Grand-Am

SCC: Will Nonnamaker pre-season interview

NORTH CANTON, OH -- This season, Will teamed with his brother Wayne to capture the Grand-Am Cup ST II title. This championship gives Will the unique distinction of being the only two-time champion in the sophomore season of the Grand-Am Cup. Will's ...

Edited: Dec 21, 2009, 5:26 AM

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NORTH CANTON, OH -- This season, Will teamed with his brother Wayne to capture the Grand-Am Cup ST II title. This championship gives Will the unique distinction of being the only two-time champion in the sophomore season of the Grand-Am Cup. Will's 10 victories, 18 podiums, and 687 driver points ranks him tops in the Street Stock Endurance Series rankings.

Question: It seems like only yesterday we were talking about the 2001 season.

Will Nonnamaker: Yes, this past season just flew by, but it was a really an enjoyable season.

Question: How do you feel about sharing the Driver Championship?

Will Nonnamaker: Endurance racing is all about the team and two drivers working together for the championship. I really have to thank everyone at Grand-Am for making the points rule change allowing drivers to share the same points.

Question: What was it like to have your brother as your co-driver?

Will Nonnamaker: Winning the championship with Wayne for the second time was really special. I have been very fortunate to have the best Young Gun in the series as my starting driver. He not only has amazing speed, but his consistency and maturity belies his true age. Since he has been racing for so long, people think Wayne is older than he is. Actually, Wayne is only 24 and already has two pro titles and one amateur title.

Question: What was your most memorable experience of the 2002 season?

Will Nonnamaker: You would think it would be one of the races my brother Wayne and I won together, but it isn't. My favorite race was Phoenix. Our team was able to capture our first GS I race win in the ORISON Marketing Corvette, and place our King Motorsports Integras on both the ST I and II podiums.

Question: What has been the key in making your team so successful?

Will Nonnamaker: Everyone on our team has an assigned job to do and we all work extra hard to make sure proper preparation is achieved to get us to victory circle. There are times we are the last ones in the paddock, and then the first ones there in the morning. But it is all worth it in the end.

Question: There has been a lot of conversation about the ST II class. What are your opinions?

Will Nonnamaker: I feel that there is no better entry level professional class in sports car racing. You can build a competitive ST II racer for a 1/3 less than a ST I. The class had some new cars and drivers entering the series, including the Ford Focus. Our drivers Tony Nuzzo and Michiel Schuitemaker both drove with on our team. Now they are starting their own ST I and GSII teams after running in the STII class this season.

Question: What accomplishment in motorsports are your most proud of?

Will Nonnamaker: I think that starting TheRaceSite.com was the best accomplishment we have had in motorsports. I say this because I feel that the site has helped to bring the awareness and popularity of sports car racing to the fans.

Question: What are you plans for the off-season?

Will Nonnamaker: The Team is working to get everything prepared for test days. We have been in meetings with several corporate partners that will be coming on board next year and that is very exciting.

Question: What goals have you set for yourself for next season?

Will Nonnamaker: Just because we won this year, it means nothing next year. We have to act like we are new to the class. As soon as you take on the attitude that you are the past champion, you are guaranteed to lose. But if we take it race by race, then hopefully the team will be in a position again to win the championship.

Joe Nonnamaker pre-season interview
Wayne Nonnamaker pre-season interview

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