“I like the bigger tracks and I like to carry more speed,” said Freeman. “When I first saw the track in a test last year, Mike Olsen took me on top of the trailer and tried to show me the way around. I know he knows his way around there. It takes a little more finesse to keep the momentum going. In my past racing experience I have driven momentum race cars like the crate motor Late Models, Bandoleros and Thunder Roadsters. You really have to carry your speed through the corners at New Hampshire. I really feel like the past cars I have driven have helped me with that along with pointers I have received from some of the other drivers in the series.”
In his first two races at New Hampshire in 2006, Freeman showed he was not only a fast learner, but was a contender for the win right out of the box. This time he is ready to drive to victory in his Dave Davis #57 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.
When a driver heads to a track they feel comfortable at, their level of excitement increases dramatically. That is why John Freeman couldn’t be more excited for this weekend’s “New England 125” NASCAR Busch East Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon (NH).
In 2006, Freeman saw the place for the first time during a practice session. His past racing experience and a lesson from a well-known individual in the racing world allowed Freeman to learn quickly how to get around the facility.
“My two previous trips up there I have had fast cars,” said Freeman. “I had a seventh-place run with Barney McRae and had a top-two run going with the Fitz crew before I got caught up into a melee. We have always been a front running effort every time we have been there so far. We tested there a couple months back. We were definitely top-three in the test and we feel we can improve on that. We used our short track car for the test session and we have built a brand new car from the ground up and we will see what we will have with these guys. Going back for my third time I feel like the third time could be the charm.”
Freeman and the rest of the Busch East drivers will be racing in front of a larger audience as the series marries up with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series for the New Hampshire race weekend. With the added exposure, Freeman is ready to display his talents in front of the higher NASCAR series drivers and teams.
“It is exciting that the Busch and Cup drivers are going to be there,” said Freeman. “It will give us a chance to showcase what we can do in front of those guys. Having a good run could help give us a shot at the big time. That is what we are all here for and what we all want. You never know, you could come out of a win at New Hampshire and sit on a pedestal with these teams in the upper series. With all the teams and fans there with the hype, it is just a great experience.”
The “New England 125” NASCAR Busch East Series race is set to take the green flag on Friday, June 29th at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH.
