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Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to another installment of Driver Q&A’s as I had the opportunity to talk to the “Real Deal” Riley Neal rookie driver racing in Sportman series, and son of former driver and 2018 Sportsman Series Champion Kevin Neal, also great-nephew of Tommy “Tiger” Neal. Riley picked up his first career win at Bowman Gray this past weekend in just his second career start.
Becoming the youngest “official” winner in BGS History, dethroning John Holleman IV as the youngest, John was 15 Years, 1 Month, 19 Days. Riley shattered that record at 14 Years, 4 Months and 23 Days. Riley also won the 602 tour title at Caraway back in 2021, along with multiple wins.
Q: What was it that got you interested in racing?
A: My father, he’s been racing at Bowman Gray since before I was born.
Q: You scored your first win of many to come at the Madhouse this past Saturday, How special was it for you to hold off your Great Uncle Tommy Neal (Papaw) for the win?
A: It was incredible to race with him and I appreciate him running me as clean as he did.
Q. With your dad being a former racer (Kevin Neal) have y’all ever gone out and tried to see who could run the fastest lap time?
A: Well no doubt Dad can still get it done. We’re pretty close together on times, but then again I’m just getting to where I can give feedback at the stadium since I’ve learned the track.
Q: Have you tried to talk your dad into coming out of retirement to race with you at the Madhouse?
A: All the time, I really wish me and him would get the opportunity that me and my paw paw Tommy have gotten.
Q: Where does your win at Bowman Gray rank compared to other tracks you’ve won at.
A: It goes way over all the other trophy’s I have, it’s an incredible feeling and on top of that the records I broke.
Q: What is it like being able to race side by side with Papaw (Tommy Neal)?
A: It’s amazing to be able to race door to door with one of my biggest heroes ever, someone that has been somewhat the Grandpa figure in my life
Q: Coming from a racing family, how much pressure does it put on you to win and go out there and be the best?
A: It puts a lot of pressure to show that you have it and you can do it, but I feel like Saturday that I have what it takes to carry on the Neal name.
Q: Who would you say you look forward to racing against, and beside in this season and in the future? Any particular driver or drivers?
A: I’m grateful for any opportunity to race against someone with more experience that can teach me a thing or two
Q: You’ve raced at other tracks, what would you say is different about Bowman Gray compared to other tracks?
A: Definitely a lot different on size, how fast everything happens, the fast paced restarts.
Q: Last question, it’s something I like to ask drivers. “If you could race against any legendary driver (BGS or NASCAR) who would it be?”
A: My dad or Kyle Busch
Q: You became the youngest “official” winner in BGS History, as you dethrone John Holleman IV as the youngest, How special is that to have your name put in the record books as the youngest winner not to mention it was just your second start at the Madhouse.
A: It feels amazing to already crush records on my second week in and to set the bar pretty high for the up and coming drivers like myself.
I’d like to thank Riley for taking the time to do an interview with me, also I’d like to wish Riley continued luck for the rest of this season.
Be sure you check out next Saturday’s (May 7th) action as it’ll be the Kevin Powell Motorsports 100, 100 lap Modified race, including races from Sportsman, Street Stock, and Stadium Stock division.
Tune into The Pit Stop with Brett Wiseman, weekly series dedicated to Bowman Gray Coverage, Mondays in season on TobaccoRoadSportsRadio.com and all major podcast platforms
