Matt Baikie #11
Age: 17
Home Track: Illiana Motor Speedway
Division: Pure stocks
Hometown: Homewood, Illinois
Car Number: 11
How Did You Decide Your Number: There were only 3 "cool" numbers left, and I decided on 11 just because
Favorite Thing About Home Track: I love flying down the straight aways, braking hard, and holding the car on the bottom while people crash into eachother all around you
Least Favorite Thing About Home Track: When they make us run the chicane, or right turn race with out telling us first
Year You Started Racing: 2006
What Was Your First Car: A 1990 Isuzu Impulse
How Long Before You Won A Race: It took me till championship night in 2006 to win my first race (B-feature)
Favorite Car You Raced: Well, theres only been 1 so far, so I guess the isuzu
Favorite Track You Raced: Its a toss up between Illiana and Rockford.
Favorite Victory That Stands Out: My second win, in 2007, it was a 15 lap B feature and I had a good race, coming from 7th to first, then holding it
Had Any Victories That "Got Away" From You: Nope
Worst Crash You Have Been In: 2007 at Illiana, coming out of turn 2 on the first lap, everyone was running 3 wide, when we hit the straight away, the first and last thing I saw was Tim Huminski's car sideways in front of me. The next week we worked hard to fix it, and got it back together & didnt miss a weekend.
Ever Been Injured In A Race: yes, when I hit the wall at plymouth, my fire extingushier came unbolted and smacked my elbow, plus the soreness from the hit.
Toughest Competitors: last year.. i would have to say the hardest/ most fun to be next to was Ryan Gilliam, he was just a tick faster than me, and we had some good side by side racing.
Hardest To Pass: Tim Huminski, he always would brake check and block
Don't Want To See In Mirror With 1 To Go: ah... Tim Cronin, Bob Blood, Steve Wells... but I never really raced them this year
Favorite Local Drivers Growing Up: I actually never went to the local tracks as a kid, my parents didnt take me, my first time was at practice last year, but I would have to say Dave weltmeyer
Favorite Local Drivers Now: Dave Weltmeyer, Boris, Johnny Senerchia
Favorite NASCAR Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr
Who Helped You The Most In Your Career: Tim Cronin, I know everyone talks bad about him, but if you stay on his good side hes a great guy, and will help if you ask. Without him I probably would not have won 2 races or have a new car for next year.
Any Funny Stories From The Track: I saw this from a distance, but a bunch of people thought Ryan Gilliam's car was on fire, but really Bob Wall who was driving it that night just kicked the fire extinguisher when he got in.
