Comunicati Stampa - Rookie Driver: USA is a Lazy Racing Nation

Rookie Driver: USA is a Lazy Racing Nation

In a recent recap press conference, a reporter asked American rookie driver, Nick Wheeler, about his feelings on driving his way to #105 in the USA after just 2 and a half weeks in MRC. His response was surprising.

"I see nothing to celebrate. Gaining the top 100 in the United States is an easy task. Just finish races in the top 50% for a couple weeks and you're there. The United States is a lazy racing nation and it's apparent by the recent performances of our top 20 drivers."

Wheeler had just finished his 2nd straight Rookie Series sweep, dominating Phillip Island #2 and jumping 67 positions in American ranking charts. When asked to clarify his statement about the top 20 American drivers, he quoted several undeniable statistics.

"Look at this week [Season 9 week 6]. Justasarni was the only guy in the U.S. top-5 that didn't lose rating points. Richmond had a poor rating week, but he and Justasarni are the immediate future for us as a nation. Hunt and Cheever DNF too often to carry this country. Cheever didn't earn back #1 this week, Hunt lost his way out of it. On top of the abysmal showing at the top of the chart, 11 of the top 20 drivers dropped rating points this week. How are we supposed to advance as a nation when our best can't advance themselves?"

Now that the gallery was completely focused on Wheeler, the reporter continued to prod asking about his future as a U.S. driver.

"My goal is to race the United States into a respectable position. Right now any drivers based in Europe, South America, and Asia see our flag on the entry sheets and write us off immediately. They know that American drivers don't pay attention to detail, rarely set their cars up to win, and are way too passive on course. I plan to change that mindset."

The reporter continued, asking about his first season's results thus far.

"I haven't won anything significant yet. Beating Cheever for the podium in Santa Fe is probably my biggest accomplishment as a driver - and though it's nothing to sneeze at, it's also not an overly important result. Don't take my criticism of the state of American racing as a statement that 'I'm the best' because I'm not. My team and I have a lot of work to do before we can think about challenging these guys. But just because we have a lot of improvements to make doesn't mean my goals stop at gaining a top spot in my country. I will race with Saint Germain, Botta, Acarini, Dan, and Libor and I will beat them someday. But that day is at least a few seasons away."

Clearly, the confident rookie believes himself to be the face of the next generation of racing in the United States. He is in a strong position to sweep yet another Rookie Series week in Brazil this week, but is facing some stronger competition than he saw in the Phillip Island sweep.

Rumors have it that Wheeler will be entering the Formula 3 American Series this coming season despite the team's financial position as a first-year squad. He said later in his press conference, "I'm not a sand-bagger. I won't run the Rookie Series for 6 seasons like some of these other guys. But we'll see where we are when it comes time for series selections. One more Rookie Series season wouldn't kill us, but we'll see."