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Show Covering what matters most' orts SP WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008 • A9 Need for SF driver makes pro racing debut Chad Vest STAFF WRITER Shane Hubbard is a lifelong resident from Spanish Fork who recently made his NASC AR racing debut less than two weeks ago at Miller Sports Park in Tooele. Hubbard and his team (GL Hubbard and sons Trucking Ford) finished 20th overall ($2100 in winnings) in their opening debut in this NASCAR event. Their team finished 41 laps around the oval track and earned 103 points compared to 185 by the leader. Qualifying and competing in a NASCAR event is no small feat by any means. It is a big step towards having a successful career and Hubbard's team is the lone team to compete out of Utah. "When I finally got the opportunity, it was a great feeling," said the 37 year old. "It's pretty exciting to be the only guy from Utah in NASCAR. We're the only NASCAR licensed team here." It is essential to._ have an experienced. driver and to build a good reputation with the support of many sponsors. Sponsors donate money which will in turn help provide the team with a top quality car, funds for an experienced crew and sufficient means to enter big time events. It is very difficult to enter this big stage of NASCAR racing. It takes more than just a talented driver and good car. "NASCAR is pretty challenging," said Hubbard with a chuckle. "It's hard to get things going right. I've been back to North Carolina which is the headquarters of NASCAR. While back there, we Courtesy photo ROADWORTHY: Spanish Fork's Shane Hubbard recently made his NASCAR racing debut at Miller Sports Park in Tooele. learned things, met people and that's how we got going." His father Gary is a retired race-car driver who began competing in the early seventies. He was crowned champion in two NASCAR events at Salt Lake and Suntana. Together as father and son, they've been around the sport for a very long time. Both of them run the show at GL Hubbard and Sons Trucking here in town. Their company is responsible for hauling scrapped pieces of prepared metal for Western Metals Recycling. Hubbard said that he and his team have several sponsors in Utah County which generously support them including there own company but they are always gracious when new ones come on board. During each race, the driver has to communicate to his chief just how the car feels and what repairs need to be done at each pit stop. Therefore, without a fast reliable crew, the driver wouldn't be able to compete. "Your pit crew and chief are just as important as the driver," said Hubbard. "They're also just as important as the car because if they don't know what they're doing, you're lost too. All of our crew is from Calif, because there's not a lot of experienced crew guys in Utah." On the track in Tooele, Hubbard's black Ford old cut mustang car exceeded 150mph on several occasions. In a simplistic way. he mentioned what he likes most about being a race-car driver which is being by himself in a 3400 lbs. car and being able to maneuver it around the track. Children and teenagers have long enjoyed race car video games but not just anyone can be a successful pro racer. "It's not all speed," said Hubbard. "You gotta have the car set up, you gotta know how to drive it, have the feeling for it. Racing takes a lot of money and knowledge. There are a lot of people that might say, 'I could do that' but there's a reason why everybody's not doing it." Growing up, other than idolizing his dad, Hubbard's favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt SR. and Ron Hornaday (who races trucks). Although Daytona is his dream destination for competition as he called it "The Superbowl of NASCAR." Hubbard is having a blast. His next NASCAR race will be in mid-Oct. in Irwindale Calif, and already his team has high expectations of a top ten finish. With a first ever NASCAR race in his rear-view mirror, he's determined to climb his way to the top. Local chiropractor assists with Tour of Utah Danielle Jones STAFF WRITER The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah is the toughest cycling race in America and internationally recognized as a rival to some of the most famous cycling races in the world. It is five stages, 336 miles long with 30,000 feet of climbing that will all take place within a 100 mile radius. The extremely challenging race will take place Aug. 13-17 and will pass through Salt Lake City, Nephi, Ogden and Park City. "The race is a five day event where the top US bike teams come together to compete against each other," said Brent Wall. This prestigious race has ties to Spanish Fork through local chiropractor Brent Wall who will be the team chiropractor for The Utah All-Stars cycling team during the tour. His role will be to provide pre-race treatments, like stretching and muscle < Courtesy photo EXTRA CARE: Spanish Fork's Brent Wall will provide pre- and post-race treatments for the Utah All-Stars during the Tour of Utah, Aug. 13-17. work, and post race care which include addressing sore muscles, treating any injuries that occurred and injury management. "It's a neat experience to rub shoulders with professional riders and to be able to provide chiropractic services to these athletes. Not only do I help them with back and neck pain, but I help prepare them to perform to their optimal level," said Wall. He became involved with the tour when he approached Canyon Bicycles, a sponsor for the Utah AllStars, about offering his services as chiropractor to the racers. They were more than happy to accept his service. "It's great to feel a part of the team and have them excited to have me there. The riders really appreciate my service," said Wall. Wall has been a chiro- practor for three years and has been located on Main Street in Spanish Fork for a year and a half. He was raised in Salem, is married and has a one-year old daughter. "My goal as a chiropractor is not only to help eliminate pain, but to keep them feeling better so they can get back to the hobbies they love to do in life," said Wall. If you are interested in learning more about the Tour of Utah cycling race visit their website www. tourofutah.com for more information. |