PORT ELGIN, ON- In just two short seasons of competition, Nick Goetz has gone from a novice, fresh out of the grandstands, to a promising up-and-comer on the verge of a breakout season.
With the 2014 season fast approaching, Goetz is armed with the support of one of Canada’s most successful teams and a brand new chassis, ready to do battle with the Limited Late Model division’s elite.
“We have high hopes for our 2014 season” says Goetz in a recent shakedown session at Sunset Speedway. “I’m incredibly lucky to be aligned with Ed Hakonson Racing. The amount of work they’ve put forward to make sure we’re ready for opening might is unmeasurable”.
For ‘Livewire’, 2014 preparation started shortly after the 2013 edition of the Autumn Colours Classic in October. With the purchase of a brand new chassis, and a complete revamping of his entire program, the Port Elgin, ON native hasn’t had much time to spare.
“We haven’t taken many weekends off, that’s for sure”, responds Goetz with a laugh when asked how many man-hours have been utilized this off-season. “We’ve been working hard. Every single week. We want to make sure we’re ready. This is a brand new chassis, and we’re putting absolutely everything into this program to make sure we’re ready to go, right out of the box on May 3rd”.
Goetz will kick start his 2014 season in a big way, competing against some of the top ranked drivers in Ontario, in the first annual Spring Derby 100 presented by Great Lakes Concrete.
“I think opening up the season with an invitational is a genius move”, says Goetz. “I can’t think of a better way to welcome a new season than to gather the very best drivers in one place. Whoever walks out with the win on May 3rd is going to have a lot of momentum on their side, and our team plans on doing everything in our power to make sure it’s us”.
With two full seasons of competition under his belt, Goetz explains that intimidation has become a thing of the past.
“When I first started out, I would race against some of these veterans and it would rattle me a little bit. Subconsciously, I let them push me around. But one of the most important messages that [driver coach] Jason Hathaway has given me, is that regardless of how long some of these guys have been racing for, they’re just another competitor. I don’t allow them to intimidate me now. On the speedway, they’ve got a car, the same as me. They weigh the same as me. And they have the same chance to win as I do”.
Nick Goetz pilots a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis, with marketing support from Lake Huron Rod & Gun, Mondo Car Wash, The Auto Spa, Shoreline Beacon, Kincardine News, The Ticket Line, Austin Graphics, Van Dolders Windows & Doors, TA Stewart & Son and Great Lakes Concrete.
Fans can follow Nick on Twitter @NGMotorsports24.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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