2014 AERS: Giacalone Motorsports

Name: Herb Cilantro
Gender: Male
Family (if applicable): Parents; Joe and Rose
2 Siblings; Amanda and Thomas
Birthdate: June 19, 1984
Birthplace: Bristol, TN
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: 50% Italian, 50% Irish
Car Number: 42
Team: 426 Motorsports
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Rookie Season: 2009
Victories: 3
Qualifier Victories: 0
Championships: 1
Favorite Track: Bristol
Favorite Hobbies: Racing, researching natural remedies
Résumé:
-Got his start in racing by driving late models for local series at Bristol Motor Speedway.
-Earned his first victory in the thrilling McKinley finish of 2009 and backed that up with another win at Texas World Speedway, but still lost Rookie of the Year honors to David Lee Bibson.
- Won the AERS title in 2010.
Random Notes:
-Has a somewhat strong southern accent.
-A strong advocate for natural remedies. These convictions eventually motivated him to join the NaturalCures.com team.
-Spent much of his adolescence helping his father, who worked as an alternative medical practicioner, manage his practice.

Herb Cilantro's Post-Race Interview from the Ford 200 at Boston (HIGHLIGHT TO SEE)

Q: Herb Cilantro, you've just earned your first AARO victory of the season only three races in. Does this establish your team as title contenders yet?

A: I don't know, to be honest with ya...these cars are so equal week in and week out that it's hard to be consistent. Look at how I did in Salem and that should speak for itself. (laughs) We are up in the top 10, though, and I don't think it'd be unreasonable to say that we've got a shot at being there at the end of the year too.

Q: When did you realize that you were a legitimate contender to win this race?

A: I'd say around 30, 20 laps to go. I knew after the eighth yellow it was gonna be me, Scransen and Bandsma fighting it out...well, and that Mertz kid. He's an amazing driver, and his stats show it in Castrol Cup and here too. I'm lookin' forward to hopefully racing him for the win again. Hopefully with the same result, too. (laughs) But anyhow, those lapped cars kinda helped me. I knew once Bandsma and I got by Scransen the lead was all mine. I just never expected that there wasn't gonna be someone to take it back. So here I am in victory lane...I gotta thank Chevy for this awesome car, NaturalCures.com and Cobra Starship for paying the bills, and 426 Motorsports for just...giving me this opportunity to do what I love.

Q: While you've just racked up this win and are now 2nd in points, your teammate Jennifer Smith continues to struggle in the top AARO division. Do you think it's a product of 426 Motorsports putting more effort into your #42 operation than hers?

A: As she might say it...(thinks)...don't take them results at their value in a...critical league. Like I said, the cars here are so equal that it's really hard to make predictions. She's a rookie, it's early in the season...just let it progress and I'm sure she'll get better. Besides, it's basically just been bad luck that's taken her out. And as for the effort thing, believe me, I've talked to Vinny and he specifically told me he's making sure the guys at the shop put just as much elbow grease into that 06 car as they do into mine.

Q: OK, Herb, that's all the time we have, so I'll just let you soak in your victory. Thanks for your time.

A: You're welcome.

Jen Smith's Post-Race Interview from the Lucas Oil 250 at Grand Detour Raceway (HIGHLIGHT TO SEE)

Q: Every driver dreams of winning their very first race, but when that victory comes at a track as tough as Grand Detour Raceway, it's surely even more hard-won. jen Smith, can you take us throguh those last few laps?

A: Well...when I got to Scransen's bumper with around 4 to go, my heart was racing and needless to say, my cockpit was heating up. My eyes were glazing when I was trying to get around him. Once I did I knew I held the key to victory in my hand, and the reflection in the rearview mirror was my best friend. So I made it to the finish, thank God, and here I am, dancing with the stars and living in the sky with a diamond trophy.

Q: I'm pretty sure that trophy's made of metal, but anyway...Would you say your 7th-place qualifying position contributed to your incredible showing today?

A: Absolutely. Like I said before, This place is just a rat's race in a rat's nest. Everyone fought like a sailor, 'cause we knew in another lap we could all be going to hell. And most of us did. (laughs) But I took a stand and got to the top 10 in qualifying, so I didn't need to run from all the wrecks as much as the other guys.

Q: Did you have any sort of strategy going into this race?

A: Well, when I was just turning laps here for the first time, Herb [Cilantro] said, "Listen, girl, you better heed my advice. Treat this track like dirt, and it'll stick forever to the bottom of you racing shoe. You're a nice gal, but that just won't do. This place wants an aggressive girl in its victory lane."

Q: Is that really what he told you? Word-for-word?

A: No, in all seriousness he just told me I was laying off too much in practice and I needed to be more aggressive to win. I gotta thank him for that advice and this whole team in general for helping me get to AARO, and my family for supporting me through all this. Haha, support... Oh, and Gabe, Nate, Alex, Ryland, Vicky T, if you're watching this, thanks for putting Cobra Starship on the car. Couldn't have done it without you guys. (makes a hand sign and points it at the camera) FANGS UP COBRA STYLE!

Q: Well, thanks for your time, Jen.

A: No prob.