and we can only expect more success in 2014.
Chad Bryant explained, “The road course at New Jersey offers various challenges to stock cars and their set up. Typically we run oval tracks where we can concentrate our efforts on turning left. New Jersey is very challenging for us to make the car really good in both left and right corners.”
“The vehicle that we will be using this week is a car with its intention and purpose built for road coarse racing. This car has features built into it that allow us to be better in the right handers. The cars that we use on a regular basis has a high left side weight percentage for left hand corners, this car is equal weight left to right with the driver in it.”
“Aside from set up, the team will have to utilize strategy this weekend in order to keep track position for the end of the race. Track position is crucial to having a good finish because it is very difficult to pass on a road course. Our fuel mileage window is something we will be observantly monitoring. The teams will have eight tires in the pits this week at their disposal, conservation and usage will also be a dynamic in our strategy.”
“I am looking forward to going back to New Jersey Motorsports Park this year. After the test we had earlier this month, it was evident that our performance is where it should be. The car was a lot more comfortable for Austin than last year’s car was, and with Austin’s maturity and confidence growing each and every race, I think we are going to be a factor in the race at New Jersey.” –Chad Bryant, Cunningham Motorsports, #22 Crew Chief.
The race at New Jersey Motorsports Park will take the green June 01, 2014, at 01:00 PM Eastern Time. For live timing and scoring check: www.ARCARacing.com
For more information leading up to race day, follow Austin on Facebook and Twitter for behind the scenes pictures, videos and other updates.
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