Pro Stock racer and Countdown finalist V. Gaines has no problem whatsoever if race fans want to consider his Kendall Dodge as a dark horse for the title.

Gaines, the highly successful businessman who escapes the business demands by racing Pro Stock, entered the championship phase as the eighth seeded driver.

“We look forward to the challenge and opportunity,” Gaines said. “We know we have an extremely fast car, and a great team, we just have to do the right things at the right times. Right now we’re hampered a little bit by not having our crew chief Clyde but hopefully he’ll be back next week. If we can just get by the next couple of weeks here, we’re going after that championship.”

Pro Stock racer and Countdown finalist V. Gaines has no problem whatsoever if race fans want to consider his Kendall Dodge as a dark horse for the title.

Gaines, the highly successful businessman who escapes the business demands by racing Pro Stock, entered the championship phase as the eighth seeded driver.

“We look forward to the challenge and opportunity,” Gaines said. “We know we have an extremely fast car, and a great team, we just have to do the right things at the right times. Right now we’re hampered a little bit by not having our crew chief Clyde but hopefully he’ll be back next week. If we can just get by the next couple of weeks here, we’re going after that championship.”

Gaines’ crew chief Clyde West has been fighting health issues for much of the season, and by the team owner’s admission, he’s a vital part of the team’s success.

This success has many of Gaines’ competition taking him more serious than ever. This season’s Phoenix victory has the competition seeing Gaines in a different light.

Gaines drove to victory on the strength of relentless starting line reactions.

“They are taking us a little more serious on the starting line than they used to,” Gaines said. “We’re running pretty good power so if they aren’t taking us serious we’re going to beat them.”

Gaines finished as a semi-finalist in Charlotte.