Jeff Holbrook likes to do things in a big way. Whether it is work or racing related, go big or go home seems to be the motto. Each car owner comes into Classic Weekend looking for a chance to take home a win. Jeff not only has a chance to take home a win this weekend, he has four. Holbrook Racing has three entries ready to go for the Saturday ISMA show, while Sunday, they are focusing their efforts on one driver, and one car.
Turning to the Saturday ISMA Supernationals, the three-headed monster of Russ Wood, Bobby Magner and Jeff will be looking for the checkered flag in the 50-lap event. Currently, the Russ Wood driven #29 is just 24 points behind Mike Lichty coming into Labor Day, while the #35 is the only other car less than 100 behind Lichty, in third spot. The highlight of 2010 so far for Russ Wood is taking the win at the Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh. Wood is a six time ISMA national champion, and looks for title number 7 in 2010.
“Russell is a very consistent driver, he’s always around the front,” Jeff said just days before the race. “Not to wish any bad luck on Brad and Mike, but Russell is consistent, week in and week out, and we’d like to think he’s the favorite for the championship.”
“Mike has had a very good year, we just wait for him to not finish as well as he had,” Jeff answered. “Mike has had a great start to the year. But, I would like to think Russell would get by him before the end of the year.”
Driving chores for the silver #35 Classic Weekend will be taken over by car owner Jeff Holbrook. Robbie Summers recently has had a string of top finishes, but Robbie has prior commitments for Saturday. That string saw Robbie take the win in the ISMA race Saturday of Delaware weekend, as well as a pair of second place finishes on Hy-Miler Saturday. “He’s got something going on Saturday, he won’t be here Saturday,” Jeff relayed. “It wasn’t our original idea to have Robbie run so many shows, but he’s done so well, we changed from the original plan. He has a concert or something he’s going to, so I’ll be driving it Saturday.”
Jeff then reflected about the last time he ran Oswego with a wing on. “We were doing well, I think we had a chance to win it,” he remembered. “The car was really fast that race. We got caught up with Keith Shampine I think it was, and it went away from there. We’ll put the same set up in it, and hopefully it should be just as fast again. It should be a good race, we’re looking forward to it.”
Rounding out the three pronged attack fort the ISMA race will be the return of Bobby Magner to the 41 car. The #41 has seen time on both the ISMA and Oswego circuits, and the team has scratched their heads trying to get the car running well both with and without a wing. “The car is primarily run with a wing, it’s better with a wing on it. We’re looking forward to having Bobby run the car, and run strong in it.” Magner wheeled the #41 to a podium finish at Airborne, behind teammate Wood.
International Classic Sunday, Team Holbrook is centered around one car, and one team, Russ Wood in the #35. Jeff explained, “Everyone will be here. Bobby and I will be the tire changers, Brian will be calling the shots, and we’re centering everything around Russell for the Classic. We really want him to win one before he retires.”
“He’s won everything you can win in supermodifieds, except the Classic, that’s it. Sunday is his day. We’re going after it, and we think we have the car and driver that can get the job done. We really want it, but we want it for Russell more than anything.”
“With Brian, you get Russell,” Jeff answered about how Wood, a New Englander came to drive for him, an Oswego car owner. “Brian did the shocks for us when we had the Muldoon cars. When Paul passed away, we talked with Brian, and he came to work for us. Russell had driven with Louie for a while, but whatever happened with them happened, and it worked out for us. Russ came with us, and it’s worked out great ever since.”
“We’ve become good friends,” Jeff expanded. “His entire family, they’re just really good people. They’re the best. We enjoy being around each other, and we generally have fun. It’s worked out nice too, as the Dunigan guys still work together. They’re all a lot of fun, just a good bunch to race and travel with.”
“Actually, it’s nice, because the entire ISMA organization watches out for each other,” Jeff went on. “It really is a tight knot community on and off the track. If something happens on track, it’s talked out and forgotten about next time around. It’s a really nice series.”
Jeff then got back to the Classic. “Brian has worked on the car for two years,” he thought. “it’s fast. It’s a good car to drive, but lately, it’s been evil. When it’s good, it’s really good, but it’s been loose the past three races, loose off the corner.”
Jeff has the best in the supermodified business giving the #35 a good once over before the biggest supermodified race of the year. “Brian has it, and is giving it a good going over,: he said confidently. “He took it a few days ago, and he’s got it. If there is something of with the car, anything at all, he’ll find it.”
Looking back to Russ’s last Classic, Jeff was encouraged. “Last time Russ ran the Classic, I think was 02. He won the pole, and finished like 6th or 7th. He’s funny, I just got off the phone with him, and he’s really nervous. He asked me if I wanted to take the car, and run it, and that he wasn’t good enough. Here is Russ Wood, one of the best supermodified drivers ever, thinking he’s not good enough. “
“Sunday is going to be his day, and we really want to see him do well.”
JWJ Industries, Seabird Environmental, Sweet Manufacturing, New England Motor Racing Supply and Hoosier Tire East are the sponsors that help pay the bills for the team.
They are all looking forward to this weekend’s competition. They are going with the team approach on Saturday, and concentrating their efforts on Sunday. It sounds like the best of both worlds, and Jeff Holbrook, Russ Wood, and Bobby Magner all have a legitimate shot at taking the checkered flag this weekend. Jeff has four chances to win as an owner this weekend, and an impressive list of drivers in his stable that are very capable of getting the job done.