(June 23, 2015) Speedway 660 opened its gates back in the summer of 94. That season Brian Gillespie won the first of his seven championships and raced every year until he hung up his helmet at the end of 2014. But this year a new kid has showed up with the Gillespie name on a car. Brian’s nephew Noah is a rookie in the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter Division. 

 

A Conversation with Noah Gillespie

Wade: Welcome to Speedway 660 Noah. Tell us a little bit about yourself, how old you are, what you do away from the track, when you first started coming to the race track and that kind of thing?

Noah: Hello Wade! I am 17 years old and I just graduated from Harvey High School this year. Away from the track I like to play basketball, go camping, and drive anything with a motor. I’ve been going to the track on and off over the years with my Papa (Willard).Noah is not just keeping the Gillespie name on a race car at Speedway 660, he’s running the Gillespie number.

Wade: You’ve had a few weeks in the Sharp Shooter car. How’s that going and what are your first impressions of racing at 660?

Noah: When we came to the track for our first practice, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Now that we’ve got a few races in, I’m starting to get a lot more comfortable with the car and track. It’s a rush, with all the cars going fast and things happen quick, so you gotta be ready for anything.

Wade: The Gillespie name is well known in these parts. Your Uncle Brian has two Street Stock titles and a record five Sportsman championships. How do you feel about carrying on the Gillespie tradition in the Geary Woods?Brian Gillespie is the most succesful driver in the history of Speedway 660. Noah’s Uncle Brian has a record seven championship trophies, including five in the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman Division!

Noah: Well first of all, I hope no-one expects me to jump into a race car and win championships the way Uncle Brian did. He’s a legend at Speedway 660 and although it would be nice to win a championship sometime in the future, I’m just out to have some fun and learn as much about racin as I can. It is kinda cool to keep the Gillespie name on the 660 driver roster though.

Wade: Do you feel any pressure to win because you have the Gillespie name and know how successful that other Gillespie was here?

Noah: Doing as well as Uncle Brian did, sure is a lot to ask for. There’s always a little bit of pressure to do good when your friends and family come out to watch you race. It doesn’t really bother me though, I just focus on driving my own race and trying to work my way to the front.You’ve got to stay up-on-the-wheel when you’re driving one of these Sharp Shooters. Noah is trying to get through this little “dust-up” unscathed!

Wade: Has Brian given you much advice about the racing game?

Noah: When Uncle Brian is talking about racing, you listen. He was racing before I was even born. And he’s got the championships to prove he knows what to do out on the track. He tells me to stay calm, be patient, find the open lane, and go fast. Oh yeah, and don’t be scared to go 3 wide! That last bit of advice is easier said than done.   

Wade: Tell us a little bit about your race team – who helps you get to Speedway 660 every week with your little Sharp Shooter?

Noah: I really have my crew to thank for everything, without them we don’t go racing. BJ, Ryan, Ben, Justin and Kyle spend a lot of time working on the car, getting it to the track and making it run good every weekend. Big thank you to George Jamison, Uncle Brain of course and my Nan Madelon for all they have done for me. And thanks to everyone one who swings by the garage to help out. I also want to thank the Fredericton Gun Shop for sponsoring our division.  The best part of racin is hangin out with your friends and getting them to help out by being the crew on your race team. 

Wade: I know you are just settling into our Sharp Shooter division, but do you think you might like to work your way up through the Street Stock, Sportsman and maybe even Pro Stock some day?

Noah: It’s a lot of fun watching the faster cars go around the track. The crew always says they are gonna build me a faster car someday. One day you might see me in an eight cylinder rear wheel drive, but I can’t complain about what I have now. I’m all about hangin out with my family and friends, learnin how to drive a race car and havin some fun.

Wade: Growing up you obviously cheered for Brian, what was it about his driving style that you liked as a kid sitting in the stands at Speedway 660?

Noah: He was smart, clean, and fast! Felt like every time I went to watch him I would come home with a new trophy. And he proved that you didn’t have to win feature races every second week to bring championships home. Uncle Brian was always consistent and I think that was his biggest secret.Brian retired at the end of the 2014 racing season, but you can find Karen and him in the stands or around their camper on race day.

Wade: Most of our drivers also follow NASCAR. I’ve been asking our younger drivers who they like in the big leagues and why?

Noah: As long as Dale Jr. or Jimmie Johnson don’t win I usually don’t care who does. If I would have to choose a favorite I would probably say Carl Edwards. He’s a good role model for younger drivers and I just like the way he drives a race car. Noah likes Carl Edwards, but we’re not sure if Noah will do one of Carl’s patented back-flips when he wins his first feature at Speedway 660! 

Wade: Tell us about your race day routine. What do you do to get ready to go racing every Saturday night?

Noah: We work on the car through the week and on Friday night do a few last minute things. On Saturday, we load up the car and head to the track. We get some practice in during the afternoon, get comfortable in the car and make a few last minute adjustments. Then we kinda hang out and wait for the racing to start. Oh yeah, we might pop over to Joyce’s Pit Stop for an order of those Famous Speedway Fries.Noah is always happy when it’s time to go racin. Here he carries on the “Gillespie Tradition” by passing a couple of other drivers at 660.  

Wade: Thanks a lot for doing this Noah and best of luck during the 2015 season. We hope to see you keep the Gillespie name on a race car here at Speedway 660 for many years to come!

Noah: Thanks Wade, we’ll see you at the track!