LAS VEGAS — Twenty-year-old Utah sprint car driver Natalie Waters returns to the Nov. 14-16 BITNILE.com Open Wheel Showdown full of confidence in both her ability and equipment.
Waters failed to make the A-main for last year’s event at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. She experienced mechanical woes during Thursday’s practice day and got very little practice. Things didn’t get any better after that.
She returns to the event this year with another full season of winged pavement sprint car racing under her belt, and an upgraded race car. Things are looking to take off in the right direction this year.
“I feel a lot more confident this year,” explained Waters. “Last year we were still learning a lot about the car. I was still learning a lot about sprint cars in general. I feel this year we’ve got a more solid ground to start off on. We’ve had issues that kind of started in Las Vegas. We’ve recovered since then. I feel we’re already five steps ahead.
“Last year when we showed up to Las Vegas we only got two minutes of practice because the drive train broke. Everybody else got the entire day. We were way behind. I already feel a lot more confident because we’re coming with a lot better race car.”
Waters is returning with the same car she ran last year, albeit with several updates.
“It’s the same car but we’ve updated a lot. Last year we burned the motor down in Las Vegas. It’s the same motor, but we’ve had it completely gone through and repaired,” Waters said. “We had an overheating issue all year last season. Now we’ve gone through everything in the car. We have a new radiator, steering pump, literally everything that’s on the car is brand new. We were like ‘We’re done having issues, so let’s replace everything.’
“It’s the same motor, same chassis, and everything like that. Everything else is brand new.”
Waters has had an impressive season.
“We’ve had a lot of success this year with the shorter races. Last year we had to come off the track way more times than naught because of the overheating issues. This year we won three heat races, did well in Colorado and finished second in the dash in Colorado.
“The Skunk Cup 50 at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho, was a big one,” Waters explained. “I was running second and passing for the lead. Me and the leader kinda got tangled up and went to the back. I got back up to fourth or fifth and the motor started getting hot and I had to come off. I was confident. If not a win, a good finishing spot. Now that we’ve got our overheating issues corrected, I feel good about Las Vegas.
“I think our biggest goal this year is to make the race. If we can make the race, and finish it, we will come back happy. There are so many drivers that are going to be there. Many of them have experience, and they are coming to win. Those are our two biggest goals as well as bringing the car back in one piece.”