Paulie's Blog: First time on bigger track like Phoenix

After starting our season with two short-track races, our No. 12 team headed to Phoenix International Raceway for the third NASCAR Camping World West Series race of the season. This was my first time competing on a track larger than a half-mile, so I couldn't have been more excited. After some huge setup changes in practice, we ended up bringing our Toyota home in eighth.

Because I've never been to a track remotely like Phoenix, I knew I would need to do my research before race day. Fortunately, both Elton Sawyer and Ricky Rudd were willing to spend a significant amount of time on the phone with me on Monday and Tuesday, explaining to me the preferred groove at Phoenix, how the race track changes as it cools, the best ways to pass other cars, and other grooves that may open up. Having input from two drivers as successful and knowledgeable as Elton and Ricky was a huge jump-start heading to the race track.

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I left Duke after my last class on Wednesday afternoon and headed for the airport. Fortunately, I was on a direct flight to Phoenix. Almost immediately after my arrival, crew chief Duane Knorr arrived to pick me up. We headed back to the hotel, checked in, and went out for a team dinner. After a lot of laughs, we turned our attention to race day.

Thursday morning was my first time at Phoenix International Raceway. Looking around, I couldn't wait to get on the track. My first task was sorting through some shocks for the day. After consultation with some good friends, I made a plan for what needed to be built on the plane ride on Wednesday night. Upon entry into the infield, I immediately went to work.

After a quick rookie meeting and a few final touches on shocks, I jumped into the race car. After about five laps on track to shake the car down, I pulled down pit road for the first time. In conversing with Duane over the radio, I expressed how excited I was, 'This place is really cool. I can see how, as a driver, I can really move around and find places to make the car work here. It reminds me a lot of driving a Camping World Truck at South Georgia Speedway, the feel of the car getting into the corner. I'm going to love this place. I can definitely see how a driver could go in the corner too hard here and that getting the car to roll free [slight over-steer] in the Center of Turns 1 and 2 will be crucial. This is going to be fun.' Duane smiled and we went to work. (Continued)