RANDLEMAN, NC :: Ryan Wilson is hoping to improve on the fourth place finish he recorded in 2012 at Martinsville Speedway during Sunday’s Martinsville DuPont Credit Union (MDCU) 300. Last year, Wilson made it in to the feature event but was caught up in an accident and finished 27th.
The last two years have shown Wilson what it takes to have success but have also exposed him to the adversity that often comes with racing at Martinsville for so many. Wilson
“I feel like we were really good actually,” Wilson said. “I think we were as good as we were a couple yars ago when we finished up front, maybe better. It’s all about making the race and survival. Everyone’s fighting as hard as they can for every last spot in those heat races. Once you make the main, it’s all about who can miss the wrecks and not have mechanical failures and last the whole race. Obviously, to finish up front, you have to have a good car handling-wise. It’s the most challenging race of the year that’ why it’s the biggest and most prestigious.”
This year, Wilson is confident that the car is as good as it was in 2012 and feels like he has a legitimate chance at taking home the $25,000 check and the grandfather clock.
“I feel like, if everything goes our way, we can have a good top-five run, maybe even contend for the win. It all depends on how everything goes,” Wilson stated. “I’m going in with that in mind that’s my goal to have a top five run and contend for the win. If I didn’t feel like we had a good car, we wouldn’t even go.”
Previous experience bodes well for Wilson. He has made the feature three times in four previous attempts and knows what it takes to put together a strong run.
“We should have a strong run if we don’t have any issues,” Wilson remarked. “We’ve made the race three out of four times. It’s not perfect but it’s better than some people can say. I feel like we’re pretty strong up there most of the time.”
Wilson’s fourth place finish in 2012 is his best career Martinsville finish to date. Wilson enters the race coming off a winless season after competing at Southern National Motorsports Park and Motor Mile Speedway. Wilson began clicking together some top-five finishes late in the season at Southern National – including a runner-up finish on August 30th.
