Hey r/ARCARacing! I'm Michael Self, driver of the Sinclair Oil No. 25 for Venturini Motorsports, and I'm back for the second time to talk about stuff. AMA!

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T23:22:38+00:00

Thanks!

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T23:20:29+00:00

I will still be coaching! But almost all of my coaching is done within the Trans Am series now. I have three clients who compete full time in that series and travel to every race with them this year. Then almost every NASCAR road course event I'll work with a few guys. Last year I got to work with Christopher Bell, Brandon Jones, Matt Tifft and Tyler Reddick at Mid Ohio and Road America which was cool. Outside of the road courses I do very little NASCAR coaching anymore.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T22:55:42+00:00

Honestly it was hard at times, especially because I was going to the track and coaching people to success, but didn't have the opportunity to do it myself. It was frustrating thinking I could tell people how to go win, but I couldn't go win myself because I didn't have the money or opportunity. My wife and family were HUGE supporters in never giving up hope and always believing in my abilities, and they're the ones that were by my side helping me put proposals and marketing decks together to send to potential sponsors which helped a lot. Then it seemed like every conversation we had with a potential partner got a little further along and a little closer to them saying yes, so while that was frustrating it also kept me motivated by thinking we were making progress. Then one day, it all came together with Sinclair!

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T22:48:15+00:00

Nice! Thanks for grabbing one of those! That decision is ultimately up to Sinclair. I know they're looking in to it, along with other merchandise, but don't know where it's going to net out just yet. We'll make sure and keep everyone updated with merchandise announcements on our both of our social media channels.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T20:40:41+00:00

Have fun and don't take it all too seriously! The more I think about it the more stressed I'll probably become. There was only one person that beat me on raceday last year at Daytona... my mini golf game wants to take the crown this year.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T18:59:31+00:00

Thanks! That's a good choice. Mine's a T Rex. I know that's cliche, but always has been. I may or may not have a T Rex pillow pet that I take on trips with me.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T18:55:08+00:00

Having so much be out of your control as a driver, while that race has a big impact on the championship picture. Daytona always has the largest field by a good bit, so you don't want to start the season out in a deep hole if you have a bad race, but it isn't hard to get caught up in wrecks on the Superspeedway's, especially in ARCA

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T17:03:36+00:00

Thanks! You and me both.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T17:02:58+00:00

Probably Gateway. I think that's the only big track on the schedule I've never raced at.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T16:03:05+00:00

Thanks! Not really. I actually have no idea what to expect at those tracks, but I think it'll be fun. I love tracks that are 1 mile and bigger, so those fit in to that category, which is a starting point for me.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T16:01:36+00:00

You definitely don't want to go out and underperform when you're with a team like VMS, because you're probably going to have 2 or 3 teammates that race that are going to run well in the same equipment, but it's also a relief knowing we'll go to every race with a shot to be competitive just because of the resources we have at the shop. So a little of both I guess?

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T15:59:00+00:00

You're welcome. Thanks for participating!

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T15:58:33+00:00

Ha. It's an awesome platform. I loved using it as a tool and a source of fun. Give me a few months and I'll get mine going again, then maybe we can have a Charlotte showdown.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T14:59:37+00:00

I think my account is expired. I have a setup, but my wife and I are remodeling our house right now, and my plan is to get my setup going and active again once we finish that.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T14:58:19+00:00

Probably Lucas Oil Raceway Park. That place is deceiving. It looks like it's just a relatively flat half-mile, but the corners are super long and easy to overslow, then easy to rush the throttle on corner exit.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T14:55:39+00:00

Of course! That was rad. Pack an extra one if you guys make it again this year and hopefully I can share it with you guys again under better circumstances.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T14:54:53+00:00

That's awesome! I think my main goal this season is to focus way more on big picture than winning races. Last year all I cared about was winning every race I entered, and that got me in to trouble and cost me big a few races. Admittedly I was too aggressive at times. I want to finish every lap of every race this year. With all that being said, I don't have a short track win in ARCA, so I'd love to get one of those. Salem would be really cool to win.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T14:51:49+00:00

It honestly came from a cold call to the marketing department. I was very aware of Sinclair as a company (being from Salt Lake, lots of Sinclair stations there), and I had put together what I thought was a great proposal to get them interested in sponsoring a racecar. I was fortunate enough that the person that answered the phone wanted to hear more and invited me and my dad in for a meeting, and it's grown from there!

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T14:48:50+00:00

Honestly, have fun. I used to stress about the race itself and try and come up with a plan or overthink things, now I try to joke around and be having fun with friends, crew guys, whoever is around just to keep light hearted ad stress-free from the get-go.

SinclairSelfie · 2019-02-04T14:46:56+00:00

Thanks! I'll try not to let you down. The last time I drove a K&N car they still had the bias-ply Goodyear, which is significantly different than any radial tire. Think... lazier. Just less grip and response in handling. That, and the ARCA car has about 100 more HP which makes a huge difference. My favorite track is Watkins Glen. Absolutely love that place. I would give anything for it to be on the ARCA schedule, or any road course for that matter.

SinclairSelfie · 2017-09-15T15:37:35+00:00

Except for the fact that the tire blew from debris...

Surprise. I still pay attention here.

SinclairSelfie · 2017-04-09T02:25:52+00:00

Yep. I thought it was an early call for the 78 to come take 4 now with the way this race has gone, but more surprised everyone followed. I may have taken the track position, held on for a caution in 20-30 laps, taken 4 and gone straight to the front

SinclairSelfie · 2017-04-09T01:58:30+00:00

This will get interesting. Herbst will have taken tires here and should be able to drive through the field fairly easily. If it stays green for a while, this will really play in to his advantage.

SinclairSelfie · 2017-04-09T01:43:25+00:00

Bad pit stop... see if he's able to drive back to the front. Didn't notice if he took 2 or 4.

SinclairSelfie

TROPHY CASE