T: Where do you see the import race scene going in 2001?LK: I see this new generation of racing going in the same direction as it has been for years-straight uphill! There's a lot more high-quality cars in every class and more opportunities for everyone involved.
T: Where do you see the sport going long-term?LK: The scene is moving toward the NHRA level a lot faster than we all think. Soon there's going to be big rigs as tow vehicles, 40,000 plus in the stands and, 100 or more cars trying to qualify for the pro fields. As long as we all help each other and stick together, we will all reap the benefits. These next years are our proving years. It has taken NHRA over 50 years to get where they are, it has taken our generation of racing less than 10 years and look at the progress.
T: How do you figure into the scene in 2001?LK: For the 2001 season, I plan on looking back at the mistakes made in the 2000 season and correcting them. Along with a lot more traveling and meeting more new faces, I expect to remain competitive on the track. My fans are my number-one motivation and I really value the people I have met, took pictures with, signed autographs for, and even hung out with. They are the primary reason Lisa Kubo Racing progresses at such a pace.
T: What about long term?LK: I plan on racing until I am physically buried in my car! I also hope that this racing blood is passed on through the Kubo generations forever.
T: That's about as long term as it can get.LK: Yeah.
T: Have you considered building another car? If so what? Are you going to build another car?LK: Oh, most definitely. I need another car. I don't want to say what type of car yet because we're still looking for the body. I plan on staying with a fwd car but haven't decided what class it's going to compete in.
T: With all your experience, the travel, the passes, winning , losing what is Lisa Kubo's philosophy of racing?LK: My philosophy in racing is no matter who you are, what you have achieved, just never forget where you came from.
T: Describe some of your outrageous experiences on the road, on the track, in the garage.LK: These past two seasons have been the greatest. I have grown extremely close to a lot of the guys. From the late-night Walmart shopping sprees, the rental van bumper cars, to helping everyone choose that correct shade of blonde, the funky airplane music, to hitting air pockets that sent our plane plunging for 500 feet toward the ground, there have been a lot of memories made. The serious days when all of us bonded together to help each other get our cars running. The "Oh, no. We're on the wrong side of the Holland Tunnel. Hey, watch out! Those taxis aren't slowing down! We're gonna die!"
The late-night meetings with the Jotech crew at Denny's for coffee. I've been through tornado watches, insane thunderstorms in Indiana where the lightining is practically striking the trailer and visibility is zero. Toll roads are horrible, NJ must hate left turns and, by the way, don't get caught trying to fuel your own car there! Colorado's mountains are too high. Drivers in Chicago play Frogger with the pedestrians. If you can make it across the street, consider yourself lucky! Playing "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" with all the questions pertaining to the NHRA rulebook answered via walkie talkies.
We're all professionals in this industry, but we still make time to have fun together and that's what makes this new generation of drag racers so different; we're all one big family until the green light flashes.