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NASCAR Cup

Gilliland shares Brickyard magic with son

Young racer following in dad's tire tracks

Published: Jul 25, 2013, 11:23 AM

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David Gilliland, Ford

STATESVILLE, N.C. (July 23, 2013) - The annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis (Ind.) Motor Speedway isn't until this weekend, but David Gilliland has already been to the famed Brickyard this month for some serious racing. The driver of the No. 38 Long John Silver's Ford visited the track several weeks ago to watch his 13-year-old son, Todd, compete in the USAC "Battle at the Brickyard" in quarter midget competition.

The teenage Gilliland is third in a line of racing Gillilands, following his father and his grandfather, Butch. David Gilliland enjoyed seeing his son race in the historic venue and looks forward to returning to the site for this weekend's Samuel Deeds 400 at the Brickyard. He has five starts at the 2.5-mile oval and two top-20 finishes.

Comments from Long John Silver's team driver David Gilliland heading to Indianapolis:

David Gilliland, Ford

Photo by: Action Sports Photography

"Indy's an important race, it's a big deal. I was just there, actually. My son had a big quarter midget race there. So he's learning the importance and the history of the Brickyard, too. Just being there and seeing how it excited all those kids and knowing how much that particular racetrack means to motorsports, it's just special.

"It was a good reminder going back there with him and we're looking forward to going there for the Cup race. It's a big race that comes just past the mid-point of our season and we're putting a lot into it. Hopefully we can have a great day and come out of there with a good finish.

"It's very difficult getting around there. It wasn't built for a stock car. That's the interesting part about going there. It's kind of narrow and pretty flat and just unique. It's fun going there but it always presents its own challenges. But we've made some really big strides in our program this year with Frank Kerr, my crew chief. Tracks that, in the past, have been challenging for us, we're making gains on and getting better finishes. So, I'm eager to get to Indy and see what we can do."

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