Ladies and Gentlemen, I had the opportunity to talk to the young 14 year old phenom Paulie Hartwig III from Galloway New Jersey. Hartwig III recently announced on social media that he intends to make his debut at the famous Bowman Gray Stadium known as the Madhouse May 24th for the Twin 25’s. While most know of him from running the SMART tour.
Hartwig recently became the youngest winner in SMART tour history after winning at Hickory Motor Speedway. He has also competed in series such as the Carolina Crate Modified Series, the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour, the Indoor Auto Racing Championship, and the Short Track Super Series.
Q: What got you interested in racing?
A: My dad started racing when i was born and he got me a go kart to run in the back yard and i ran about 200 laps every day.
Q: How special is it to be the youngest SMART winner in history?
A: It feels really good to become the youngest winner in history I felt really emotional beating a lot of really good guys that have been racing for a while.
Q: Of all of your wins what win stands out the most as your favorite one?
A: When I won North Wilkesboro at 11 years old.
Q: You recently announced you were going to race at the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium, what are your expectations for the race?
A: To just go to Bowman Gray to get a good finish in the twin 25 races and try to be smart.
Q: What is some of the best advice you have received from another competitor?
A: Carson Loftin gave me some great advice to just ride around in 5th and just saved my tires at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Q: Could we see you running the Stadium more in the future?
A: Umm probably not and I always wanted to run a lot there but it’s probably gonna just be 1 time.
Q: What track do you enjoy racing at?
A: North Wilkesboro, I love racing that track
Q: Who would you say is your favorite competitor to race against?
A: Ryan Newman, Carson Loftin, Luke Baldwin.
Q: Last question, it’s something I like to ask drivers. “If you could race against any legendary driver who would it be?”
A: Martin Truex Jr, I would love to race against him in a modified.
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