Name and age –
Amanda Odom my age 17
Greg Hall, 16
What school do you go to, what grade are you in and what town do you live in?
Amanda – I go to TR high school. I am going in to the 11th grade. I live in Marietta sc.
Greg – I go to Pickens High. I’m in the 11th grade now and I live in Cleveland
What is your favorite subject in school?
Amanda – I would have to say math.
Greg – History
What would you like to have as your career later on in life?
Amanda – I would love to work and paint and build cars and race for a career.
Greg – I would like to be a machine tech man.
Do you plan to go to college?
Amanda – Yeah i plan on going to tech.
Greg – Yes
Since you both started racing this year, how does it feel to compete with each other?
Amanda – I love it. It is a lot of fun. It is really fun to scare Greg’s mother and sometimes my mother but that’s hard to do because she is so calm when me and Greg is out on the track running side by side but it is a ball of fun and I love it.
Greg – I love it. It’s great to see what we can do without relying on the other and to see who can best the other this week.
Do you ever get angry with each other during a race for an unexpected bump up?
Amanda – No not at all the bumping in a way helps me get faster.
Greg – No she bumps me just playing around so i return the favor.
Does anyone else in your family race? If so when and where did or do they race?
Amanda – My dad did and still does every once in a while. He ran at River Side and TR Speedway a few times.
Greg – My dad used to race at Riverside. He raced from 1991-98 and now he is letting me take over.
How do you two feel about being called the “Young Love Birds of TR”?
Amanda – I love it. I love having my man out there with me racing side by side. I even love that my man loves to do what I love to do. I really like being called that.
Greg – Well I like it but I’m not with her to please anyone else other than me and her. People always talk and say we will not last long because we race together but I see no problem in it. We are not out to get each other only to help each other and have fun.
Who is your favorite local driver?
Amanda – That would have to be my man Wildman.
Greg – That’s an easy one. Its the man Timmy Smith. GO TIMMY!!!
Who is your favorite national driver?
Amanda – That would be JR or Tony Stewart
Greg – Carl Edwards because he does back flips. lol
Is TR going to continue to be your home track?
Amanda – Yes it always will be my home track.
Greg – Yes for as long as my racing career lasts.
What do you do besides race for fun?
Amanda – I work on cars. I ride 4-wheelers, hang with my friends and family, spend time with Greg and I really like to listen to my music.
Greg – I skate, play pool, hang with friends, play games, go on dates, play any and all sports, and play on the computer a lot.
What is your favorite track in the whole US?
Amanda – I really don’t have one yet.
Greg – Talladega Super Speedway
Do you plan on continuing to race and if so what division would you like to eventually be in?
Amanda – Yes and I would like to run Crates with the big boys.
Greg – Yes for as long as money will allow. I would like to race in stock 4 with Benji and all the greats of that division.
Do you work on your car, have a crew or both?
Amanda – I do work on my car now. i have to say my dad (Kenny Odom) dose the most work. I would even like to say if it was not for my brother (Matt) and my dad working over the winter I would not have my car. They built that car and I did not really help at all so I would say thanks little/big brother.( I say little because he is my little brother but I say big because he is a lot bigger thin me)lol but yeah my brother and my dad would be my pit crew.
Greg – Both me and my dad work on it during the week and my crew(Aaron Mobley, Chris Gastley, and Derrick Clark) help me on the weekends and at the track.
Do you have anyone you would like to thank for their support or help in any way?
Amanda – My dad (Kenny Odom) and my brother (Matt Odom) for working so hard on my car over the winter. I would love to thank my mom (Cathy Odom) if it was not for her I would never be living my dream. she put so much money in to my car and my dream. I love all of yall SO SO SO MUCH!!!! and Thank you so so MUCH!!!!!
Greg – Yes, I would like to thank all who made this possible. (James Hall, Anna Hall, Chris Gastley, Shannon Barnhill, Berry and Benji Griffin, Amanda Odom, Kenny Odom, C & J Utilities, and Chris Brookshire.)
How long after realizing you wanted to race did it take you to get your car on the track?
Amanda – I been wanting to race for 9 years now and I didn’t get my car till I was about 17.
Greg – About 2 years. My dad and Chris talked about it for a while and we got it all done for this year.
How nervous were you the first time you came onto the dirt track for a race and does it get easier every time?
Amanda – I was very nervous because I didn’t want to let my dad down and my mom down and yes it does get a little easier every weekend. If I get my car to drive like I want it to…
Greg – I couldn’t keep my hands from shaking and it gets a little easier as we go along. I still get a little nervous but that because I’m learning.
Have you had an instance yet that scared you while in a race?
Amanda – O YES…. when that 2x car flipped right in front of me. Now that scared me so so bad…. I thought I was going to have to change my pants after that. It scared me the most so far.
Greg – Yes. When the 04 car hit me on the back stretch the first time I went out. and Amanda scares me when I have to keep from hitting her or when someone is beating on her.
What would you tell anyone who wanted to start racing?
Amanda – It is a lot of fun. It is challenging and it takes a little…well lets just say it take some money to get stared and to keep running.
Greg – Don’t be in it for the money because you spend more than you make and it’s a lot of fun once you learn. Its very addictive and enjoy it.
For Greg – How did it feel to get your first win?
It was unbelievable. I hope that it was the first of many and that my girl will get her first one soon. And I am proud that she is second in points. I hope she wins them.
For Amanda – How does it feel to be second so far in points?
I love it. I would really like to win points this year. So far it is easy to do good in points. as long as I am there every weekend and I plan on being there every weekend but I do like it a lot. Most people are very surprised when they see I am second it points.
© 2009, Dirt Track Gone Wild. 2008 – 2012 Dirt track Gone Wild All rights reserved.
Being first, sescond or last does not matter, as long as one is satisfied with his performance. Great interview of the two, thank you very much for making it public.