3/24/2011
Five Flags Speedway
Niedecken looks to rebound from a tough 2010
Written by Chuck Corder News Journal correspondent
What's older than old school?As far as Five Flags Speedway goes, Junior Niedecken fits that description.
When the engines start for the Blizzard Series' Pepsi Max 100 on Friday, Dewey Wayne Niedecken Jr. will enter his fourth decade as a fixture around Five Flags.
The 54-year-old still refers to NASCAR's top division as the "Winston Cup" instead of its current name, Sprint Cup. If he needs a part for his Super Late Model, chances are Junior Niedecken is making it on his own.
He'll look around the half-mile asphalt oval Friday and see rivals some 20, 30, even 35 years his junior with pit crews that could give NASCAR's top teams a run for their money.
"I consider us a small team," said Niedecken, who has Robert Barnes and Jeff Balk helping him. "We do it for the fun and the glory. We go out the door with intentions of winning. Sometimes our chances are a little better than others. Nowadays, though, everybody coming through that gate comes through to win."
Niedecken is making sure winning is a point of emphasis for him this season.
"We're definitely focused this year," he said. "The thing is now, the setup on the cars. If you miss a bit, you look like a novice out there."
After Niedecken finished a mediocre 12th in the Blizzard Series last year, the racing gods added insult to injury when the fan favorite missed his first Snowball Derby in which he attempted to qualify.
A right-front wheel was destroyed in practice, and his backup car wasn't ready in time to qualify.
"It depressing to lose that good of a car," said Niedecken, whose best Derby finish was second in the early 1990s. "It was good from word go. I could've made the show quite easily with that car. It was easy fast. I didn't have to hustle the car to ride it. That's what you look for.
"Unfortunately, we put all our eggs in one basket and Lady Luck didn't smile on us."
Not that they were lacking for inspiration, but Niedecken and his team are ready to rebound from a disappointing 2010.
"We're just volunteer guys working on a car at the end of the night," Barnes said. "That's motivation right there; knowing we're doing it ourselves. We're confident (Niedecken) can still run with them."
With a new car that should be ready to debut by the second Blizzard Series race May 27, the 37-year veteran and his team hope they can turn back the clock.
"I was born on a racetrack, and it's hard to get rid of that dreaded disease," Niedecken said. "I'm still able get up on wheel."
Not bad for an old timer.
This article first appeared in the Pensacola News Journal on March 23rd 2011
Back to News
