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They say that you're never too old to learn. We'll I'm getting to be an "Old Dog", having just turned 48 this past weekend. I'd figured I'd give myself a birthday present and race at NSS Saturday night with the 07 Sportsman. Boy, did I learn plenty...
I learned that the Management at NSS doesn't look at us as Racers, they look at us as Family. I was deeply moved at the emotion expressed by Kim Brown when she spoke in the Driver's Meeting about losing young Zack Donatti. When I spoke to her later she said that she cares about all of us Racers that way. I don't doubt that for a second. I was also impressed that NSS was bound and determined to get the race in Saturday for the sole purpose of honoring the life and mourning the passing of Zack. Kim told us that Robert Hart (away in California) demanded to the staff at NSS that every effort be made to get the race in. When cancelling would have been the easy way out (and very understandable because of the relentless rain) NSS waited it out, dried the track and after a near 3 hr rain delay, got the show in. I towed 3 hrs to get there and boy did I appreciate that.
I learned that NSS fans are about the hardiest race fans I have seen anywhere. Nobody left during that long delay. Heck, many of them popped open their umbrellas and never left the stands! Many Dads took advantage of the free admission for Father's Day and passed the time enjoying SUDS at the bar behind the grandstand while wating out the rain. If there's anything that Dads enjoy, I'm sure racing, beer, good food and BSing are high on the list. Plenty of opportunity for all four existed in abundance at NSS Saturday.
I learned a name on Saturday that we all may be hearing a lot of when we watch racing on TV in the future. That name is Will Carroll. Will is a slender young man from Australia who currently is a development driver for Anthony Campi Racing. Will looks even younger than he is (19, I think?) but let me tell you, this young man can flat out wheel a race car. Will won last weeks Pro Late 50, but his run this week was more impressive, in my book. Will started tail end of the field and got his hood folded in two on one of those accordian-type of starts. He got a yellow a few laps in and the crew fixed the hood. That boy then started shotgun on the field and systematically and smoothly worked his way up to second in only 20 laps, without another yellow. A few more laps and he would have won easily. Even more impressive is that young Will drove Sprints on dirt "Down Under". This race at NSS was only his 6th ever start on asphalt in a stock car. He currently leads the Pro Late points at NSS. Look for Will piloting a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry next year. Catch him at NSS in a Pro Late this year, while you can...
I learned that although the crew from Anthony Campi Racing are a well funded and very professionally run organization (as exemplified by their meticulously maintained and incredible handling racecars), they are by no means snooty and we had a great time BSing with them and they even found time to offer us some advice and help. Mario, it was an honor and pleasure to meet you and your team. You guys are top notch. Also, IMHO, you have two of the best drivers in the state working your equipment.
I learned that Jarrett Korpi (112 E-Mod) wanted to race as bad, if not more, than anyone Saturday night. Jarrett was one of the first cars out on the track helping to dry it when the rain stopped. Thing was, Jarrett was the ONLY guy doing it on rain unfriendly race tires! It was easy to see why Jarrett wanted to race so bad. When racing resumed, he had a hot rod! Jarrett easily carved his way through the field in the E-Mod feature, taking the win. On another note, we helped dry the track by sending a crew guy out in his Chevy Metro. He did well until he looped it in 1, nearly schat himself, then pulled it in!
I learned that whatever Earl Beckner (71 SP) was DQ'ed for last week is not what makes him so dang fast. Earl smoked us all in the Sportsman feature then proceeded to pass a very thorough tech inspection. I know from personal experience that there is nothing as gratifying, after getting DQ'ed, than to come back the next week, win and pass tech. Vindication is sweet...
I learned that Daniel Conlin Jr. and his team are good at "making lemonade when life hands you lemons". A lot of us were dogsh*t loose on the green racetrack after the rain. Daniel so much that he looped it right in front of me coming off of 2. Well he pitted under his own yellow, tightened his car up and proceeded to work his way back up and passed me and Donny Williams to nab third on the last lap. Smart, smart move guys.
I learned that there must be some kind of magnet in mine and Donny Wiiliams cars. In both events I have run at NSS we are ALWAYS battling each other. And I wouldn't want it any other way. Donny is a class act on and off the racetrack and races like a gentleman. Donny has won a lion's share of Sportsman races over the years at NSS and if I can run near him we must be doing something right. Cheers, Donny!
I learned that on a rainy, regular event night at NSS that draws a small Sportsman field, the guys that DO show up are still very tough. Earl, Daniel, Donny, and Derrick Wood are all very good Sportsman drivers.
I learned that the 07 Sportsman doesn't like too much stagger at NSS and that it's not much fun driving a twitchy and loose racecar on a green, but very fast racetrack. Nuff said.
I learned that I am very fortunate to have the crew that helps me out and they are learning to work very well together. It is so nice to have to be just a driver on raceday. At times being the owner/driver/sponsor/mechanic of the 07 Sportsman can be overwhelming. Being able to just concentrate on driving on racedays lifts a heavy burden. It's quite a diverse group I have assembled. Two brothers from MI who used to work on Outlaw Late Models, a guy from Upstate NY who worked on DIRT Modifieds, and two "newbies" to short track racing. One from MO and one is a good ole native Cracker. Gotta love FL! Thanks guys for all you do for me. You make my life easier.
I learned (once again) that just about everyone involved in this sport locally (racer, track employees and fans alike) read this message board. Chad Pierce, Mario Campi, and (sorry I forgot your names, C.R.S. dontcha know) Chad's friend and the two guys running the parts truck all introduced themselves KNOWING who I was. Boy was I flattered. I should be the one honored to introduce myself to all you guys! Anyway, they all knew me from what I write on here. Everyone was complimentary, which was very nice. It was a pleasure to meet all of you. One guy called me "The Sportsman's Class Biggest Cheerleader" (which I've been called before) and I take that as a big compliment. I want nothing more than this class to succeed and if that's how I'm viewed, so be it. I just don't think I'd look good in a mini skirt with pom-poms. "Gimme an S, gimme a P..." (sorry for the visual...)
Finally, despite the "Chicken Littles" on this board that feel that Asphalt Short Track Racing in this state is in some sort of "Death Spiral", I learned, from my night at NSS, that nothing could be further from the truth. True, there are some tracks in trouble and others doing things half right. Then there are the tracks getting it right. NSS is one of those tracks. The facility itself is, no doubt, one of the finest in the country. But what makes this sport that uses machines sink or swim is the PEOPLE. And despite the grandeur that is the NSS facility, the people are what makes this place shine. Management, officials, Annoucer Dave, the tech staff and everyone else that greets you with a smile have their heads screwed on straight, have positive attitudes and have everything headed in the right direction. Think the sport is fading because all the old codgers like me are falling off and there's no "Young Blood" to take our place? Well, you haven't been to NSS lately then. There's Will Carroll, Daniel Conlin Jr., Derrick Wood, Zach Jarrell, Michael Lira, D.J.Farr, Garrett Hill, Chris Brannon and a whole other crop of fresh faces that I saw but didn't know their names that are poised to be the next generation of great racers that will carry the torch...and I don't think any of these lads are old enough to legally enjoy SUDS! We aren't going belly up anytime soon because we can't draw young'uns away from their video games and tuner cars. Those kids would never become stock car racers anyway. Racers are mostly RAISED. A love for this sport is almost always passed down from Father to Son and so on, and so on (like my Dad did with me, and my Dad was just a fan). So if your local track has a poor business model and is not up to snuff, don't assume the whole sport is doomed. NSS (and Desoto for that matter) have it going on and WILL survive. Look, we will likely never return to the "good old days" where we were sending cars home but in the words of Billy Joel "The good old days weren't always good and tomorrows not as bad as it seems". The tracks that evolve and roll with the changes will be fine and sadly the others will struggle and some will die. That's just how things roll in the business world. Thanks for reading this lengthy diatribe and thanks to EVERYONE who was at NSS on Saturday night. You are all part of what is right with this sport and showed that when things are at their worst, people like you show their best. Rest in Peace Zack Donatti and on behalf of the entire 07 crew, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Donatti family.
I learned that the Management at NSS doesn't look at us as Racers, they look at us as Family. I was deeply moved at the emotion expressed by Kim Brown when she spoke in the Driver's Meeting about losing young Zack Donatti. When I spoke to her later she said that she cares about all of us Racers that way. I don't doubt that for a second. I was also impressed that NSS was bound and determined to get the race in Saturday for the sole purpose of honoring the life and mourning the passing of Zack. Kim told us that Robert Hart (away in California) demanded to the staff at NSS that every effort be made to get the race in. When cancelling would have been the easy way out (and very understandable because of the relentless rain) NSS waited it out, dried the track and after a near 3 hr rain delay, got the show in. I towed 3 hrs to get there and boy did I appreciate that.
I learned that NSS fans are about the hardiest race fans I have seen anywhere. Nobody left during that long delay. Heck, many of them popped open their umbrellas and never left the stands! Many Dads took advantage of the free admission for Father's Day and passed the time enjoying SUDS at the bar behind the grandstand while wating out the rain. If there's anything that Dads enjoy, I'm sure racing, beer, good food and BSing are high on the list. Plenty of opportunity for all four existed in abundance at NSS Saturday.
I learned a name on Saturday that we all may be hearing a lot of when we watch racing on TV in the future. That name is Will Carroll. Will is a slender young man from Australia who currently is a development driver for Anthony Campi Racing. Will looks even younger than he is (19, I think?) but let me tell you, this young man can flat out wheel a race car. Will won last weeks Pro Late 50, but his run this week was more impressive, in my book. Will started tail end of the field and got his hood folded in two on one of those accordian-type of starts. He got a yellow a few laps in and the crew fixed the hood. That boy then started shotgun on the field and systematically and smoothly worked his way up to second in only 20 laps, without another yellow. A few more laps and he would have won easily. Even more impressive is that young Will drove Sprints on dirt "Down Under". This race at NSS was only his 6th ever start on asphalt in a stock car. He currently leads the Pro Late points at NSS. Look for Will piloting a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry next year. Catch him at NSS in a Pro Late this year, while you can...
I learned that although the crew from Anthony Campi Racing are a well funded and very professionally run organization (as exemplified by their meticulously maintained and incredible handling racecars), they are by no means snooty and we had a great time BSing with them and they even found time to offer us some advice and help. Mario, it was an honor and pleasure to meet you and your team. You guys are top notch. Also, IMHO, you have two of the best drivers in the state working your equipment.
I learned that Jarrett Korpi (112 E-Mod) wanted to race as bad, if not more, than anyone Saturday night. Jarrett was one of the first cars out on the track helping to dry it when the rain stopped. Thing was, Jarrett was the ONLY guy doing it on rain unfriendly race tires! It was easy to see why Jarrett wanted to race so bad. When racing resumed, he had a hot rod! Jarrett easily carved his way through the field in the E-Mod feature, taking the win. On another note, we helped dry the track by sending a crew guy out in his Chevy Metro. He did well until he looped it in 1, nearly schat himself, then pulled it in!
I learned that whatever Earl Beckner (71 SP) was DQ'ed for last week is not what makes him so dang fast. Earl smoked us all in the Sportsman feature then proceeded to pass a very thorough tech inspection. I know from personal experience that there is nothing as gratifying, after getting DQ'ed, than to come back the next week, win and pass tech. Vindication is sweet...
I learned that Daniel Conlin Jr. and his team are good at "making lemonade when life hands you lemons". A lot of us were dogsh*t loose on the green racetrack after the rain. Daniel so much that he looped it right in front of me coming off of 2. Well he pitted under his own yellow, tightened his car up and proceeded to work his way back up and passed me and Donny Williams to nab third on the last lap. Smart, smart move guys.
I learned that there must be some kind of magnet in mine and Donny Wiiliams cars. In both events I have run at NSS we are ALWAYS battling each other. And I wouldn't want it any other way. Donny is a class act on and off the racetrack and races like a gentleman. Donny has won a lion's share of Sportsman races over the years at NSS and if I can run near him we must be doing something right. Cheers, Donny!
I learned that on a rainy, regular event night at NSS that draws a small Sportsman field, the guys that DO show up are still very tough. Earl, Daniel, Donny, and Derrick Wood are all very good Sportsman drivers.
I learned that the 07 Sportsman doesn't like too much stagger at NSS and that it's not much fun driving a twitchy and loose racecar on a green, but very fast racetrack. Nuff said.
I learned that I am very fortunate to have the crew that helps me out and they are learning to work very well together. It is so nice to have to be just a driver on raceday. At times being the owner/driver/sponsor/mechanic of the 07 Sportsman can be overwhelming. Being able to just concentrate on driving on racedays lifts a heavy burden. It's quite a diverse group I have assembled. Two brothers from MI who used to work on Outlaw Late Models, a guy from Upstate NY who worked on DIRT Modifieds, and two "newbies" to short track racing. One from MO and one is a good ole native Cracker. Gotta love FL! Thanks guys for all you do for me. You make my life easier.
I learned (once again) that just about everyone involved in this sport locally (racer, track employees and fans alike) read this message board. Chad Pierce, Mario Campi, and (sorry I forgot your names, C.R.S. dontcha know) Chad's friend and the two guys running the parts truck all introduced themselves KNOWING who I was. Boy was I flattered. I should be the one honored to introduce myself to all you guys! Anyway, they all knew me from what I write on here. Everyone was complimentary, which was very nice. It was a pleasure to meet all of you. One guy called me "The Sportsman's Class Biggest Cheerleader" (which I've been called before) and I take that as a big compliment. I want nothing more than this class to succeed and if that's how I'm viewed, so be it. I just don't think I'd look good in a mini skirt with pom-poms. "Gimme an S, gimme a P..." (sorry for the visual...)
Finally, despite the "Chicken Littles" on this board that feel that Asphalt Short Track Racing in this state is in some sort of "Death Spiral", I learned, from my night at NSS, that nothing could be further from the truth. True, there are some tracks in trouble and others doing things half right. Then there are the tracks getting it right. NSS is one of those tracks. The facility itself is, no doubt, one of the finest in the country. But what makes this sport that uses machines sink or swim is the PEOPLE. And despite the grandeur that is the NSS facility, the people are what makes this place shine. Management, officials, Annoucer Dave, the tech staff and everyone else that greets you with a smile have their heads screwed on straight, have positive attitudes and have everything headed in the right direction. Think the sport is fading because all the old codgers like me are falling off and there's no "Young Blood" to take our place? Well, you haven't been to NSS lately then. There's Will Carroll, Daniel Conlin Jr., Derrick Wood, Zach Jarrell, Michael Lira, D.J.Farr, Garrett Hill, Chris Brannon and a whole other crop of fresh faces that I saw but didn't know their names that are poised to be the next generation of great racers that will carry the torch...and I don't think any of these lads are old enough to legally enjoy SUDS! We aren't going belly up anytime soon because we can't draw young'uns away from their video games and tuner cars. Those kids would never become stock car racers anyway. Racers are mostly RAISED. A love for this sport is almost always passed down from Father to Son and so on, and so on (like my Dad did with me, and my Dad was just a fan). So if your local track has a poor business model and is not up to snuff, don't assume the whole sport is doomed. NSS (and Desoto for that matter) have it going on and WILL survive. Look, we will likely never return to the "good old days" where we were sending cars home but in the words of Billy Joel "The good old days weren't always good and tomorrows not as bad as it seems". The tracks that evolve and roll with the changes will be fine and sadly the others will struggle and some will die. That's just how things roll in the business world. Thanks for reading this lengthy diatribe and thanks to EVERYONE who was at NSS on Saturday night. You are all part of what is right with this sport and showed that when things are at their worst, people like you show their best. Rest in Peace Zack Donatti and on behalf of the entire 07 crew, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Donatti family.
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