Dustin Maherg, Catchfence.com Chat Transcript

DUSTIN MAHERG, CATCHFENCE.com CHAT TRANSCRIPT

ARCA Re/Max Series Sensation Dustin Maherg took the chance to come and talk to the fans on the chatroom at Catchfence.com last week. If you missed the chat, here is what Dustin had to say.

Chat Host: What does it mean to you to be racing in the ARCA Re/Max Series?

Dustin Maherg: It’s really a big privilege. Not to just be running in the ARCA Remax Series, but to be able to compete in it at such a young age. It’s really a good feeling to be apart of 'big time' racing at a young age, and I just hope I can succeed with it. Everyone with ARCA Remax are great people and also all the drivers as well.

Chat Host: What was the best thing about Nashville?

Dustin Maherg: The best thing about Nashville was that everyone was happy with me after the race. ARCA was pleased at me and that was the most important thing. My car owner, fans, family and everyone was happy for me too. Just knowing that everyone was happy with what I done that day made me feel good of myself and really makes me look forward to my next race.

Chat Host: What are your plans for the 2003 season?

Dustin Maherg: My 2003 plans really depend on sponsorship. Unfortunately, we are unable to pick up a sponsorship so far this year, but maybe my time is coming. Being out of school now, I really hope the good Lord will bless with me good things next year. My schedule can be full time next year, so what I do depends on what kind of sponsorship program we can gather up.

Chat Host: who has been your biggest supporters while in racing?

Dustin Maherg: My big supporters by far have to be my fans and family. If it wasn't for my family, I wouldn't be able to race period. If it wasn't for my fans supporting me, I don't know what I would do. Just having everyone behind me makes me feel comfortable with what I do, and that's what keeps me wanting more.

Chat Host: What is it like to have worked with a guy like Andy Belmont?

Dustin Maherg: Well, being able to be on such a prepared team helps a lot. Andy Belmont Motorsports has been in the racing industry so long, they have good cars no matter where they go. They have prepared me such an awesome car everywhere I have drove so far, it has allowed me to adapt to the race cars faster. Everyone on Andy's team is so supportive to me, means a lot as well. Andy and his crew chief gives me tips and helps me out whatever way I might need. All this adds up, and basically, I am lucky to be apart of such a great team.

Chat Host: What are your thoughts about racing at Kentucky? What do you think about the track its self?

Dustin Maherg: Kentucky Speedway is a very beautiful facility. I haven’t seen the track in person, just pictures. Just going to go into the race at Kentucky with the same motive as I did at Nashville. That motive is just to finish the race and gather seat time

Chat Host: Who is your favorite NASCAR Winston Cup driver?

Dustin Maherg: My favorite driver is Jeff Gordon. Tons of people don't like him, but I have my reasons. For a racecar drive to build a new team takes a lot. Jeff Gordon done that with a team, and also won a championship with that team.

Chat Host: What does it mean to you to have your whole family supportive of your racing career?

Dustin Maherg: It is really great. Every since I started racing, they have supported me 110% at what I do.

Chat Host: Dustin what are some of the things that you like to do when you aren't racing or in school?

Dustin Maherg: My biggest interest away from racing is computers. If I am not doing something to do with racing, my time is spent on my computer designing web pages, web graphics, and all sorts of other things.

Chat Host: How, intense was it being out there on that track with all those drivers?

Dustin Maherg: I wasn't never really tensed up. I was comfortable in the car that Andy Belmont Motorsports prepared for me, which helped me out a lot. Getting the seat time that I got at testing and also from practice the day before the race, I was really looking forward to the race.

Chat Host: how old were you when you first got into the world of racing?

Dustin Maherg: I 1st started racing at the age of 5 in yard kart division at a local track.

Chat Host: In ARCA, Do you have your own pit crew?

Dustin Maherg: Right now, we are using Andy's crew. They have done an awesome job getting me in and out of the pits at Nashville, which helped me out a lot. We do have a local pit crew that dedicates their time to help me during the week and also on the weekends.

Chat Host: What the biggest thing that you have learned in Nashville?

Dustin Maherg: Biggest thing I learned at Nashville would have to be pacing my time in a long race. That was my 1st time to run a long race, so there was a big learn curve that I went over at Nashville. Just glad to have that over my shoulders, and really looking forward to have a good run at Kentucky

Chat Host: What were you thoughts on the ARCA Re/Max Race from Salem?

Dustin Maherg: The guys put on a great show at Salem. I was really proud of the run that my car owner, Andy Belmont, had at Salem. He had a very fast race and led a lot of laps. I would like to congratulate the Kimmel crew for their second win this season everyone did a great job in my opinion.

Chat Host: How did you get involved with Andy Belmont?

Dustin Maherg: I met Andy Belmont last year at Talladega in the garage area. We started to talk to him, and he took over and hour to speak with us about the different levels of racing. Taking a hour out of his schedule on race day really meant a lot to us.

Chat Host: What is the biggest difference between driving at a short track and a superspeedway?

Dustin Maherg: The biggest different is on the short track, you have to slow the car down. On the speedways, you basically can drive wide open the whole time. That was one of the many things I had to learn at Nashville

Chat Host: How can race fans contact Dustin Maherg?

Dustin Maherg: Fans, can reach me at DustinMaherg@aol.com Also you can visit my website http://www.dustinmaherg.com

Chat Host: Do you feel pressured running with guys like Jason Jarrett, Frank Kimmel and young guns like. Blount, Montgomery, and Howard

Dustin Maherg: It is hard competing again such professional drivers. With some more seat time, I am really hoping that our team can put a package together next year

Chat Host/Erin Manning: With Nashville being your first ARCA race, how did the fans and people of Nashville accept you?

Dustin Maherg: Everyone was really nice. That’s what the coolest part about the whole deal was. The media, fans, and also the people with ARCA. Having every ones support got me through my first race and looking forward to my second race in the ARCA Remax Series.

Chat Host: Where would you like to be in five years?

Dustin Maherg: I would like to see myself in the Winston Cup division. That’s a high goal to shoot for, but goals are meant to reach. With a little help of sponsorship and the good Lord watching over me, I will be able to reach all my goals in life.

Chat Host: We would like to Thank Dustin Maherg for being with us here tonight, and also the fans that took some time to come and chat with us.

Dustin Maherg: Goodnight everyone and thanks again for being here tonight!

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