(July 5, 2016) Speedway 660 has got some pretty fast kids. Take a look at our driver roster and you’ll see several former bandolero kids running street stock, sportsman and pro stock. One of those young guns is 15 year old Riley Goodwin who is a rookie in the DMR Auto Sales Street Stock Division. Wade Wilson had a chat with Riley about his racing career. 

A Conversation with Riley Goodwin

Wade: Hey Riley congrats on moving up to street stock. You’ve had a few weeks to get used to the street stock division, so how’s it going?

Riley: It’s going really well Wade, we are having some issues with the car, but we will figure them out! We had the little Bando car running pretty good when we stepped out of it at the end of last season and it’s taking a little time to get the street stock car where we want it to be. It is also taking me a little while to get used to the heavier car and bigger engine. Riley won his fair share of races when he ran bandolero cars at Speedway 660. He finished strong last season before moving up to the DMR Auto Sales Street Stock Division in 2016. 

Wade: You’ve had some pretty good success in racing with a go-kart rookie of the year back in 2012, followed the very next year with the karting championship.  In 2014 you had a top ten in bando points and last year shot up to third. So even though you are one of the youngest drivers on the 660 roster, you’ve got a lot of experience. How did the karts and bandos prepare you for what you’re doing now?

Riley:  Well back in 2012 we started out with the karts and we were pretty successful! Then going to the Bandos was pretty much the same thing just bigger and enclosed. I think the Bandos have produced some really good drivers over the years and we enjoyed racing with them, but after last year we decided it was time to move up to a street stock! The karts and bandos got me used to racing at a young age. Those bandos are fast, the competition was intense and the racing was pretty tight. I had a couple of wrecks too, so I got over any fear I might have had in a race car.Riley started his racing career in a go-kart with the rookie of the year award, followed by a championship.  Several youngsters on the Speedway 660 driver’s roster started in karts and bandos. BTW that’s Riley’s little brother Lucas in the photo and he’s probably wondering when he’s going to get a chance to race!

Wade: You come from a racing family. Why don’t you tell us about the family racing history?

Riley: Well back in the good ole days my Great Grandfather Floyd used to race in River Glade and then my Grandfather Marshall got into it! He eventually brought my Dad Bob into racing and he ran Streetstocks and Sportsmans all his life! Then in 2012, I started going around in circles. I am very proud to be called a 4th generation driver! Riley Goodwin is the fourth generation of his family to drive a race car. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all pretty good wheelmen, but young Riley might just end up being the fastest Goodwin of them all! 

Wade: What’s it like going out on the track now and racing against Rick Cashol, a five time champion, and other veterans like Roger Slocum and Rob Raynes?

Riley: I find it really fun Wade! It is a pleasure to run against them and earn their respect. It is a blast to be able to race with these veterans! And it’s also a lot of fun to line up beside some of my former bando competitors too.

Wade: I hope those old timers are treating you ok. In case you haven’t heard, street stock racing can be a little rough at times!

Riley: We haven’t had any issues yet! But yes street stock racing can be very rough but fun at the same time. I think it is a great division where younger drivers can learn about racing, improve their skills and eventually move up to sportsman or pro stock if that’s what they decide to do.Riley gets underneath Rob Raynes in a recent street stock race at 660. Racing against veteran drivers and a defending point champion like Raynes is giving Riley confidence.

Wade: You raced against Courtney O’Blenis back in bando. She was our street stock rookie of the year last season and finished third in points. Does seeing Courtney have that kind of success inspire and motivate you to have a great season?

Riley: It is going to be very hard to be able to do as good as her. She’s got three feature wins already this season. But all we can do is try and have the best season we can and try to be in the running for the DMR Auto Sales Street Stock rookie of the year! Courtney O’Blenis raced against Riley for a few years in our bando division. She was street stock rookie of the year in 2015 and chasing a championship this season.  Riley is in the running for the 2016 rookie of the year and it might not be too long before he’s up there in the championship discussion.

Wade: The Street Stock 75 is coming right up this weekend. That will be the longest race you’ve ever run. What are your thoughts heading into that one?

Riley: I can’t wait Wade! You are right, I never have run a longer race like that. I think it will be a blast if the car if working good and there are no issues. So we’ll put in some extra time in the shop this week and go over the car to make sure everything is as good as we can make it for the big 75 lap race.

Wade: Which drivers do you look up to at Speedway 660 and who do you like is NASCAR?

Riley: I have always looked up to Lonnie Sommerville! He has been a huge role model for me even before I got into racing. I remember drawing him pictures, when I was a little kid,  and wishing him good luck before every race! Hopefully someday I can be just like him. I’ve always liked Dale Earnhardt Jr in NASCAR. He has just been my favourite driver since I was super little! Lonnie Sommerville and his Dad Billy are the only father and son to both win pro stock titles at Speedway 660. Riley really looks up to Lonnie and dreams of one day becoming a champion just like his hero!

Wade: We know you’ve got a pretty good car, because Justin Cole had some success with it before he moved up to sportsman. What are the main differences between driving a bando and street stock?

Riley:  It is a huge difference! It seems like we are going a lot slower in the bigger car. And you have to let off the gas in the corners with the street stocks. With the Bandos it was all momentum and you would lose momentum if you let off the gas. In the street stock if you mess up and you have a good car you can always catch them again! Fifteen year old Riley Goodwin was comfortable in the bandolero car in 2015, but now he has to get used to driving a much heavier car against some pretty stout competition. So far Riley is doing a great job and having an awesome time. 

Wade: I know you are focused on having a good first season in the DMR Street Stock Division, but can you tell us where you might like to go in racing in the future?

Riley: I would like to move up to sportsman before I am too much older. Someday maybe I could be a driver like Lonnie Sommerville and be a top contender in the RE/MAX Pro Stock division. That would be a huge accomplishment for me!

Wade: What grade are you in and what do you like to do when you aren’t working on or driving your race car?

Riley: I am going into grade 10 this fall and I like to play every sport my school offers! I play basketball, volleyball, track and field, badminton, soccer, and cross country! I am very busy all times of the year! Racing is just something the Goodwin men do. Riley is proud to be a fourth gen driver and Bob is pretty proud of his boy too!

Wade: We talked about your family racing history earlier and I’ll bet you get lots of support from family and friends to help you go racing every week.

Riley: I am very thankful to have  a family like mine! They support me not only in racing, but in all of my other sports. I would personally like to thank all of my sponsors: WR Gillespie; Barrie Morecraft Trucking; D. Gillespie & Sons Trucking; Pubs Drive Thru Bottle Exchange; TNL Motorsports; Lonnie Sommerville Racing; Auto Value; Lincoln Auto and; Justin Cole Racing. And I would like to thank Cousin Bill and Christine; Darren Nason; Terry Gaines; Uncle Jamie; Tony Garvin; Luc McLaughlin and most of all my Mom and Dad!! Riley is the driver of the #77 street stock, but he’s got lots of support. There’s always lots of work to do on race day and the youngest Goodwin is pretty pleased to have some experienced crew members under the hood. 

Wade: Thanks for doing this Riley. Best of luck this season and have a great run at the big 75 lapper.

Riley:   Thank you Wade! I always check out these conversations on the Speedway 660 web site and appreciate having the opportunity to do one. I want to thank everyone at 660 for providing us with a great place to race. All of the street stock drivers are glad we’ve got DMR Auto Sales on board as our division sponsor. I would like to thank all of the fans who have given me encouragement because it really means a lot and I hope to have a successful 2016 racing season!