Get To Know Malta & Fonda Pro Stock Racer Ivan Joslin

Column By: PHYLICIA CADWELL / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – I wanted to take a moment to give the Race Pro Weekly readers an opportunity to get to know Ivan Joslin, driver of the #94 Pro Stock at Albany-Saratoga and Fonda Speedways.

Phylicia: My first question is what made you decide to race at Albany-Saratoga Speedway this season. Anything in particular?

Ivan: Sponsorship. Bellevue Builders are competitors with Curtis Lumber in business and with Curtis Lumber going on the car of Kim Duell, a sponsorship showed up and wanted me to compete against him. He definitely has more experience than I do at Albany-Saratoga so he has the upper hand, but we will figure it out.

Phylicia: Awesome. Sponsorship is always great to have. What are your goals for this season, if you have any figured out so far?

Ivan: The main goal is always a championship, but that’s what every driver and teams always strive for. The next best thing is to be competitive at every race, both at Albany-Saratoga and Fonda this season. Wins and solid runs are my more reachable goals.

Phylicia: Those goals sound great. Now, on to a different topic. Who do you think is the biggest influence on your driving style?

Ivan: Driving style is hard. I’m not a typical dirt driver. I like to keep my car as straight as possible to give me more drive…not throwing it sideways, *laughs*.

But, I’m definitely a huge fan of Stewart Friesen and the way he drives. Being friends with his family doesn’t hurt either, *laughs*.

Phylicia: Ha-ha. Who got you into racing? Was it a family member, or maybe just going to the races as a kid?

Ivan: My dad and uncle raced Enduros, and then moved to Street Stocks here and there so as a kid growing up around it, it definitely sparked an interest. I started to bring my neighbors to the races when I was 16 and I said I could do that no problem. So next year I got a Street Stock and the rest is history.

Phylicia: Wow very interesting. So you were basically born to be a racer you think?

Ivan: Definitely when you’re born into a racing family. My grandfather that I was named after, who I never met, actually owned a racecar and I have a picture of him in his car back from 1949. Kind of cool.

Phylicia: Sweet. Lots of family history. What do you think kept you in the sport? Was it the love? Maybe the family history?

Ivan: Definitely the love of the sport. You create a family and friends through the sport and competition *laughs* It’s like a drug.

Phylicia: I agree it’s a drug. I can’t stop going either. What do you think of your second place finish at Fonda a few week’s back?

Ivan: It was a good run. Always looking to improve , but it felt good. We struggled the past year, but getting the feeling back that I like in the car and being competitive again is a great feeling. In this sport, it’s a roller coaster so you have to take the good when it comes. There are more downs than ups in racing.

Phylicia: This is true. I think the fans loved watching how competitive it got near the end. It was a great race to watch. Do you have any advice to someone who is just starting out in the sport?

Ivan: Don’t get frustrated *laughs* Racing is a very competitive sport it takes time to be good, let alone great. It’s defiantly a watch, listen and learn-type sport with set ups, tire preps and seat time. You need all the seat time you can get. Don’t think you will get good just one or two times out. Keep with it, and in time, it will become natural.

Phylicia: Awesome tips. Definitely great for new comers to the sport. Do you have anything else to say before we wrap this up?

Ivan: I would like to thank all my sponsors Bellevue Builders, Owens Corning, Scensty by Kyle Joslin, Hornlady Motorsports, Bill Billings, Bart’s Home Improvement, Lenny’s Tire Service, Steve and Linda Vanyo, Haslun Racing, Leggits Towing and Parks Electric.

I would also like to thank my crew for all their hard work. Thanks Dennis Joslin, Cliff Haslun, and Kyle Joslin.