Christian Elder

By Nikki Gonzales
May 30th 2001 - Racing on the Busch Grand National circuit can be a bit like Alice’s trip down the rabbit hole. At times exciting, thrilling, and yet even exasperating, and in the end it’s always a wonderland. From the first smell of rubber, to the rumble you feel on pit road when all 40 some engines rev to life, and that’s just from a fan’s perspective. Imagine being a driver, week to week, a new city and track, each time strapping in for the next adventure at marvelous speeds. Recently Christian Elder, driver of the number 38 Great Clips Ford, decelerated and answered a few questions.

1. What are your hobbies outside of racing?
I like to boat on Lake Norman, ski, scuba dive, hunt and fish with my dog Gunner, and workout.

2. When did you decide to start racing?
When I was in 10th grade, I started racing open wheel modifieds with my dad at the local speedway outside Minneapolis. When my dad asked if I wanted to start racing, I almost decided against it because I thought it would take up too much of my weekend time with my friends.

3. Advantages/Disadvantages to having Elton Sawyer as a teammate?
The biggest advantage is obvious- Elton is a successful veteran Busch driver with more experience than a lot of Winston Cup drivers. The biggest disadvantage is- He finishes in front of me all the time.

4. How does racing co-exist with personal relationships?
With all the travel, focus, and time that a racing career demands, personal relationships are very difficult to maintain.

5. What is the most important thing in a relationship for you?
Trust and respect.

6. Is it weird to have fans?
Pretty weird, but it means I'm doing something right for me and for Great Clips.

7. What is the oddest thing a fan did to grab your attention?
?

8. Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I always start the race with a fresh piece of gum.

9. Do you have any Good Luck Charms/Superstitions?
I have a St. Michael pendant to keep me safe.

10. What were your goals at the beginning of the season?
To start and finish each race.

11. Any changes to those goals now?
It sure would be nice to finish in the top 20 one of these races.

12. Where do you think you will you be next year?
I will be finishing in the top 20.

13. What preparations are you doing for the next race?
A little prayer, a lot of focus, and train, train, train.

14. What type of music do you enjoy the most?
Classics of all kinds.

15. What is a typical day for you (off track)?
Up early, workout, stop by the shop, work around the house, play with my lab Gunner, and make myself a good meal.

16. What is a typical day for you (on track)?
Up early, focus, practice, focus, qualify, focus, happy hour, focus, eat and sleep.

17. Most memorable moment this season?
Qualifying 15th at California.

18. Moment you wish you could forget this season is?
Missing Daytona by .011 of a second.

19. Is there anything you'd change?
An extra day of testing before Nazareth would've helped.

20. Advice to any "want-to-be" racers?
Stay focused and keep on racing. Hard work and determination are the keys.

21. Who is Christian Elder?
Christian Elder is a determined, focused, and happy man. Other than that- I'm just an ordinary guy with a very cool job.

Someone once said that when you find a job that you truly love you would never again have to work a day in your life. Guess that makes Christian fortunate to have such a “cool” job. Well that's it for this edition. Until next time remember Safety First!!!

Nikki

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