“Digging Deep With Denise” is a semi-regular question and answer feature with local racers and racing personalities produced by RaceDayCT’s Denise DuPont
Continuing to Have Fun: Eric Goodale Modified Driver
Eric Goodale of Riverhead, N.Y., started his 2021 NASCAR Whelen Modfied Tour season with a win at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. In 2022 Goodale won the Sunoco World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway. The 2023 season finds Goodale and his wife, Amanda, busy with their boys and involved in multiple sports. Their oldest son Mason is currently racing Bandoleros and scored his first victory at Riverhead (N.Y) Raceway on June 13. Three days later Goodale himself followed up by winning the Casella Waste Open Modified 80 at Stafford Speedway.
After 14 consecutive years of running full-time on the Whelen Modified Tour, Goodale has cut back to a part-time schedule in 2023. From the start of the 2009 season to the fourth race of this season Goodale, started every NASCAR Whelen Mod Tour event, a span of 207 consecutive series starts. Goodale made his 200th Whelen Modified Tour start at Thompson on Aug. 17, 2022. Overall he has 211 series starts.
Why do you race?
“Because it is fun and the competitiveness of it honestly. My parents and I came to an agreement a long time ago. When I was racing Go-Karts when I was 12 years old that the day that it stops being fun is the day that we stop racing. We are still having fun and I enjoy it even more now with my kids which has caused a rebirth of my passion for it.”
What are your goals for 2023?
“Just to win as many races as we can. It is cool to run second and third but we are not running for points in any series this year. We are going to tracks and races that we want to go to. It is just about chasing some checkered flags and laughing about it while we do it.
If you were not racing, what would you want to do?
“I probably would be working more hours at work. And I definitely would have a hobby that would take my time up. Before I had kids I did not know what that would be. Now that I have kids and if we did not race, we would probably be involved in more sports than we are right now.”
If you had your choice to compete in any race division what would it be?
“Each series brings its own certain dynamic to it. The Whelen Modified Tour obviously brings the competiveness and that is what I love most about the Whelen Tour. But the Stafford Open Shows are a lot more laid back. It is a lot easier of a day to go to and race. We have a lot of fun doing these races. I like this Open format they have going at Stafford. This is the first year in the last fourteen years of my life that I am not running a series for points and I like it without the added pressure of points. I like the Stafford Open format as well as the Whelen Tour.”
What is your long term goals?
“Honestly it is to just continue to have fun when we show up at the track. Our goal is like any other professional sport or team – to show up and be the best. As long as you are competitive it is hard not to have fun. We will just continue to show up and put our best food forward and put ourselves in contention to win.”
What track(s) do you prefer to run?
“Concord Motor Speedway [in Concord, N.C.] was our favorite track. I really enjoyed racing at Martinsville. I enjoyed racing at Bristol Motor Speedway [in Bristol, Tenn.]. I love racing at Stafford. When it comes to local tracks, Stafford is my favorite to do. If I could pick a race that I could run without having to travel, I would love to race at Martinsville ten times a year.”
What does media not cover in racing that you think that they should be covering?
“Being a dad, and I love being a dad, I love my kids more than anything. I think that the outside life of a racer should be covered. We all live very different lives. Being a dad of two and having another one on the way, she is due in September and we are excited about it. Just what we do outside of the track. Like we all work on our cars and do things but I spend countless hours at my kids sporting events and doing things that they enjoy doing. When they enjoy doing things, I enjoy doing them. It is just cool to have the family aspect included in there sometimes.”
If you could change anything with Modified Racing, what would you change?
“I would say to have every race be a change race with at least one tire. Caution laps not count and hopefully get more sponsors onboard and have more purse money for the year to make it a little more feasible for some of the smaller teams to compete every week.”
Thanks Denise!
Couple of weeks back, I was surprised with no Goodale on an entry list. Threw it out there, but must have missed the response as to why no Goodale.
Thanks to you, I now know why, and it is gratefully appreciated! Can’t blame him for sure, but I’ll miss wondering..should I pick him or not, in the pick 6! He always made picking more of a challenge, cause you just never knew. Always a threat.
Thank you!
Funny I thought Goodale in the last few years was turning into a terrific points racer but wins few and far between. Now he says he’s only in it to win it so we’ll see if that changes his approach to races. Guys a cool cat, always good to see him in a race and the 58 team a credit to the division.
I definitely could see Goodale turning in a good finish in this race if they’ve kept up with their equipment. Potential heartbreakers would be Emerling for sure. Maybe Catalano, Rypkema and Catalano. Who do you gamble on? Dowling in the 17 a gigantic question mark I won’t be touching that pick. Williams in the Tomaino 99, Max, Santos, LaJoie.
Who are we all picking? 16, 51, 64, 7ny? Only two spots to dabble with a a lot of cars to consider taking a shot with.
Hope we get a good turnout.
Thanks Denise, good insight always liked Goodale, and he’s become quite a talented driver. Looking forward to more interviews. Keep up the good work
LaJoie should romp in New Hampshire.