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Getting Up To Speed With…Joe German

Getting Up To Speed With…Joe German
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports Photography)
Grays Harbor Raceway will host the first leg of the Wild Wild West Modified Shootout in 2013. It is the first time that the Elma, Washington facility has had such an honor. When the travelers start rolling int0 town one guy they may need to keep a sharp eye on is Joe German. The Wishkah, Washington chauffeur is the two-time and defending track champion of the Shipwreck Beads IMCA Modifieds at GHR and has already visited victory lane twice this season.

Driver: Joe German
Hometown: Wishkah, WA
Occupation: Manager
Years Racing: 10
Age: 38

Classification: IMCA Modifieds
Car Number: 75X
Chassis: Skyrocket
Sponsors: Wishkah Iron Works, Ozman Services Inc., Powertrain Application, MASCO Petroleum, Industrial Dewatering Solutions, Pacific Northern Environmental
Special Thanks: Pit Crew and Family

BD: Joe if I were to go back in time three years ago and tell you that you were going to be a two-time champion would you believe me?
JG: No, I wouldn’t have believed you. The first year we won the championship was in the shop. We had our maintenance down. Even though we didn’t win any races we had no DNF’s and no motor problems. 2012 was kind of the exact opposite. We won the championship by winning races and always finishing in the top three.

BD: This year the tour starts in Elma and ends in Medford. How do you think the switch will affect you?
JG: I hope it gives us some momentum. We figure we got a good chance of finishing in the top five or maybe even the top three at Elma. It’s a changeup.

BD: What track is the biggest challenge for you?
JG: Probably Banks. It’s just a small track whereas I’m used to a big track like Elma. I’ve always had trouble there but if we do well at that place it will make me feel better for the rest of the races because I’m comfortable with those tracks.

BD: How big would it be if you won the race at Grays Harbor Raceway?
JG: It would be big. It would definitely be a shot in the arm. But afterwards you can’t party like a rock star because you’ve got to stay focused for the rest of the races.

BD: You’ve run every race in this deal for the two years that it has been around. How much fun is it?
JG: It’s a ton of fun but at the same time it’s a ton of work. I’m glad that something like this is available because we’ve got the cars and we’ve got the tracks.

The Wild Wild West Modified Shootout will visit the Willamette Speedway on Tuesday June 18th. Tickets for Adults/Seniors/Juniors (13-17)/Military are $8.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, Children 5 and Under FREE, and a whole CAR LOAD will get you into the races for $25.00. Brian Poppa won the first installment in 2011 and Jesse Williamson is the defending champion.

2013 Wild Wild West Modified Shootout Schedule:
June 15th – Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, Washington)
June 16th – OFF
June 17th – Sunset Speedway (Banks, Oregon)
June 18th – Willamette Speedway (Lebanon, Oregon)
June 19th – Cottage Grove Speedway (Cottage Grove, Oregon)
June 20th – Coos Bay Speedway (Coos Bay, Oregon)
June 21st – Siskiyou Motor Speedway (Yreka, California)
June 22nd – Southern Oregon Speedway (White City, Oregon)

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