SPARTAN SNAPSHOTS
by Michelle Sprague
The following is an interview conducted with Springport Motor peedway's 2006 Street Stock Champion, Walt Obrinske Jr.
Michelle: Your family sits at the top of the grandstands between the chute at the top of turn four and the start/finish line right? Tell me a little about them and yourself.
Walt Jr.: My family sits in turn 4 at most tracks that we race at. A little about my family? Well, let's see, I have an amazing fiancé and two awesome little boys that I love very much. I wouldn't be as successful as I am today without them. A little about myself? Um-well, I'm 26 and I've been racing cars, off and on, since I was 5. I have an amazing passion for circle track racing, and love the racing community and what it stands for. I was born to race! Racing is all I've wanted to do all my life. It may only be a street stock, but I'm happy with it.
Michelle: How did you get started in racing and why?
Walt Jr.: I started racing because I was drawn to it like a magnet. If I wasn't at the track, I felt like I was missing something. Racing has been a way of life for me.
Michelle: Is there someone that influenced your decision to race?
Walt Jr.: No one really comes to mind. I was kind of on my own when it came to racing, until I got a little older.
Michelle: Did you have any idea at the start of 2006, that you'd capture a championship?
Walt Jr.: As a race car driver, I, along with every other driver out there, get strapped inside that race car to win, not lose. When I was putting the final touches on my race car last winter, I told my crew members that this was going to be my first championship season. At first, I was kidding with them to see what they would say, but when the season started, the momentum, and team chemistry, gave us a pretty good idea this was going to be our season.
Michelle: I guess you lived up to the quote that is on your car "Work hard, or stay home." Any significance to that quote?
Walt Jr.: The quote comes from my biggest sponsor, FM Drywall. The slogan is the way you get things done.
Michelle: With the future of Springport uncertain, will you race at Spartan?
Walt Jr.: I would love to race at Spartan, but the excavating business takes up too much time for me to race every Friday night, but no matter what, I will make certain appearances at Spartan in 2007.
Michelle: Anyone that you'd like to thank? Family, sponsors, crew?
Walt Jr.: First, I would like to thank my fiancé and two little boys. I would like to thank my Dad for all the incredible support. I would like to also thank Scott and Danette Moe, with FM Drywall, for ALL the awesome support. I would like to thank Rob Marten Sr. and Rob Jr. for all their help during the winter. I have the best crew and best friends that a country boy like me could have. Steve Smith, Scott England, Paul Ashba, Scott Workman, Denny Richie MOE! I would like to thank all my sponsors, Walt Obrinske and Son excavating, FM Drywall, R&M Building Systems, Coachlite Inn, Marten Brothers Concrete, Dande Signs and Designs, and England Construction.
Michelle: What do you like about racing at Springport?
Walt Jr: It's a big, fast track. Very racy, close to home, and racing is on Saturday night.
Michelle: What's in store for 2007?
Walt Jr.: Not sure what's in store for 2007, but I do have an dea. I might race a Modified at Kalamazoo, or I'm going to race a Mod or Sportsman at Springport, depending on what happens with the rules and all at SMS.
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