Nichols drives for wins, not points

Travis Nichols doesn't care for the moniker of defending Street Stock champion.

It's not the champion part he despises, but the suggestion that he's hot to keep his claim on another title this year.

"Championships are great, and I worked hard last year to finally win one," says the 25-year-old Inverness driver. "But the real reason I'm out there on Saturday night is to win races. That's my whole goal this season."

Nichols is doing well in that department. He has three feature and six heat victories and the best winning percentage in his division. The fact that he's also leading in points is just icing on the cake.

"I've been fortunate because I didn't get the best start I could have this season," Nichols said. "But a lot of other guys have been having trouble with motors and I haven't so far. I guess that's been keeping me in it."

Though Nichols would welcome another crown, he admits he's less willing to endure the sacrifices and pressure that went with last year's championship.

"Last season was pretty stressful," he says. "Everything was about winning the championship and protecting points. It wasn't how I like to race."

"I'd like to get a few more wins before I even think about the championship," Nichols said.

Nichols has always prided himself at being competitive. He got his start at Citrus at age 15 in the entry-level Bomber class but was pulled after several races when track officials discovered he wasn't of legal driving age. But the teen had made his mark and returned the next season to finish third in the division.

Over the years however, it seemed Nichols struggled to put equipment on the track to match his skills as a driver. His shoestring budget never seemed to be quite enough to get the job done.

Last season, Nichols had all but decided to forgo the season when car owner John Wiley offered his No.2 Street Stock racer.

"The car has been really consistent and pretty fast most of the time," says Nichols. "A lot of what I accomplished was because the car ran so well every week.'

Over the winter, Nichols and Wiley refurbished the car but weren't able to finish before the season had begun. Three weeks into the season, Nichols unveiled the car, driving to a solid third-place finish.

While many of his rivals have suffered catastrophic blowups, Nichols has finished every race without engine problems. This week, he will debut a new engine.

CITRUS COUNTY SPEEDWAY

WHAT: All classes.

WHEN: Saturday. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstand gates at 4. The first heat race is scheduled for 6 p.m.

WHERE: Two miles south of Inverness on U.S. 41.

ADMISSION: Adult general, $12; seniors and students to age 17, $8; children 6-12, $6; children under 42 inches, $2; pits, $20.

INFORMATION: Call (352) 726-9339 or visit www.citruscountyspeedway.com.

POINTS STANDINGS

LATE MODEL: 1. Rex Struble, 826; 2. Raymond Lovelady, 740; 3. Mike Bresnahan, 646; 4. Jim Smith, 624; 5. Teddy Nelson, 554.

SPORTSMAN: 1. Mike Veltman, 1,224; 2. Bill Oesterreicher, 956; 3. George Neumann, 842; 4. Terry Cater, 758; 5. Mark Dominique, 728.

STREET STOCK: 1. Travis Nicholes, 952; 2. Mike Bell, 884; 3. James Green, 832; 4. Danny Cretty, 782; 5. Ernie Reed, 686.

MINI STOCK: 1. Robbie Yoakam, 1,202; 2. Rob Wheatley, 826; 3. Kevin Harrod, 684; 4. Jay McKenzie, 552; 5. Phillip Joyner Jr., 522.

HOBBY STOCK: 1. Tommy Smith, 1,234; 2. Richie Smith, 1,112; 3. Daniel Webster, 700; 4. Roy Perkins, 664; 5. Brandon Johnson, 656.

THUNDER STOCK: 1. Josh Teague, 1,012; 2. Stuart Madison, 952; 3. Robert Jordan, 866; 4. Lee Keller, 814; 5. Tim Wilson, 766.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright