FRANKLIN, MA :: Bobby Santos III is the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, as well as an 11-time winner on the Tour.
RACE22.com: Why did you get started in racing?
Bobby Santos: Well I didn’t really have much of a choice. My grandfather raced, my dad raced, so when I was literally two years old my dad had me in a go-kart in the backyard. So I didn’t really have much of a choice!
R22: What race track do you wish was on the NWMT schedule that isn’t?
BS: I could go on all day. Richmond, IRP (now known as Lucas Oil Raceway Park), and Iowa.
R22: Why those three tracks?
BS: They’re three of the coolest race tracks in the country and the Modifieds need to be at those places, I think. Especially Richmond. They used to go there. IRP is a ton of fun. Awesome race track. And I just think they’re race tracks that we need to be at.
R22: If money was no issue at all, what race track around the world would you most want to race at?
BS: Irwindale is one of my favorites also, which would be awesome for Modified racing but that’s probably not realistic because it’s in California. But Richmond I think is one of the best for these cars.
R22: But even if it wasn’t in a Modified, is there one track around the world that you’d love to have a chance to race at?
BS: Probably Richmond or Iowa. Those are my two favorites.
R22: Do you have any superstitions or routines that you do each week?
BS: No. I mean, I do put on all my equipment the same way and stuff like that. I just take my time to make sure I’m comfortable in the car. But other than that I’m not really scared of green or peanuts or anything like that.
R22: When you say you put your equipment on the same way, is there a specific order?
BS: Yeah, I mean I just double-check to make sure my gloves are on good and pull my belts multiple times. I just do it in the same order.
R22: What do you usually eat before a race?
BS: Whatever is available.
R22: What’s a typical day like for you away from the race track?
BS: Well right now I’m actually working for the race team that I’m driving for out in Indianapolis, so right now I’m working on race cars which I’m pretty lucky to be doing. But it’s actually really busy right now because we are getting ready for some races at the end of May.
R22: What team and what series is that?
BS: RPM Auto is the name of the team I’m driving for. Fred Gormley owns it. We race USAC Silver Crown cars and Sprint Cars. We are getting ready for the Little 500.
R22: And finally if you were to check your iPod, what would be the last song that you listened to?
BS: I don’t know. I’ll honestly listen to anything in music. I’ll listen to anything.
R22: Who is your favorite artist?
BS: I don’t know. I like country music. Brad Paisley I guess.