SPARTAN SNAPSHOTS
by Michelle Sprague
An interview with John Ward, 2006 Pony Stock and Pony Stock Figure 8 Champ at
Spartan Speedway.
Michelle: What sparked your interest in racing?
John: My interest in racing started back in the early 60's, in South
Carolina, watching my uncle race his car on the red clay tracks...and
going to Spartan Speedway when I could get a ride.
Michelle: Did anyone else in your family (besides your uncle) race?
John: Both of my kids raced at Spartan, John Jr. in a street stock
in 2002, and Lyndsay raced a pony stock in 2003.
Michelle: Who serves as your crew?
John: My friend, Dennis O'Neil, helped me a lot this year, both at
the track and at his shop. He let me use his equipment at his shop
to work on my car. I also had lots of help from other pony drivers.
It's great when your competitors are so willing to help each other.
That's why I enjoyed racing with them so much.
Michelle: Did you ever dream that you'd be going both left AND right
in a pony stock?
John: Actually, yes! Back in 2004, I suggested to Jim L. and Bill
L. that we should try running the Pony's in the Figure 8. They
weren't so sure about it at the time, but I kept after them to try
it. The last night of the 2005 season, they let us run the Figure
8. It turned out great! All the drivers that ran it, loved it, and
we all convinced them to run more in 2006. Hopefully they will
continue running Figure 8 ponies in 2007!
Michelle: Did you have any inkling, at the start of the 2006 season,
that you would be a contender for a championship? (Two for that
matter!)
John: My goal at the beginning of the season was to finish in the
top 5 in points. But after I moved into the points lead, I thought
to myself, "If I can stay consistent, and finish in the top 5 in the
features, I could possibly win a championship." Winning the Figure 8
championship was a big bonus!
Michelle: I know you issued an apology for some rough driving, and I
know you heard the boos (they say that means people are paying
attention.) Did that put a damper on both of your championship
night's celebrations?
John: Not really. It's not a good feeling to get booed by the fans,
but I know that it wasn't intentional. I was just being too
aggressive, and got caught up in the moment. We have to be
accountable for our actions, good or bad.
Michelle: Do you follow NASCAR? If so, who was, or is, your
favorite driver, or is there someone that races, or raced, that you
look up to?
John: I don't follow NASCAR as much as I used to. It's not the same
since Dale Sr. died. My favorite driver was Cale Yarborough. He
could drive the wheels off anything. I don't think I look up to any
one driver. It would have to be all the drivers that I have been
friends with over the past 30 years, Dennis, Glenn, Sam, Eddy, Larry,
just to name a few. They made a big difference in my life and I
can't thank them enough.
Michelle: You are so willing to help other competitors. You post
suggestions, and offers of help on the website. What's next for the
Silver Fox?
John: I will still be at the track every Friday night, offering help
to anyone who needs it. Hopefully, I can go to more ARCA races and
help out there too!
Michelle: How does one land such sponsors as the Colonel and FOX 47?
John: It was easy...they called me and asked if I was interested!
They were good sponsors, but it would have been nice to have them at
the track once in a while.
Michelle: Did the sponsorship go with the car when you sold it?
John: No. I told them at the beginning of the season that it was my
last year, and they asked me to give them some names of drivers who I
thought would best represent them in 2007.
Michelle: Are you definitely retired?
John: Yes, I am officially retired from owning my own car.
Michelle: What's next for John Ward?
John: If my kids want to build a car, I will be in the garage
helping them. For now, I'm keeping my helmet and waiting on that
phone call from NASCAR! Ha Ha!
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