Local teenage racer Behar gaining national attention
You know that a budding career has gotten the attention of NASCAR’s top brass when the sport’s Vice-President of Regional and Touring Series, George Silbermann, asks to chat prior to taking the green flag in Evergreen Speedway’s recent Summer Showdown.
Such was the case for Otis Orchard’s Nicole Behar who has been on a whirlwind of success in the last year. The 16-year old looks to continue her attention-netting ways when she attempts to qualify for NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The top drivers from across the West invade Behar’s home track of Stateline Speedway on Saturday for their lone appearance of the season in Eastern Washington.
Having won Stateline’s late model championship last season, scoring several top-5 runs on the Northwest Modified Series and becoming the first female driver to qualify for the famed Montana 200 through time trials, Behar capped the year off with an invitation to NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity tryouts.
Though Behar made the final round of 20 drivers to test, she was not selected for one of the coveted four spots on Rev Racing’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East team. The East Valley High School student did take a great deal of information away from the session that she’s hoping to apply this weekend.
“The (Drive for Diversity) tryout helped me with all aspects of my racing. With regards to my driving I got to test in a different type of car than we run out here (in the late model series). They (Rev Racing) also helped with coaching and many of them (Rev Racing officials) mentoring me on my driving abilities and also on how to speak with the media.”
Should this season continue to evolve with success on and off the track, the driver of the Sun Drop Citrus Soda Impala is hoping for a return to the NASCAR evaluation sessions this fall.
“I had such a great experience and enjoyed meeting the Rev Racing, Drive for Diversity and NASCAR staff. I hope to be selected again for the next combine.”
Behar and her team will debut a K&N Pro Series Chevrolet constructed in North Carolina by renowned chassis builders, Hess Racing Products. Having selected her home track for a K&N Pro Series debut, Behar brings the goal of running with the leaders throughout this weekend’s race while maybe even challenging for a win, she noted.
“For me my expectations are the same (as any other race); I want to win. However, a good finish would be great considering I will be competing with some of the best drivers on the West.
Friday night test drive alright
Newhall, California native, Greg Pursley, the 2011 series champion and current points leader coming into the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150, takes a different approach for Saturday’s event then those who have made the trek to Stateline in recent weeks for some pre-race testing.
With an open practice for all K&N Pro Series teams scheduled for Friday night, Pursley will use that time to dial-in his Gene Price Motorsports Ford Fusion for Saturday’s 150-lap shootout.
“It’s always nice to have some time at a new track prior to the race. I do think (testing on a Friday night) helps because the test time will be similar track conditions to our race so any adjustments that need to be made can be done (during that evening),” Pursley explained.
For Pursley the challenge of the weekend is keeping the No. 26 Ford in one piece while pursuing victory and maintaining his points lead.
“We’re heading to Stateline with a cautiously aggressive approach. If we don’t have the car to win the race we’re going to be smart and stay out of trouble to get the best finish possible.”
The 46-year old does have the advantage of bringing a set-up underneath his car that has proven successful on the series’ other quarter-mile run during the 2014 season
“We’re going with the same set-up as the Stockton (Speedway) race, which worked well for us (finishing second to race winner David Mayhew). The test session will help for any necessary changes but we’re pretty happy with our short track program right now.”