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June 13, 2008

Fisher looks to regain title form

By Cheryl Licklider, Commentary

In 2003, David Fisher reached the pinnacle of his racing career as he picked up the championship in the bloodthirsty factory stock division along with the coveted Hurst Cup Award. With a third child on the way, this dedicated family man took a brief hiatus from the sport. This season his youngest turned 4-years-old and Fisher returned to the high banks at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in quest of his second crown.

“I decided to come back and run for the championship this year, and so far it is working,” said Fisher. “We’ll just have to see how the second half turns out. I’ve been following Jerry Derr’s advice of not setting up my car for every race. He told me to quit chasing the track. I did and it seems to be working.”

Fisher began his colorful racing career in 1990 in a mini stock at Airport Speedway. According to the enthusiastic driver, his grandfather, the legendary Leland Roark, was instrumental in Fisher’s initiation into the sport.

“My grandpa asked me if I wanted to race, when I said ‘yes’ he brought me a car and I’ve been racing since,” he said. “My grandpa helped a lot of guys get into racing and sponsored them.”

Though he had watched the adrenaline pumping sport from the grandstands since he was 10-years-old, idolizing his heros like “Big” John Tipping and Ted Shepard, Fisher found the step from the grandstands to the racecar a huge transition.

“Racing was hard for me to get used to at first,” he said. “Luckily I had good mentor in Bill Bookout. Some of the best advice I ever got was from Bookout. He told me to stand on it and turn left. That worked pretty good until I got into a street stock and spun out as I had no concept of lifting off in the corners, in fact I remember the promoter Kent Albright told me I had to keep it on the track or put it on the trailer.”

In 1996, Fisher won a Chessman Race car in a 50/50 drawing and moved to the factory stock division the next year. He pulled out all the stops racing for several seasons in a V-8 powered street stock before returning to the unassuming but extremely cutthroat factory stock class.

According to Fisher, he is competitive by nature and enjoys the action and speed found in stock car competition. Though he admits he still is a little edgy before his heat race on Saturday nights.

“I’m pretty nervous at the start of my heat race,” said Fisher. “When the green flag falls I’m calm focused and ready to go.”

Fisher pilots the fast No. 14, which is a ’76 Chevelle with an Oldsmobile body. According to Fisher he does all of the motor work, sheet metal work and painting on the fast car.

Fisher’s wife, Michelle, is the solitary member of his pit crew. Fisher said she is very dedicated, and even takes care of washing and putting the car up when he works on Sundays.

Brochu Roofing and Neilson garage door both sponsor the team.

“If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be racing today, they back me quite a bit,” said Fisher.

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