This is a sweet weekend for Brett Moffitt and his No. 34 All American Food Front Row Motorsports team. They are not only promoting National Root Beer Float day but also hoping for a sweet finish at Pocono Raceway in the Windows 10 400.
Moffitt is most excited about promoting National Root Beer Float Day for A&W restaurants on August 6th. Anyone can ask for a root beer float at any A&W store between 2:00 p.m. and closing and get it for free. The only catch is that participants will be asked to make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Foundation to pay it forward.
“It’s really cool and it is a really fun thing to have on the car,” Moffitt said. “It’s amazing that this huge company A&W is doing that.
“They don’t need to do that, but it shows what’s in their hearts. It will help everyone have a little enjoyment in their day and also help Wounded Warriors benefit from it too.”
Moffitt advised that the saying ‘We all scream for ice cream’ definitely applies to him and is why he is so excited about the root beer float promotion on his race car.
“I like anything sweet,” Moffitt said. “The inner kid in me loves candy, ice cream and especially root beer floats. Any chance I get to snack out, I’m good with it. It’s a free excuse for me.”
“I’m going to head for the nearest A&W in my area on August 6,” Moffitt said. “This is the second year we’ve done this so we should be good.”
Moffitt is also excited that the Root Beer Float promotion will also benefit a charity that he feels strongly about.
“I haven’t been directly involved in the Wounded Warrior Project, but I would sure like to,” Moffitt said. “I think it’s a great cause and something that a lot of people overlook.
“Without the warriors who paid such a price, we wouldn’t be standing here doing our jobs today. So, that means a lot to me.”
With sweets on his car and a car that was good off the truck, Moffitt is also looking forward to a good run at Pocono Raceway in the Cup race on Sunday.
“We actually unloaded and we were pretty happy with our race car,” Moffitt said. “So, that’s a good sign.
“The biggest thing is that they got rid of the bumps in Turn Two. So, we’re carrying quite a bit more speed through there than we were a month or so ago. Trying to adjust to that is the newest thing that I’m worried about. Other than that, it’s going good and I’m happy with the car.
“You can shift in all three corners but I haven’t decided which ones are really better yet. I’ve done it both ways and run the same lap times both ways. So, I don’t really know which one I’m going to stick with.
“I’m sure in traffic in the race, you’ll shift more and run faster laps. I still think it will be big to take care of your transmission and brakes throughout the race to save it all for the end.”
Another sweet development for Moffitt is his Rookie of the Year battle with Jeb Burton. In fact, the two young drivers are actually tied at present at 151 points.
“Yes, we are tied but he’s been in every race and I haven’t,” Moffitt said. “It’s an odd battle and I’m not sure how everything is going to work out. They take your 17 best races I believe it is. So, I don’t know.
“We’re just going out here every weekend and doing the best we can. At the end of the year if I get it, that’s great. And if not, then it kind of sucks.
“It’s hard to really focus on that week in and week out and with all the stipulations that go along with it. So, for me, it’s go out, perform, and if you beat him on the track every time, it will be hard to lose it.”
Moffitt admitted that his journey to racing the No. 34 A&W All American Food Ford has taken many twists and turns. But the young racer admitted that it has been sweet and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s been a weird journey and not your traditional way up. I ran the K&N East Series for five years and had a lot of success there. I started testing for Michael Waltrip Racing in their Cup cars at the end of 2011 until NASCAR did away with the testing. I’m still under contract with Michael Waltrip Racing but I didn’t get the chance to run XFINITY or Trucks much.
“It’s a weird way to get here but am thankful to the opportunity to be here.
“I also got the opportunity to fill in for Brian Vickers this year in the No. 55 car and that was a great opportunity as well. And for the remainder of this year, I’ve found a great home here at Front Row. It’s been a really good year so far and I hope we can continue it on.
“Ever since the first few races I’ve come over here, we’ve really been working well together. It’s a great group of guys. We’re all kind of smart butts to each other but it is great chemistry for the team. And everyone knows we’re just joking. It’s a fun atmosphere but when it comes time to get stuff done, we do it. I think that makes for a great team.”
In addition to National Root Beer Float Day, Moffitt will also soon celebrate a sweet thing of his own. He has a birthday next week and will turn 23 years old.
“I’m not racing Watkins Glen next weekend so I’m actually going to go home to Iowa and visit my parents, family and friends for my birthday,” Moffitt said. “I haven’t been there since Christmas so it will be good to see all of them.”
“But until then, just go get those root beer floats on August 6,” Moffitt said. “It’s a cool and easy thing to do.”
