Race car driver and engine builder Roger Williams stands next to his No. 32 Camaro in the garage at Rockingham Speedway prior to Friday’s Polar Bear 150.
Williams, owner and operator of Williams Performance Engines in St. Paul, Indiana, is also a race car driver. For the second straight year, he raced in the Polar Bear 150 at Rockingham Speedway on Friday.
Last year, Williams finished 11th in the race. He employs a certain strategy on the track.
“For the first half of the race, I like to kind of sit back in the pack and let the race sort itself out,” Williams said before this year’s race. “After the pit stop, then I like to make a move.”
A mandatory pit stop happens at the midway point of the race, or lap 75.
How did the strategy work out this year?
Williams didn’t have much of a chance to employ it, as he was collected in an early wreck and finished 55th of 60 cars entered in the race.
Williams is a regular in the Frank Kimmell Street Stock Series. He’s never failed to finish a race.
Even though he hails from a state - Indiana - that’s rich in racing tradition, Williams enjoys coming to Rockingham.
“You think of all the guys who have raced here over the years,” Williams said. “You just have to respect the heritage of this track. It’s a great place to race. … The first few laps, you’re just in awe of it.”
Williams competed against several of his customers in this year’s race.
He also uses the lessons learned on the track when it’s time to get to work building engines.
“You always want to build a better product,” Williams said. “Racing helps you do that. I’m a racer at heart, so this is a great way for me to build my business. I get to do my own research and development.”
Williams had a number of sponsors this year, including America’s Best Value Inn of Rockingham; Lucas Oil; Williams Performance Engines; VP Racing Fuels; Creative Coatings; Allstar Performance and 350 Designs.
Contact sports editor David Vantress at 997-3111, ext. 14 or via email at dvantress@yourdailyjournal.com.
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