Perfect night results in win for Gibson

By Jeff Hare

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's a kind of night that all auto racers hope for.

When everything is working to perfection, and going great, the car is running well, the tires are holding up, the starting position is good, and at the end, a checkered flag is taken.

That's what happened to Brian Gibson recently at Hawkeye Downs.

“We had good starting position,” Gibson said about the race on July 8. “We got a good, lead and were able to pull away and get a nice win.”

[caption id="attachment_264059" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Racers head to the track to warm their tires at Hawkeye Downs Speedway on Friday, July 15, 2011. (David Scrivner/SourceMedia Group)"]

Brian Gibson, back, and friend Mark Cooling check the tires of Gibson's car before his modified race at Hawkeye Downs Speedway on Friday, July 15, 2011. The two began working on and racing cars together in the mid-1990's. (David Scrivner/SourceMedia Group)

This is Gibson's first year of running in the modified class after a short hiatus from racing.

“I started running Hobby Stocks in 1990,” he said. “Did that for a while, and then got out of it for five or six years. Last fall we were able to get a car to run in the Modifieds, so now I'm back.”

Of course, things are different from even just a few years ago.

“The technologies have changed so much in auto racing,” he said. “You hear the NASCAR guys talking about it all the time, and it's true even at this level. Things like suspension systems and engine modifications are different.”

And according to Gibson, that sometimes makes it tough.

“We are a knife's edge in this sport,” he said. “Sometimes we have the car set up just right, and everything goes well. The next week, you can bring out the same specs, and struggle all night, you just never know. That's what makes a great sport for the fans.”

After his time away from the track, Gibson is happy to be back racing.

“I have been very pleased so far,” he said. “We spent a long time working on the car, getting it ready to go, and last week was great. Not only for me, but for everyone who is involved.

“In order to do this, you need a lot of help from a lot of people,” Gibson added. “From the guys in the pits who help work on the car, to the sponsors who are there with you. Right now I real happy with the way it is going.”

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