Epping Gene Wilson preview

championship

EPPING, NH. - Gene Wilson can't help but smile. Winning five national events in one season is good for invoking a grin or two. At least that's how the 28-year old, Canton, Ga.-based driver sees it.

He sees the potential for winning the title, but refuses to count his chickens before they hatch.

"If we can just continue to make good runs and not have stupid errors, we might can do well," explained Wilson. "As far as now, we're gonna leave the calculator put up for now. We still have sixteen rounds of competition to go. Like I say, we aren't going to count our chickens before they hatch. We are happy with the success that have had thus far."

At some point when you're winning 72 - 0, with 5:00 left in the fourth quarter, one has to concede victory is imminent.

"We don't want to come out here and say that we re going to do this and do that," Wilson confided. "We try to always let the car speak for itself. As long as we can continue to make good runs and win rounds, we should be able to end this season on a high note."

Needless to say, Wilson sees some jeers from the competition as he walks by. He takes it all in stride.

"You really find out who your friends are real quick," confided Wilson. "There are a lot of rumors floating around and I guess that goes with the territory. I remember back in 1999 when Chris Holbrook won his championship. A lot of people talked about him too and as I said, it goes with the territory. "

So, from the outside looking in as another, how would Wilson view himself?

"I'd hate him," he responded.

Wilson will have the opportunity to move closer to his first championship during this weekend at the IHRA Amalie Oil North American Nationals in Epping, NH.

-gwr