Going into a 2017 where he still has a lot of things up in the air as far as his specific racing plans, Peck says that a Rumble win would be huge for his career as a driver, bolstering his resume as he looks to advance up the ladder.
“Obviously, any win is good, but people know the Rumble. To win it is a big deal. Billy Wease and Tony Stewart … those guys are big names in the midget ranks and if I can nudge my name a little bit higher and be associated closer to those guys, it would definitely help to get my name out there, for sure.”
And no, Peck hasn’t forgotten the statement he made in 2014 after his second Rumble win, encouraging Stewart to come out of his now-five-year Rumble retirement and defend his record nine victories on the Coliseum floor.
He’s hoping two more wins will make the nudge just a little bit more pressing and bring Stewart back to the Hoosier State, after the three-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion has spent the last several years working as part of the track preparation crew for the Tulsa Shootout in Oklahoma.
“The quest (to catch Tony) is still alive. It’s been alive ever since I got my second (win). He’s the big guy … and I want to get there.”
“I’ve still got work to do, but I hope he knows we all want him back here. As racers, we’re all pushed to be better when he’s here, so I hope Tony brings his Munchkin back and makes us work for the wins here again. Then, those wins will mean even more because they’re against the best guy to ever race here.”
Opening ceremonies and feature racing for night one of the 19th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne will start at approximately 7 p.m., headlined by the Rumble Racing Series national midgets.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
Follow RCO on Twitter: @RaceChaserNews
