CLAY COUNTY SPEEDWAY
MAY 26, 2007
Louie Baker , Jr is 36 years old and married to Stephanie... they have two children : Nathan who is 13 and Nikki who is 9... they live in DuQuoin, Illinois
Louie runs the #71 crate late model with a CJ Rayburn chassi and the 602 crate engine...
The reason behind his car number..........that is the number his dad, Louie,Sr used when he raced...
Louie considers Mt Vernon his hometrack but his favorite to run is the DuQuoin Mile..
He told me that he started racing at age 19 in street stock and then went into the steel block division for four years and now in crate late model for three years..
When asked what had inspired him to start racing he told me that it was just in his blood.... He said he had always been around racing with his dad....
His favorite driver he said was Dale Earnhardt, Sr....
When asked who his toughest competitor was he told me any of the drivers that race the Mile at DuQuoin...
To be a good driver he feels you need PATIENCE.........number one answer!!!
His long term goal in racing is to finish in the top 5 at the end of the year in UMP Pts..... and his son Nathan added ...."and not to wreck!!!!"
I asked him if there was anything in racing he would like to see changed and he said he was pretty satisfied with how it is..............***so far all the CARS guys have told me same thing...they are satisified...
His racing highlight that stands out for him.......is just to have as much fun as he can...and he is.....
When asked if he liked the high groove or the low groove......he told me he liked them both......however ... he does like to race on a tacky track...
He is the Crew Chief for Team #71 and team members are his kids Nathan and Nikki, his wife Stephanie and Jimmy and Darren...
He wanted to give a big thanks out to everyone who has helped get him to where hi is at in racing...sure does appreciate it...
Louie... thanks so much for the interview.... when talking to some of the other drivers you can tell you are well liked..... was glad to meet you and your son Nathan.... goodluck this season..
cj