10/10/2009 12:14:00 AM RACING RAMBLINGS: Wathen already
thinking about Ironman
By ROB LEE / For The Paper
The weather is better today, but the rain the couple days before that has local ATV national contender Zac Wathen thinking.
The Crawfordsville rider runs second in the GNCC 24+C class on the trail to the Klotz Ironman in two weeks in Crawfordsville. Rain the week of the Ironman is nothing new either.
"Every year it's the mud," Wathen said, laughing. "We are usually up to our knees in it."
Wathen, 24, is already preparing for his "home track" race Oct. 24.
For the most part, the pressure is off with the points race. He has settled into second in his GNCC class.
Wathen has a two-race win streak in his IXCR class heading to the next event Oct. 18 in Lawrence County. co-sanctioned by Indiana Cross Country Racing
"I think I have to finish ninth or better at the Ironman to clinch second," Wathen said. "Consistency is the number one thing. I haven't won a national race, but I'm sitting second."
He added he will be paying attention more to the national scenario more than the IXCR, but still wants to wrap up that title.
We will have a huge story with Wathen in the upcoming days. He was fantastic to talk to and is a rider on a mission.
Three laps of Ramblings:
1. Countdown is now 14 days to the Klotz Ironman.
2. Ben Hur Speedway fell victim to the weather last Saturday. The kart season finale is set for Oct. 17.
Practice starts at 5:30 p.m. Local drivers Top 3 in their classes: Mark Smith - first in Senior Sportsman and third in Super Heavy; Jaclyn LeJeune - first in Junior Sportsman 1; Alan Overfelt - third in Animal Heavy; John Sparks - third in Senior Sportsman; Damon Miller - secdnd in Junior Stock; Jacob Brown - first in Junior Animal and third in Junior Stock; and Dakota Davis - first in Lights and third in Animal Medium.
3. ARA prepares for its last 2009 event - Oct. 17 at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Reggie Perry is in the Top 10 of the JobCentral Pro Trucks. Brian Hedge and Mark Sweet are the top local drivers in the Cline Grain Late Models. The KOIL 600 series also races next Saturday.
Winner Circle's quote:
"Well, I don't know. If this economy doesn't pick up, I can't open the gates (2010)." - Kamp Motor Speedway owner Gayle Kamp on wlfi.com.
This week's Driver Power Ramblings Rankings:
1. Zac Wathen - Looks to extend his IXCR series lead Oct. 18 and clinch at the Ironman.
2. Dakota Davis - still in the running for two Ben Hur Speedway track titles.
3. Jaclyn LeJeune - strong season for the young lady at BHS and other tracks.
4. Jacob Wilson - won his heat at Winchester and gets ready for Phoenix.
This week's Track Power Ramblings Rankings:
1. Ironman course - no doubt the hype is starting to build to Oct. 24-25.
2. Ben Hur Speedway - one 2009 race left with momentum built for 2010.
3. Bi-State Raceway - I am serious saying I have never been there.
4. ARA at O'Reilly - special season ender Oct. 17.
God bless, let's go racing and always remember the real Victory Lane.
Rob Lee is a racing columnist for The Paper. He writes a weekly racing column called "Racing Ramblings," which can be read every Saturday. He can be e-mailed at montcoracing@yahoo.com.
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