Aaron's 312 - Steve Grissom Notes

Steve Grissom Notes, Quotes: Aaron’s 312
‘The Racing Pride of Alabama’

Returning to his home state, this weekend Steve Grissom and the #36 DCT Motorsports Chevrolet team head to the 2.66-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for Saturday’s Aaron’s 312. Grissom is a native of Gadsden, Ala., where he came up through the ranks of stock car racing. Grissom learned his craft racing at the Talladega Short Track located across the street from the Superspeedway.

DCT Motorsports is led by championship and veterans Grissom and crew chief Ricky Pearson. Named for the idea “Dreams Come True,” owners John McGill and Carl Natale – “two guys from Cleveland building a future in motorsports,” they refer to themselves – have developed the sport’s most cost-efficient, sponsor-friendly marketing setup. It is based on giving full value to sponsors, and utilizing the many business-to-business contacts McGill, a developer, and Natale, a major earthwork contractor, have in place.

Grissom serves as driver and general manager for the team. Hot up-and-coming Travis Geisler is the team’s other driver, and wheeled the DCT Motorsports Chevrolet in the team’s last outing at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

DCT Motorsports, seeking sponsorship for next year and the remainder of this season, plans on running a 25-race schedule in 2004, hitting all of the major NASCAR Busch Series events and markets. One of the most comprehensive sponsorship packages in any form of motorsports, DCT offers a complete package of top racing equipment, hospitality, public relations, publicity, appearances and show cars.

The thoughts of DCT Chevrolet driver Steve Grissom heading into Talladega:

“Talladega is really close to home, and any time you race at your home track you want to do well for a lot of reasons. I’ve got family, friends and a lot of supporters at Talladega. A lot of them come over from my hometown of Gadsden (Ala.) and I always want to do well for them. I want to do well all the time, and there is always that pressure that you put on yourself, but I especially want to do well at Talladega.

“There have been so many people in and around Talladega that have helped me throughout my career. I always want to give them something back - especially here at my home track. So many people come and up and say ‘hey’ and ask how we’re doing when I am at home. It makes it a lot more fun when you have people rooting for you rather than against you, that’s for sure.

“It’s something about the fans at Talladega. They are pretty passionate about their racing and about their track. You certainly don’t want to say anything bad about Talladega. The fans from Alabama take it pretty personally because they have a lot of pride. It really doesn’t matter who you are, or what you might say, if you don’t have anything good to say about Talladega, the state of Alabama, or its fans it’s best not to say anything at all. If you do say something bad, you better apologize - fast! We have a lot of history and tradition here in Alabama, and we take our racing really seriously.

“Everyone remembers the ‘Alabama Gang’ with the Allisons and Neil Bonnett. They put Hueytown on the map, and made Alabama a hotbed for racing superstars. They never had more support than when they raced at Talladega. Those days have now passed and the fans have looked for other Alabama drivers to support. I feel pretty honored to be one of them racing this weekend. I know that my home state fans are some of the best in the country. They have always supported me, through all the ups and downs. I am privileged to have some of the most passionate fans in all of racing. It makes a difference knowing that I’ve got thousands of people in my corner this weekend.

“The track is like an old friend now. I’ve turned in a bunch of laps testing, racing, testing some more, and racing even more. I don’t know if there is any one certain thing I like about the track, it’s just a great track. There is plenty of excitement for the drivers and fans and everyone is getting their money’s worth.

“You always hear people wanting to get tickets to Talladega. I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked. It’s just the place to be anytime we roll into town. I am excited to return. It’s a matter of hometown pride this weekend, and I am looking to give it my best for myself, this DCT Chevrolet team, and for everyone who has supported me in the area throughout my career.”