Gary Cook,jr.....#64
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Well reading on the 4m and knowing that Gary Cook,jr who I have heard referred to as the "Cookster". was the points leader at Spoon River.. I knew this was the guy I would try to track down at Spoon River....
I got to the track late and did not get to spend much time talking with him...hot laps were getting ready to start...
He was very enjoyable to talk with and I do hope to be able to finish my interview with him some day...whew...Spoon River is a trip for me though...
Gary Cook, jr is the son of Gary Cook,Sr. who drives the #61 modified....Gary told me his dad gets the credit for him being involved in racing..
Gary is now 28 years old.. he told me he started racing at the age of 16..
His chassis is a "Cook Motor Sports ... he also told me that he builds his own cars from scratch....VERY IMPRESSIVE...
His engine is a Friedman
When asked what he thought it took to be a good race car driver he told me "PATIENCE".........he said "don't try winning the race in the first lap ...that is what causes some to have to pack up and go home early"....
He said his long term goal would be to run the U.M.P. Summer Nationals with the Late Model....He told me that he has drove a Late Model....says he would love to be in one but it costs A LOT OF MONEY...LOTS...
I asked him who his toughest competitor was and he told me that was a hard choice... He laughed and looked at my tee shirt and said "I should say Chad Kinder huh" ..(*** don't understand why he would say that** oh yeah...I was wearing my Kinder shirt that I wear to ALL the races...**don't worry..they are clean..I have more then one..)..... He told me that every time Kinder shows up he has taken 2nd..also told me that Kinder was one of the cleanest drivers he has gone up against...
Unfortunately this was as far as my interview got because hot laps were starting..
He was very nice and very easy to talk with...Gary I sure do hope to finish the interview and would also like to get your dad.
Thankyou so much....and to his sponsors....Sorry..did not get that far in the interview to record you....
cj

GARY COOK,JR. AT SPOON RIVER SEPTEMBER 25, 04

Fairbury, Il
Sept 3, 2005

Finally ..!!!! I caught up with Gary, jr again..... I had met him at SpoonRiver last season and only got a partial interview because he had to go out on the track..

This time I caught him in his trailer while he was working....

Gary is 29 years old and is from Deer Creek, Il... His wife is Nicole and they have a four year old Dawson...... Gary informed me that they were waiting for a new addition to their family .. They are awaiting the arrivial of their 6 month old daughter "Sophia" that they just adopted........... HOW GREAT IS THAT !!!!!
Congratulations Nicole and Gary......I think that is wonderful...

Gary runs the #64 modified with his own custom "Cook " chassi.. HIs engine is a Friedman..

He told me the reason for the number on his car was that it was his dad's number..

He told me that he started racing at the age of 15 in a street stock... He started racing modified 7 years ago...

He told me that his father was the one who had inspired him to go into racing..

Driver he Admires is Jeff Gordon.....*** good choice I would say !!

He told me that you have to have patience to be a good driver and you have to know how to work on your own car..

He said that his goal is to run the UMP Summer Nationals in a late model..

I asked who his toughest competitor was and he told me Chad Kinder

I asked him if there was anything in racing that he thought needs to be changed and he told me out of hand cost.... He told me he use to be able to run used tires on his car but now you can't do it and keep competitive..

Racing Highlight that stands out for him is being the track cham at Fairbury last year and he won 3 Summer Nationals at Fairbury... He also is proud of making the Bristol in 2000... he said that 400 tried to qualify...... He had to start last because he had blown an engine and he ended up finishing 12th !!!!

Gary likes to run the high groove on a dry slick track

HIs crew chief is Bill Klingbeil

Would like to give a speical thanks to his wife Nicole and to Dawson..

Thankyou very much Gary for the interview.... enjoyed talking with you... hope to see you race again... you are an exciting driver to watch..
cj

Fairbury, Il
Sept 3, 2005

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