Brett Haas Looks to Take Lessons Learned from One Year Ago as he Readies for 2016
Story and Photos By: MATT NOLES / RACERSGUIDE.COM
SPRAKERS, NY- February 25, 2016- Most drivers would be content with a top-five finish in the season-ending point standings at their home speedway. Then again, most drivers aren’t Brett Haas.
After a year that saw the young small-block modified competitor at the Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, New York compete with good speed against some of the most notable names in the realm of dirt racing, the Pittsfield, Massachusetts native couldn’t help but feel disappointed as the season came to a close.
“I would say it was a decent season for us,” stated Haas. “We were the first non-big-block driver in points and that in its own is an example of an alright season. It’s nothing to be ashamed of by any means but I know that as a team and myself as a driver, we’re better than that.”
It’s hard to shake off the underlying feeling of mediocrity by the driver of the No. 55 Mildred Elley sponsored entry; a feeling that isn’t likely to last through the upcoming season. “Some years you just can’t catch a break and you’re in the wrong spot at the wrong time,” Haas continued. “That seemed to be us last year. We came close to a win only to get passed by Kenny [Tremont] with two laps to go.”
Mechanical issues also seemed to plague the Haas Racing Team through the early months of the season. “We struggled with the brakes for a good part of the year,” remarked Haas. “Then finally about three-quarters of the way through the year we finally got going. Like I said, it wasn’t a bad year by any means but we’re definitely capable of more than we showed.”
As the winter months approached and the dirt speedways of the northeast fell silent, Haas and his team sat down and wasted no time in an effort to right the wrongs and build a stronger program. “We [the entire team] sat down and tried to figure out where we could improve,” Haas stated. “Our team has always been meticulous about maintenance but it’s the little things that we need to start paying more attention to.”
It’s often said that the devil is in the details. When it comes to racing, that statement couldn’t be any more correct and that’s part of where Brett Haas has decided to focus his energy in 2016. “When you’re running against guys like JR [Heffner], Kenny [Tremont] and Wayne [Jelley], those guys are on the mark every single week,” continued Haas. “If we’re going to be running against them then we can’t afford to give up a tenth of a second here and a tenth of a second there. We have to be on our game.”
Racing is often described as the constant pursuit of grip. To adhere to that saying, one needs a steady stream of something else far more important; information. “We’ve been doing a lot of research on different things this offseason,” said Haas. “Handling is a big area of focus this year for us and when I went out to PRI, I spoke to a lot of people set-up wise. I think we’re going to try a few new things this year that could make the difference we’re looking for.”
Top notch equipment and car handling will only get a race team as far as the ability of the driver behind the wheel. Though Haas is a proven winner, there’s still the unyielding desire to become better than his contemporaries. “I’ve been watching a lot of video this offseason trying to study other drivers,” Haas stated. “I’m trying to figure out where my weaknesses are and where my competitor’s weaknesses are and as a driver, that’s where I have to step up.”
There’s also a tremendous amount of importance to starting off the year on a high-note; something that the No. 55 team wasn’t able to do last year and they are poised to rectify that as the season approaches. “If you don’t get off on the right foot it’s really difficult to get back up on your feet quickly,” Haas remarked. “It seems like one thing turns into another and into another and so on. It’s really difficult to catch up.”
If the young competitor was looking for a confidence builder at the end of 2015, he found one in the most unlikely of places; the small-block portion of the Eastern States weekend at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York.
“That race was a little bit of a confidence booster that we are carrying over to 2016,” Haas stated with a smile. “We were spun-out early in the race and then we ended up fighting our way back up to ninth with about 20-laps to go and then the steering box broke. We didn’t finish the race but we finally showed what we are capable of.”
The 2015 season left a permanent mark on Haas; one that many drivers wouldn’t think twice about. Though there were moments of difficulty, the final results were respectable to say the least. As true as that may be, a winless season became an arduous cross to carry; more than likely unnecessary, but arduous nonetheless.
“I know for a fact that we’re a championship caliber team and I took last season pretty hard on myself,” commented Haas. “I don’t blame any of my guys for anything. It was tough because I felt like I let my team down and I don’t want to let my marketing partners down. I don’t like going winless that’s for sure.”
The enthusiasm that the former sportsman division track champion has is evident as he finds himself counting down the days to the start of the season. “The car is almost complete right now and we just have to get it lettered,” continued Haas. “We’re definitely ahead of the game.”
If the work put in over the offseason is any indication, 2016 is certainly shaping up to be a defining year in the career of Brett Haas. “I feel like we have the capability of beating JR and Kenny on a regular basis this year,” Haas concluded. “Especially after doing our homework during the winter I think our small-block program is exactly where it needs to be.”
Brett Haas Racing would like to thank the following marketing partners: Mildred Elley, Bilstein, FK Rod Ends, MJI Transport, Munson Satellite, Busheys Pool, Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor, Elm St. Barber Shop, Mezzies Variety, Alexandra Dest Capital Management, County Ambulance, Haas Financial Solutions, Viale Realty and County Auto Wrecking.
