Guest Filbert

Written by Barbara Nieweg Wednesday, 02 December 2009 17:42

Interviews

Guest:  Filbert Martocci : BUSCH Carowner  Dirt Devil/SquareD (5 Years)

Question #1: and Question #2:  What is the most embarrassing thing Kenny ever did to you?  Why did you hire Kenny to drive for you?

Answer:  Before I would agree to hire Kenny, I wanted to spend some time with him, and get to know him.  I suggested he and I go to Daytona four days before our scheduled test session...which we did.  We shared a hotel room, and "hung-out" for those four days.  That's when his personality came out, and that's when I came to love him.  I felt really bad for the way he was treated by his previous owner, and I told my team, "we'll win some races with Kenny Wallace', he has a lot to prove.  One time, during those four days together, we were eating dinner, in a restaurant, and I said something funny, or told a joke, and Kenny let loose with that "HERMAN" laugh of his, and I had never heard it before.  It really shocked me, and I looked around the restaurant, with an embarrassing expression on my face, and silently apologized to the other patrons.  BTW,...I've since come to love that laugh.

Question #3  After Kenny started working for you, what surprised you about him as a driver?

Answer:  Several things surprised me, as we worked together, and I might add...pleasantly surprised me.

First - was realizing he was truly dedicated to his wife, Kim, and his family.  Nothing superficial with him...it's real.

Second - was finding out he knew how to take care of his finances.  That's a real relief for an owner.

Third - Our team was very partial to "three link" rear suspension, even though the trend was moving toward "truck arms" exclusively.  With his ASA, and dirt track backgroud, I expected him to support our three link, but he didn't like the feel.  It was a moot point anyway, as soon after, NASCAR went to truck arms.

Question#4  Would you hire Kenny to drive for you again if you were able to do so?

Answer:  I wouldn't hire Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon or Kyle Busch or anybody to drive for me in NASCAR.  I am a stock car racer, and today's aerodynamic racing does not interest me.  I think NASCAR has engineered it's cars to the point they are almost F-1 cars, with Detroit bodies on them.  I like stock car racing, where "rubbing is racing"..and eight wheels make the corners better that four.  However, ...if I had a chance to be a car owner in a Street Modified division, racing on dirt tracks, I would love to have Kenny Wallace drive for me.

Questions #5  What is your favorite "activity" to do with Kenny now or what was it then?

Answer:  Most of our activities were racing related.  I was running several large companies, in those days, and couldn't socialize as much as I would hav liked.  I really did enjoy the times we were together, away from the tracks.  Several times, I was able to assist Kenny and Kim with landscaping their property. (I love plants and trees) I also enjoyed "spotting" for him, during the races.  I enjoyed it because he wanted my input, from above the track, as much as his own input from inside the car.

I'm about 35 years older that Kenny, so we didn't play ball together..I had no time for golf, and I hate fishing and hunting.

If we were able to socialize together today, I would love to have them visit me on Maui, and assist Kenny into becoming a certified Scuba diver.  Then we could hang out for the winter months, sunning, swimming, boating, and diving all around the island.

We are going to have a guest every other week.  A guest who you the fan can ask questions to about their relationship with Kenny.

Interested in asking a question?  Click Here