Through a friend I became friends with Chad Hackenbracht, which I have to tell you I was in awe. So Hackenbracht was coming here near where I live to race so out of my fingers before I could stop it came the words how about a interview? I sat there then thinking, “what have I just done?” Then he said yes and I thought I was going into cardiac arrest. I am thinking to myself, “oh you have really done it this time” and when I told my husband what I had done I got that blank stare that no wife wants to really see. Well while he was here he actually became too busy to do it in person, so we decided to do it via email.
So for you all, this is my very first interview. First of all I am no writer, at the moment I am a housewife laid off from work and started working for a NASCAR page. Now I am socially the most backward person you will ever meet until I get to know you. I apologize if it’s a tad rough around the edges.
Whose idea was it to put the phonetic spelling of his name on his car?
It’s not quite the phonetic spelling, more/less a play on my name and making fun of everyone not knowing the correct way to say it. My buddy Carl Nadeau (a Canadian drift driver) came up with the Hocken-something and it stuck ever since.
What track scares him the most?
None of them really scare me. Honestly the most scared I’ve been at a particular track was just the other week at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park my first time on track. Every corner is blind and that’s daunting at first.
Any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
No Particular pre-race rituals or superstitions.
Who does he see as his biggest competition?
Any young driver coming through the ranks, particularly any with lots of sponsorship funding or with a famous last name.
What one rule would you add/remove/change from the current rule book?
Can’t say there’s anything that sticks out to me that I’d change.
What new sponsor would you like to see in NASCAR?
Any new sponsor. Whether its on my car or someone else’s. Any sponsor is a good one to see in NASCAR.
You could pattern yourself after one cup driver, who would it be?
I don’t know about pattern, but I’d say Kyle Busch. He’s an all around racing machine. Races anything, anytime, and wins in everything. Not only does he do all that but he knows everything there is to know about any race car he has/is driven.
How did you like working with Kyle Busch?
I really enjoy working with Kyle. He’s a great teacher of the sport, with any of my questions. And he pays attention, he doesn’t just sit back and collect money from his race team, he watches. For instance I got a text from him after the Canadian road race, that meant a lot.
You are offered the opportunity to go back in time and compete in NASCAR in any ONE year from the history of the sport which year would you choose, and why?
Early 2000’s. Racing was racing, no politics, go win, drive hard, beat and bang, no need to have pretty cars at the end of a race.
What has been the biggest adjustment for you going from racing ARCA to running NASCAR?
Nothing much. Just knowing I’m no longer “on top” and somewhat looked up to, and no longer have pull with the series leaders about different issues.
As a rising star in the NNS Series, what would be your “Dream team” and sponsorship to have when you graduate to the Sprint Cup series?
Hendrick motorsports, any sponsor
How did you start in racing , what suggestion would you give to a young kart racer?
Saw NASCAR on TV and explored options. Keep digging is my suggestion, don’t give up. I wish I had ran karts at some point, so you’re on the right track!
What challenges do you face driving for a low budget team?
A few. Mainly not having the amount of personnel the big teams have, for instance that I have over at KBM.
How do you stay focused for that long ?
Practice. Lots of guys run the simulators and discipline themselves for long races on those. I just try to race as much as I can, and I stay in shape. If your muscles start to get tired your focus goes to that particular muscle, so if you don’t get tired, you’re good!
What would you like to do next ? which series if he had to move on which would he choose. trucks etc?
I would like to be the trucks or nationwide full time. But any form of racing full time is fine by me!
What kind of hobbies do you have outside of racing?
I hunt whitetail deer, hopefully elk someday soon. and I go out on the lake when I have the opportunity.
How do you feel about women in racing?
Go for it! No reason they can’t do what everyone else can, or men have already done.
Is there any one person you want to thank for giving you that break you needed to get where you are?
My dad. There’s many times he could’ve “pulled the plug” on my career but he’s stuck behind me from day 1.
Who is your racing idol?
Mark Martin because he is well respected among all of the drivers.
If you could meet anyone in the world from any time who would it be?
I honestly have NO clue…stumped!
Do you think you will race in Europe ?
I’d love to. Maybe in Global Rally Cross or some sort of road race car.
If you weren’t a driver what do you think you would be doing?
A-I would be going to school for business or engineering with the aspirations to own my own business.
What is your fave food?
JAPANESE all the way. Could eat all day every day
Do you have a favorite movie? do you even really get the time to go to the movies?
Shooter. Its a little older but for sure my favorite movie that I could watch over and over.
What type of music do you listen to? fave band or singer?
Anything. Not much I don’t listen to these days. Been big into the remix and mash up stuff lately.
And lastly where do you see yourself or hope to be in 10 years?
I see myself racing full time successfully in some form of racing, whether that’s NASCAR or somewhere else, only time will tell and where my career leads me.
So there you have it my first ever interview with a NASCAR driver. I have become more courageous and done a few more ,which I hope to share with you in the future. I also want to thank Chad for his patience in dealing with me, because I was star struck to a degree, terrified of making a fool of myself, and had no clue what to do.
Chad is one of the nicest man you will ever meet he is very down to earth and I cheer for him every truck race and he certainly in my book deserves a full time NNS ride.
Thank You all for reading and I hope to have more interviews for you soon!
