|
|
| |
|
|
Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks
Once considered the Speedbowl's
"entry division," the four-cylinder Mini Stocks have developed into a
solid, self-sustaining group and ru nunder the sponsorship of the Norwich Bulletin. It came to the Speedbowl less the a decade ago. "There
are a number of guys who have been with it since the beginning," says veteran
competitor Dan Darnstaedt. "There are really not a lot of secrets left. New
guys coming in catch on and that results in some real racing action. You want to
win you better figure on side-by-side racing. It has become very competitive. Look
at the number of winners we've had over the last few years."
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Henry Ford said "you can
have your Model T in any color as long as it's black" It's kind of like that in
the Mini Stocks. You can win in any car you want as long as it's a 4 cylinder Mustang.
Yea, some other makes are allowed, but it's really about 26 almost identical Stangs
running side by side. The drivers here have to learn the 'Smooth' early on to be
successful.
|
Danny Field has hit on a
good thing. The absolute epitome of consistency, Field is the first driver since
Jeff Miller (1998-99) to capture back-to-back Mini Stock championships. He did it
with incredible persistence and preparedness.
The 2006 stats — four wins, 14 top fives and 17 top 10s — compare favorably with
the 2005 numbers — 3 wins, 16 tops fives, 20 top 10s.
In scoring the four wins this year, he led only six laps. Field, who likes to be
in the point lead, makes a point of knowing where he is in relationship to his closet
rivals.
He was actually a little slower off the mark this year but back-to-back wins in
late May put him in "championship mode". He?s had six podium finishes in his last
nine starts.
Since coming to the very competitive Mini Stocks in 2001 (after a dozen seasons
in the Late Models), Field has posted 12 wins. He heads in to the 50-lapper at The
Finale in sixth place on the all-time win list.
|
 |
|
|
