FAIRFIELD, CA -
With a trip to Canyon Speedway Park in early January in the distance, The Human Highlight Reel Geoff Ensign kicks off his 2012 season full of changes and new goals. The now two-time USAC Champion after winning the 2011 USAC Western Classic Dirt and Overall Championships will not defend his championship unless divine intervention happens. A year full of question marks and what is going on here moments left the 22 year old soured towards chasing points, and this year he and car owner Ted Finkenbinder mutually decided to not chase points, pick and choose where they raced depending on which race tickled their fancy, and only go to races they feel the car is capable of running up front any particular night. “I feel a lot better about this year. Last year, I had to think about holding position and maybe not charge as hard as I could. This year will be different because we’re not looking at the big picture overall. You’ll see us 100% all out all the time, and that’s not a bad thing.”
Ensign looks back on the 2011 season as one of growing and personal highs and lows. “Last year had everything. From DNFing at Santa Maria while I was waiting for a push truck that never came in staging to winning Placerville and finishing as top Western Classic car at Calistoga both nights of the Vermeil Classic to the confusion of the point chase, 2011 had a bunch of everything. I was there, got the hardware, went to the banquets, now let’s race. I feel comfortable swapping paint and banging wheels with Kruseman, Darland, Herrera, Hines…I got to do it all last year and I grew so much as a driver. How could you not against competition like that? It sure is nice to not have to travel 9+ hours to a race though. ” Ensign said about this weekend in Marysville.
It’s up in the air as to what cars out of the Finkenbinder shop will be turning laps on the Marysville bullring Saturday night. Right now, the only 100% yes is the Western Industrial X-Ray/Les Schwab Tires #3f Wingless Spec Sprint car. Then, next week, it’s on to Chico and the Silver Cup. As always, Ensign wants to race as much as possible, with some National USAC events in his crosshairs. He wants to race the Front Row Challenge at Oskaloosa, IA, the Wingless Knoxville Nationals and the Oval Nationals at Perris Speedway at the very least. With ambition like that, it’ll be a fun ride.
Don’t forget to LIKE Geoff Ensign Motorsports on Facebook, follow racenights on Twitter @Ensign3f or you can contact Geoff Ensign at geoffensign@rocketmail.com.
- Ron Lingron on Mar 01, 2012
- Article Date: 3/1/2012