Everything a race fan could ask for, the smell of burning rubber, the squeal of tires rounding the track, a beautiful Arizona night perfect for road racing at the Main track at Firebird International Raceway. Victor is ready and looking forward to the racing action.
The main track has a long straightaway where the car builds an incredible amount of speed. At the end of the straightaway the braking system is relied upon heavily to do its job. The main track also features giant sweeping curves and chicanes (A chicane is a series of tight curves in a road race used to slow cars.), one of the places where Victor typically shows his talent on the race track. Further along the course is the impressive tower turn and the only place on the track with a wall as the outer boundary.
The practice session went smoothly. A tire from a different manufacturer has Victor and his crew adjusting the car for maximum performance. All is looking good and Victor is thrilled to be able to race again. The qualifying race is next and Victor is lined up to start in fourth place. The racing has started and the first four cars pull away from the rest of the field of racers. Victor passes the third place car in the chicanes. The fourth place car now passes him back. It is into the chicanes again and Victor passes back to third. Victor’s lap times are getting faster and all is looking good. The second place car is coming within Victor’s grasp and car owner and crew feel the adrenaline rush that comes when Victor is one with his racing.
Alas it is not to be Victor’s night. The car overheats and the cab fills with smoke. The only option is to bring the car to the pits and try to diagnose the problem. However any time he gets to race and have fun doing what he enjoys is a good night and next race will be better.
A special thanks to car owner Shirl Dickey. Victor’s next race will take place at Firebird International Raceway, June 5th and 6th morning only.
Arizona Racer Victor Pfluger Ranks High in Prestigious NASCAR Scouting Report
By Rebecca Gladden
Phoenix, AZ, February 9, 2009 – Arizona native and NASCAR hopeful Victor Pfluger is ranked 5th among 36 drivers from across the country in the 2009 Local Track category on the influential DavidSmithMotorsports.com scouting report.
The ranking represents a significant achievement for the 18-year-old Morristown driver who’s been lighting up racetracks in Arizona and the Southwest since the age of 10. Pfluger ranked 18th in the Local Track category last year.
“I am truly excited to have my efforts recognized by someone as important to NASCAR as David Smith,” said Pfluger. “I am very happy to have moved up his rankings.”
David Smith is a NASCAR talent scout who has provided coverage of top racing prospects since 2001. DavidSmithMotorsports.com is the premier talent scouting website for NASCAR racing prospects. Young drivers from across the country are rated solely on their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series potential. Ratings criteria include on-track success, character traits, adaptability, strength of the current competition, and overall driving ability.
While Victor Pfluger has caught the eye of NASCAR talent scouts and competitors alike, he is actively seeking sponsorship for the 2009 season to take his career to the next level. Without an immediate source of sponsorship funding, Pfluger may not be able to continue the record-setting performances that have been a trademark of his racing career.
In 2005, at age 14, Victor became the youngest driver in ASA Speed Truck history to win a feature race, and he followed that up in 2006 by becoming the youngest driver to finish the year in the top five in points in that series.
Then, in 2007, at age 16, Pfluger won the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Championship, again the youngest driver ever to do so. The driver he beat out for the title came back to win it last season – at age 43. Over the years, the ASA has produced many of the finest drivers in stock car racing, including Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch.
In 2008, fresh off his ASA Speed Truck Series Championship, Victor competed in the NASCAR Super Late Model series and scored several wins, including a hard-fought victory against former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion Ron Hornaday.