Page 5C JulyTHE 1, NORTH 2020 THEGEORGIA NORTH NEWS GEORGIA July 1, NEWS 2020 Page 5C NASCAR 2020 Hill... continued from Page 4C By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter ris was where I wanted to go. a small town and was looking for NGN: Why did you start a school that had a small-town, Three NASCAR Races In One Day At Pocono taking a harder look at Young Blairsville-like feel. LONG POND, PA - NA- Harris? Was there something NGN: Did you consider SCAR held three races Sun., that changed your mind during any other schools? June 28 at Pocono Raceway. those last few weeks? AH: I spoke with Shorter It was the first time three NA- AH: Not really. Well, quite a bit but eventually turned SCAR series races were raced maybe kind of. I guess it was just them down. That was a little too on the same day at the same a combination of being out of far from home, especially when track. school and the basketball season I had Young Harris as an option. Denny Hamlin won Sun- coming to an end. I really missed I’m also more familiar with day’s Cup Series race, with playing ball and being around (Coach Huffman) than I am with Chase Briscoe getting the Xfin- my friends and teammates. the Shorter coach. Plus, I know ity Series race. Brandon Jones I started talking it over her a lot better. was victorious in the Truck race. There was also a Saturday with my family and came to NGN: You posted your Cup Series race won by Kevin the conclusion that that’s what I announcement on social media. Harvick. wanted to do. But now that you’ve had time Hamlin led 49 laps of NGN: Would you say your for the decision to marinate, is Sunday’s 140-lap race, but was family was in the pro-Young there anything you would like running behind Harvick, who Harris camp? If it were me, I to add to it, anyone you want to decided to pit with 36 laps re- would want my son/daughter to mention? Andelin Hill on Union County maining. Hamlin took the lead, High’s virtual signing day. Kevin Harvick, Winner Of Saturday’s Cup Race stay nearby so I could see them AH: I would like to thank but waited for about 10 more and attend every home game. everyone that helped me along Isaac Peugh, for filming and laps before he entered the pits. needed to be to start the race AH: That was a big thing the way - all of the camps I’ve doing the videos for the school. He was able to get out of the pits and lost a bunch of track po- for me; that was a big thing for attended, my travel-ball team- And people like you that covered and back on the track in front of sition, but we came back and all of us. Being able to stay close mates, coaches and everyone us, took pictures and always Harvick. From then on, it was made some great strategy calls got our names out there to help Hamlin’s race to lose, and he to home and having my family that hosted camps for us. to get in clean air and get out promote us. took the checkered flag 3.068- front and make some good come to all of my games is im- I’m also thankful for ev- seconds ahead of Harvick. laps,” said Harvick. “It’s great portant. I also wanted to stay in eryone at the high school, like “Yeah, we had great to finally check Pocono off the strategy,” said Hamlin. “To- list.” day’s race was really won in Aric Almirola, who led Sanchez... continued from Page 4C the shop. It’s unreal the way the most laps (61 of 130 laps) since my 400 times had come NGN: You said earlier hope to make as a freshman? this car performed. There at the was third, followed by Christo- down. that Mercer didn’t have your ZS: I am really hoping end all I had to do was work my pher Bell, Kyle Busch, Martin NGN: How do you stay major. What was your original that I can (contribute). Mercer way through traffic.” Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer, Mi- motivated to win another cham- major and what changed? signed a really strong class for Hamlin was second to chael McDowell, Brad Kesel- pionship when you’re already ZS: At first, I wanted to cross country, and we’re also Harvick on Saturday, so their owski, and Chris Buescher. won State three times. major in Microbiology, but now bringing in a transfer, so I’m 1-2 finish was reversed a day HOW WILL Denny Hamlin, Winner Of Sun- ZS: I feel like I have I’m going to major in Biology excited to see how I stack up later. JOHNSON GO OUT with a focus on microbiology, against all the other new girls. For Harvick, finishing day’s Cup Race something to prove to myself. Jimmie Johnson has an- I also hope that I can make an second was bittersweet. nounced this will be his last I’m not concerned with what which I can do at Mercer. Then ning Richard drove his secre- I hope to go on and do my impact overall because most “Our Ford was fast,” said season in NASCAR racing. tary home after she had worked other people think, but I have Harvick. “We got caught up in Right now, it seems as late at the race car shop. Al- to show it to myself. It’s a Graduate Degree. of the older girls have been lap traffic there at the end and though Johnson has either a though this was an innocent battle with myself. Whenever NGN: What will you together for a long time. wasn’t able to catch Denny. mental block or lost confi- gesture, he did mention it to his I go out there, my head tells do when you’re all done with NGN: Is there anything Maybe we should have pitted dence. wife because he knew her jeal- me that I can’t do it, and that’s school? that worries you about compet- differently. We just didn’t get “I’m human,” Johnson ous nature. what motivates me to prove ZS: Well, it’s kind of a ing at the next level? it done.” said. “I would assume every Later that night Richard that I can. big word, but I want to be a ZS: Not really. I trust my Erik Jones was third, fol- athlete would … it’s easy to and his wife were driving out NGN: Another secret Parasitologist. It’s a person training, so I’m not very wor- lowed by Chase Elliott, Aric have your confidence shaken. to dinner in Charlotte. Sud- you need to share is how you who studies parasites. I will be ried about the step up in com- Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto, When you get on a roll and feel denly he noticed a high-heeled on the clinical side, so I’ll offer petition. My biggest concern is William Byron, Clint Bowyer, stayed healthy while competing that momentum on a positive shoe half hidden under the pas- in all those different events for treatment and provide aid to balancing sports and academics Alex Bowman, and Martin side, it works for you. senger seat. Not wanting to be Truex Jr. “And then when it goes four years? those with parasites. and being able to focus enough conspicuous, he waited until NGN: Did you consider on each one. But I think once I Kurt Busch was the win- the other way, if you shank a his wife was looking out her ZS: Well, it helps to be a ner of Stage 1, while Brad Kes- ball in a golf tournament, and window before he scooped up hypochondriac. If I start having any other schools? get there, I’ll be fine. elowski took Stage 2. you go, ‘Oh, no. I’ve got the the shoe and threw it out the any pain, I freak out and every- ZS: I talked to Colum- NGN: Is there anyone Kyle Busch is still win- shanks.’ If you’re not perform- car. one is like, it’s alright; you’re bus State and Kennesaw, but you want to mention or thank? less. He was tapped from be- ing well on the race track, you With a sigh of relief, he fine. So I guess it just helps to both of them sort of fell by the ZS: I want to thank hind by Ryan Blaney on lap 74 go, ‘Man. Am I a part of this pulled into the restaurant park- be that way. wayside once I started talking my team, my parents and my and hit the wall. His car was problem?’” ing lot. That’s when he noticed NGN: How and when did with Mercer. coaches. My mom would al- damaged too much for him to During the Talladega his wife squirming around in you find yourself on Mercer’s NGN: Did you two dis- ways drive me and show up continue and he finished 38th. race, Johnson had a fast car. He her seat. radar? cuss running both track and at my meets. Even when she Top-10 leaders: 1. Har- was making his way to the front “Honey,” she asked, cross country at Mercer, or will couldn’t make it, she would call vick-581, 2.