Craig Stanton has been racing for over 22 years, and participated today in the practice and qualifying trials for the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series.
Stanton, a driver of the No. 5 Porsche 911 RSR car, spoke to the Daily Forty-Niner after the practice event for the Le Mans Series.
Stanton said that his previous experience in racing goes beyond cars. “I’ve raced eight years of motocross and supercross before [racing cars]. It’s really fun.”
Stanton is excited to be in his hometown of Long Beach. “I live about a 20 minute bike ride from here so I’ve been riding in every day. I’ve got my bike and I train pretty hard,” Stanton said. “It’s fun to be back [at] home and sleep in my own bed and training on my own program. It’s really nice.”
Stanton said he appreciated the support he received here in Long Beach. “All my friends and family are supporting me this weekend. It’s really fun,” he said.
“Long Beach is a special place,” Stanton said. “It’s got so much heritage and [the Grand Prix] been around for so long. It started back in the Formula One days in the early ’80s and it’s progressed into something really special now.”
Stanton said that he appreciated both the racing and the non-racing activities at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. “It’s like a big party for all ages. We have very technical stuff with the racing to concerts tonight. Long Beach is all about just having a great time, coming together and just seeing some good racing, eating some good food and having some good fun.”
Stanton will be driving the No. 5 car in tomorrow’s race.
