NEW ATTITUDE: Ramstrom Vows To Learn From Experience
WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. — Derek Ramstrom doesn’t want to play the nice guy anymore.
After his No. 35 Charter Communications/Matthews Truck Service and Towing Chevrolet spun while racing for the lead off the final corner of Thursday night’s 30-lap Super Late Model feature at Thompson International Speedway, Ramstrom said he’s finally reached his breaking point. He was credited with a 10th-place finish and was more upset by the loss of a possible victory than the loss of points toward a potential championship.
“I’m kind of fed up with it all, to be honst,” said Ramstrom, 18. “I’m sick of being the nice guy. We’re trying to go out and win races, but I don’t think these other guys have any respect for me.”
Ramstrom started 8th in the 15-car field as part of the track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program, and he quickly worked his way onto the rear bumper of former track champion Mike O’Sullivan. Ramstrom tried several different moves to get past O’Sullivan — but never could pull off the pass for the lead.
Finally, entering the final two turns, Ramstrom tried to get under O’Sullivan — first getting picked by a lapped car on the bottom of the track and then getting pinched down to the apron by the leader. Ramstrom’s left side tires caught the infield dirt, and he spun out as O’Sullivan went on to win.
“After all these incidents, it’s just ridiculous,” said Ramstrom, who also was involved in an accident two weeks earlier while racing with the leaders. “Hopefully, it will be different this week. I know that I can’t let this stuff keep happening, and I know what I have to do about it.”
Ramstrom said that learning the ins and outs of close-quarters racing comes with experience.
“Look at O’Sullivan and all the championships he’s won at Thompson. He has a ton of experience at racing like this — and so he should be good at it. It’s just a learning curve for me.
“It’s only going to make me better as a driver and get me prepared for whatever other series I race with in the future.”
Thompson’s Super Late Model division returns to action on Thursday night, June 24, with a 30-lap feature. Racing begins at 5:45 p.m.