The Mudsummer Classic Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway Wednesday night was everything a race fan loves. It wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but it showcased the best racing action that NASCAR has to offer.
The event marked NASCAR’s first national series dirt race since 1970. It was filled with side-by-side racing, exciting passes and enough beating and banging to keep the sold-out crowd on their feet. Austin Dillon fought off Kyle Larson and Ryan Newman to win the inaugural race and become the first driver to win a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race on dirt.
In an attempt to make stock car racing more mainstream and to attract more fans, NASCAR often hides its past like a closely guarded family secret. Historic tracks are left behind in favor of newer venues. The exploits of bootleggers like Raymond Parks and moonshine runners like Junior Johnson are relegated to the shadows.
But NASCAR wasn’t always about corporate sponsors and media savvy drivers. It was built on the backs of blue collar drivers who raced for little more than bragging rights. In fact, the first NASCAR Strictly Stock Series (now Sprint Cup Series) race was held on a ¾ mile dirt track in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The race at Eldora was one of the most highly anticipated events of the current NASCAR season and will undoubtedly be one of the highlights at year’s end. Comments from fans on Twitter and Facebook were rich with superlatives such as “beyond awesome and fantastic” and the general consensus was, “I want more.”
Much like the decision to bring the NCWTS back to the legendary Rockingham Speedway in 2012, this nod to NASCAR’s beginnings should serve as a continued incentive to the powers that be. Change is inevitable, but NASCAR should never forget its roots. This back to basics stripped down version of racing is the heart and soul of a sport that many feel has lost its way.
Thanks to the vision of NASCAR executive Steve O’Donnell, track owner Tony Stewart and General Manager/Promoter Roger Slack for listening to the fans and honoring those traditions at Eldora Speedway. It was a night to remember.
A few times a year, I’m privileged to be able to go to a NASCAR race as part of the media. It’s a unique experience that allows me to be a small part of something that has an enormous impact on so many. What may surprise you is that it is often the little things that make it a special experience.
One of the most enjoyable aspects is the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. During several conversations with one of the women who helped prepare our food at the media center, she talked about being a lifelong NASCAR fan and proudly told me, “I’m a huge Dale Jr. fan but my Dad likes Kasey Kahne. Can you believe that?” The look on her face was priceless.
The young man who stood watch at the door to the media center told me how he begged a friend to switch assignments with him so that he could work the race at Darlington.
My favorite moment was shared with a photographer at Darlington Raceway who has been working the NASCAR circuit for over 30 years. I was surprised to hear he drove all the way from Canada to cover the Darlington race. He was accompanied by his daughter.
He began talking about how it was in the “old days’’ when drivers like David Pearson and Richard Petty would spend hours signing autographs for their fans. “I don’t know why,” he said “but they had such an appreciation for the fans, especially the kids. You don’t see that much anymore.”
But then he related a story about his daughter. She has been his constant companion since she was old enough to travel with him. “She grew up in NASCAR,” he told me.
When his daughter was a small girl, she had a Jeff Gordon Pepsi trading card and desperately wanted it autographed. When the opportunity arose, they approached Gordon who was surrounded by fans. It was beginning to rain but they were determined to wait. When Gordon saw the girl, he politely told the rest of the crowd; “children first.”
“Gordon took the card from her, placed it face down on his pants leg, covered it with his hand so it wouldn’t get wet, and told us to follow him to his hauler. He signed the card and spent several minutes talking with my daughter and me.”
The photographer’s eyes were glistening as he looked at me and said, “Signing autographs, that’s business. But this, (he pantomimed covering up the card on his leg), this was from the heart.”
You never know who you will meet at a NASCAR race. It could be a famous driver, a celebrity, or just the guy next door. But, one thing is certain; you’ll come home with some stories to tell.
Daytona Speedweeks heralds in the NASCAR season each year. It is generally a fun-filled couple of weeks leading up to one of the most anticipated races of the year, the Daytona 500.
This year the celebration came to a grinding halt after a violent crash in the Nationwide Series race. Kyle Larson’s car went airborne in a last lap wreck that involved 12 cars. His engine ended up in the catchfence. A wheel assembly, pieces of the car and debris, went flying into the grandstands, injuring more than 30 people.
The NASCAR community responded immediately with concern for those injured amid vows by NASCAR to determine how this happened.
But I soon noticed a disturbing trend.
Those who asked how this could happen were met with an almost frenzied response by many. ‘This is not NASCAR’s fault,’ they said.’ Read the back of your ticket,’ they shouted. ‘Racing is a dangerous sport and fans accept that fact every time they attend a race.’
Tony Stewart, who won the race, was somber in victory lane and offered a different perspective.
“We always know that this is a dangerous sport. We assume that risk but it’s hard when fans get caught up in it,” Stewart said. “My concern is for the fans right now.”
When it was learned that a few of the injured individuals had contacted an attorney to explore legal options, some reacted with a verbal attack. ‘They aren’t true fans,’ many proclaimed. ‘Real fans accept the risks.’
Suddenly, in their eyes, being a NASCAR fan meant that you must pledge your unwavering support. I disagree.
I’m a huge proponent of NASCAR and I believe that safety is one of their primary concerns. They are constantly striving to make it as safe as possible, both for the drivers and the fans. Sometimes that means asking the hard questions.
Race enthusiasts know that the sport has inherent risks. There is no way to prepare for all of the things that can go wrong. When you attend a race, you do so realizing that there is an element of danger. But you also attend an event with the expectation that NASCAR has done everything possible to keep you safe.
When something goes horribly wrong as it did in the Nationwide Series race, it is not only proper but necessary to ask questions. Why did the engine separate from the car? Are the cars going too fast? Did the catch fence perform as it was intended? Does the crossover gate need to be redesigned or eliminated? What can we do to make sure this type of accident never happens again?
NASCAR began asking these questions immediately and I feel certain they will not rest until they have the answers. As fans, you should encourage them to do so.
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president, met with the media Saturday, March 2nd, to give an update on their progress.
“As everybody knows,” he said, “safety is first and foremost not only for NASCAR and our racetracks, but getting that right and making sure our fans can enjoy the most safe and entertaining environment possible. I think our history speaks to that.”
“Moving forward,” he continued, “based on what happened in Daytona, we met immediately with the folks at Daytona International Speedway. We’ve had multiple meetings this week. It’s been a truly collaborative effort with the goal of doing two things: obviously looking at what happened in this incident, but more importantly the go-forward plan of what we can learn and what we want to implement as we go forward.
Asking questions does not mean that you are assigning blame. It means that as a reasonable individual you realize that it is almost impossible to foresee every possible contingency. That is why it is so important to examine this particular occurrence to learn from it and make the necessary adjustments.
Asking questions does not mean that you challenge NASCAR’s intentions or that you are any less of a fan. It simply means that you want NASCAR to be the best it can be. It’s reassuring to realize that NASCAR has the same goal.
Whenever I’m covering a NASCAR race or other event, I often record countless driver interviews. Some of them find their way into articles and some are set aside.
I recently ran across an audio recording that I made in November 2011 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame for a fan question and answer session. Winston Kelley, the Executive Director of the Hall of Fame, hosted the event.
Dale Jr. was in rare form. I distinctly remember thinking to myself that he was more relaxed and confident than I had seen him in quite some time. He didn’t seem like a driver fulfilling an obligation. It was more like a conversation among friends and as usual, he left his fans wanting more.
Winston Kelley: “In addition to your father, who were the guys you looked up the most to, that you admired or wanted to be like? Who were the guys that were Dale Earnhardt Jr’s heroes growing up?”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I always liked Jimmy Means a lot. He was a driver and now is a car owner in the sport. His son was a friend of mine so we palled around the racetrack together every weekend. So I spent some time around Jimmy and watched Jimmy do what he did. I just admired how hard he worked and how dedicated he was to what he was doing.
Cale Yarborough was a guy that I thought a lot of, how he carried himself around the racetrack and how he handled his business.
I thought David Pearson was pretty cool but I didn’t really know him enough or get to know him well enough as a driver. But watching old films and old footage, reading and stuff like that, he seems like an interesting character.”
Winston Kelley: “When you did the “Back in the Day” show, you seemed to really enjoy the history of the sport.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I do. I’m sort of mystified on how the cars have changed over the years and how much they’ve changed. It really is interesting to me to look back at some of the older machines and wonder as a driver how they drove and how they went around the track and what those cars felt like when you raced with them compared to what we have today.
I wish that if I could go back in time I could race in the 70’s with the old Chargers and old Oldsmobiles and stuff like that. It would be a lot of fun to be a part of.
I think the sport was different then and simpler in a lot of ways but I definitely enjoy the history a lot.”
Fan: “Are you superstitious?”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I’m not really that superstitious. I believe in the typical things that your parents or your family teaches you when you’re growing up like breaking mirrors or stuff like that but nothing else.”
Winston Kelley: “Green used to be a really big deal. Was that something your Dad was superstitious about? You’re driving a green car now. It kind of started to go away with the Mountain Dew car.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I don’t think Dad was that superstitious but I’ve heard through my grandmother that Ralph Earnhardt was pretty superstitious about the color green and peanuts and stuff like that. They say in racing you’re not supposed to eat peanuts around the race cars. I don’t know why. Apparently at Concord Motor Speedway one night he chased some fellow off with a gun for eating peanuts around his racecar.”
Fan: “Whenever you’re racing, do you ever feel your father watching over you?”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I think so. I think you carry that with you all the time with everything you do. If I need to make a decision I’ll bank on what he taught me or what we talked about or if we ever discussed it before and try to make the right decision with his help. And I do feel like his spirit rides with me and keeps me safe.”
During the Classic 3 Champion race weekend at Rockingham Speedway, I was able to spend a few minutes speaking with Danny “Chocolate” Myers, legendary gas man for Dale Earnhardt. Myers was there to wave the green flag and give the command to start engines for the inaugural running of the three championship races.
I asked him to share some of his favorite memories of “The Rock.”
Myers talked about winning championships under the old points system and why he thinks today’s Chase format is better.
“A lot of people want to talk about the Chase and how it used to be. I absolutely love it the way it used to be but what we got going today, I think, is better than it ever was.” He continued, saying, “I’ll give you a great example.”
“We came down to this racetrack. I think we had Rockingham, then Atlanta, and maybe somewhere else, I can’t remember exactly. But when they dropped the green flag here, the Winston people put the banner up and we were the champions.”
“So the next two races were just races, the championship had already been decided.”
Rockingham Speedway is home to a lifetime of cherished memories for Myers.
“This is a place where I’ve been coming all of my life,” he recalled fondly. “ It’s not that far from home. Before I worked for Richard Childress Racing, I came to Rockingham to watch qualifying and watch racing. It’s just a special place and it always has been.”
“It means a lot to be able to come down here, participate and be a part of it today.”
“To come here and win a championship at this place plus we won four pit crew championships in a row right here; that’s pretty daggum special. We’re the only ones that have been able to do that. This is a special place.”
Myers also praised owner Andy Hillenburg for his efforts in bringing NASCAR racing back to Rockingham Speedway.
“This place is a wonderful and a beautiful track. It hasn’t always been like this. When we used to race down here before the garage was built, we’ve been snowed out and rained out; it was absolutely unbelievable. What Andy has been able to do with it now, to keep it up, is a job itself.”
NASCAR Racing will return to Rockingham Speedway April 14, 2013, with the Camping World Truck Series event. Please visit the website http://rockinghamspeedway.com/ for more information.
“He loves anything to do with racing,” his mother, Sue, told me. “He’ll spend hours racing his toys and playing out different scenarios. The only video games he’ll play are racing ones.”
Ricky also loves “Sponge Bob,’ watching cartoons and animals.
“He’s just a precocious, fun-loving kid,” Sue says. “He wakes up in the morning happy and even with all he’s been through; he’s kept his zest for life.”
In April of 2011, Ricky began complaining that his leg hurt and would often sit and cry because of the pain.
They were eventually referred to an orthopedist for tests. After seeing the results, he set up an appointment for them at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. The family met with Dr. Walter Virkus, an orthopedic trauma and oncology surgeon.
He performed a bone biopsy and Ricky was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in December. It’s a malignant cancer that usually affects children and adolescents. The cancer had metastasized to the liver and an aggressive treatment plan was formed.
The regimen began with six cycles of chemotherapy administered over 18 weeks. In March of 2012, Ricky underwent liver resection surgery.
His Mom spoke of how the treatment took its toll on the young boy.
“He was hospitalized about every 10 days for either a fever or from the chemo from January 4th – May 5th,” she said.
The hardest part was yet to come.
The chemotherapy had shrunk the cancer but because his entire right femur was involved, the femur would have to be removed to save Ricky’s life.
Ricky’s parents were presented with two options; a full amputation at the hip or a lesser known procedure called a rotationplasty which would allow the surgeon to reconnect the tibia (lower part of the leg) to the hip bone.
Sue explains their decision to go with a version of the rotationplasty surgery as “three weeks of discussion, research, tears, and questions.”
Before Sue and her husband Dave delivered the news to their son, they took him on a family vacation.
“We chose to go to Florida and see Winter, the star of the movie ‘Dolphin Tale,’ at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.”
His parents contacted the aquarium ahead of time and arranged a special visit. They hoped that the meeting would help when it came time to explain the upcoming surgery to their son.
Winter is not your typical dolphin. She was rescued after being caught in a crab trap line and was sent to the aquarium to begin her recovery. As a result of the accident, Winter lost her entire tail and two vertebrae.
Few dolphins survive such an experience but Winter beat the odds. Her resilience inspired her rescuers to come up with a procedure to fit her with a prosthetic tail. The rehabilitation process is ongoing but Winter had adapted amazingly well to the device.
The people at the aquarium were “phenomenal”, according to Sue. They allowed Ricky and his parents to meet with the trainer and get a firsthand look as he attached the prosthetic tail to the dolphin.
At this time, Ricky did not know about his surgery but his parents soon discovered that the trip had made a lasting impression on Ricky.
When the family arrived back home, Sue and Dave sat down with Ricky to talk about the upcoming operation. They had also picked up a book about the dolphin, Winter, to help them break the news.
Sue describes the heartbreaking conversation, saying “We tried to explain to our precious little boy that he was going to have surgery to have the sickness removed from his body. We told him he would be like Winter and would have to learn to wear a fake leg just like Winter.”
They weren’t sure if he truly understood what was going to happen until they went to meet with the surgeon.
The surgeon told Ricky that he wanted to talk to him about his surgery. But to everyone’s surprise, Ricky interrupted the surgeon and began telling him what was going to happen.
“He showed the surgeon the book about Winter,” Sue said, “and went to a page in the book where it showed a picture of an amputee with the dolphin.”
Ricky had the surgery on May 21, 2012 and the procedure went smoothly. His recovery was difficult because he was in a cast from the middle of his chest to his knees. This left him immobilized for about six weeks and finding ways to entertain their son proved challenging.
His parents improvised by setting up makeshift race tracks on his bed but it just wasn’t the same. Ricky found a new outlet in video games.
In late July Ricky began getting fitted for his prosthetic leg and going to physical therapy at Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago, Illinois to learn how to use the prosthetic leg.
Word soon spread about this courageous young boy who loves racing and the NASCAR community responded. He has received cards, pictures and autographs from people all around the country.
“We have been so incredibly overwhelmed by everyone’s support and it never ceases to amazes us,” Sue said.
To learn more about Ricky please visit his “Team Ricky” Facebook page at the link below.
Special thanks to Don Betke, Chrissy Pistone, Santus Gore, Gerry Wright, Shelley Cochran, James Cochran and LJ Cochran for their efforts in bringing Ricky’s story to the attention of the NASCAR community. There are so many others who have selflessly come forward to support Ricky and his family in countless ways. It’s impossible to list each person by name but your spirit of giving is truly appreciated.
Ward Burton has always had a special relationship with “The Rock.” His first win in the Cup Series was in 1995 at Rockingham Speedway. He has a total of nine top ten finishes at the track in the Cup Series and also scored his first Nationwide Series win there in 1992. At the time, his wife was pregnant with their son, Jeb.
Burton retired in 2007 but this past weekend, Ward was back with his son Jeb at the historic track. Jeb made his second Camping World Truck Series start Sunday at the speedway. During the race he fought his way back from a 27th starting position to score an eleventh place finish.
I talked with Ward and Jeb Burton Saturday morning to gain some insight into how the two worked together as a team. It was obvious from the start that Jeb respects his father’s driving expertise. He even watched some tapes of his Dad racing at Rockingham Speedway in preparation for his race at the track.
Jeb admits that most of the time he feels like “the best way to learn is just to do it myself.” But he’s also smart enough to take advantage of his Dad’s experience. “When I was running late models and my car wasn’t where it needed to be, I would put Dad in it to see what he thought. He would get it running right and make me look good.”
Ward is heavily involved in his son’s career and often also gives him advice during the race. Sometimes the two agree and sometimes Jeb’s crew chief Trip Bruce has to act as mediator.
“When we’re running good everything is fine,” Jeb says.
However, when they are having a bad day, his Dad can get a little intense. Jeb is quick to point out that “it’s only because he wants me to run well.”
Jeb is scheduled to run the next three races in the Camping World Truck Series. The goal is to run as many races as he can but for now, sponsorship is limited.
When I asked what he felt he needed to improve upon, the answer was simple. “I need more seat time. I need to be in a racecar every week.”
He also feels that it’s important to test, especially on the larger tracks where he has no experience. Another important factor is “understanding the vehicle and working with the crew chief. If you can get that chemistry right, it makes everything easier.”
As we ended the interview so Jeb could get ready for practice, I asked him what he would consider a good finish at the conclusion of this race. He quickly said “a top 12.” After the race ended Sunday afternoon, I congratulated Jeb on meeting his goal. But like a true racer, he wasn’t satisfied with his finish, believing he could have done more.
Jeb is currently scheduled to run the next three races in the Camping World Truck Series. While he works on getting more sponsorship, Jeb will continue to run late models.
Now it was time to hear the other side of the story as I sat down with Jeb’s dad, Ward Burton.
I asked Ward if he had encouraged or discouraged his son when it came to racing.
“I didn’t really do either,” he told me. “He came to me about wanting to start racing motorcycles. I had given him go-karts and all that when he was a lot younger but he pretty much made the decision that it was something he wanted to do. He got into motorcycles real quick, went to go-karts and pretty much progressed from there.”
The biggest challenge for Ward is learning how to be on the sidelines.
“Oh, definitely I’ve had to learn all over again. You’ve got the danger factor and you’ve got the not in control factor. You’re trying to learn how to communicate. Instead of doing, it’s how to do. It’s quite different. Having a father and son relationship while it’s going on, like any father-son relationship, can certainly add some complications,” he said, laughing.
“I did it to my Dad; my Dad probably did it to his Dad,” Ward continued. “You know when your Mom or Dad says something to you, you don’t take it the same way as when somebody else says it to you even if it’s said the same or meant the same. Sometimes it’s hard to take something that is meant as constructive criticism, constructively.”
Communications can also be tricky when it’s a father on one side and a son on the receiving end of those communications. Ward tries to let the crew chief handle that side of things.
“I try my best but sometimes it’s not possible. That is definitely the best way. It took me a while to learn that and I’m still learning. At the same time, if I see something going on with anybody on the team including Jeb, I’m not going to sit back without trying to be helpful.”
Jeb’s career is a work in progress and something that Ward works on every day. He believes in his son and what they can accomplish together.
“I’ve been working vigorously, along with others, to find opportunities for Jeb. He’s got a window in which I can possibly be productive and help him. That window is not forever. I can’t solely make it happen.”
His commitment is unwavering.
“I know that if I get the opportunity with a company I don’t feel like anybody can do a better job for that company on and off the track than Jeb and I can. I honestly believe that. But I have to have the doors open to prove it to them.”
“We certainly appreciate State Water Heaters and they’ve gotten us to this point. They’ll be an associate for the rest of the year. But I want to be racing with Jeb after Dover.”
Ward and Jeb Burton make a formidable team and are determined to add another chapter to the Burton legacy in NASCAR.
Wednesday afternoon I headed out to Rockingham Speedway to meet with track President, Andy Hillenburg. I wanted to find out a little more about the man who made it his mission to bring NASCAR racing back to Rockingham Speedway.
I arrived for my appointment a little early and sat in my car for a few minutes before going inside. As I sat waiting, I noticed someone out front trimming the hedges while another man stood nearby checking periodically to make sure everything looked just right. I suddenly realized that the other man was Andy Hillenburg. This was my first clue about the type of man I was about to interview.
He calls himself a ‘blue collar man’ and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make one of his dreams come true. If something needs to be painted, you’ll likely find him with a paint brush in hand. He’s quick to point out that the track doesn’t have a huge budget so he often has to get creative in order to get things accomplished.
One of his latest endeavors is a car he calls the “Rockmobile.” It’s a 1975 Dodge Coronet with a paint scheme designed to resemble a police car. On one side it reads, “To Serve and Promote,” and the phone number for ticket sales is prominently displayed. It’s a rolling advertisement that Hillenburg often drives around town.
Another thing that stood out as we talked is his passion for racing. It’s a passion he has carried with him his entire life.
Hillenburg was born and raised in Indianapolis, Ind. He worked in the family construction business but every spare moment was spent going to races.
“I’ve wanted to race for as long as I can remember,” he told me. “I never really wanted to do anything else.”
He built his first race car when he was 16 years old and began racing sprint cars. Over the next 10 years, he raced in open wheel cars whenever he had a chance. He competed in the USAC (United States Auto Club) series, the World of Outlaws series and anything else that was available. It didn’t really matter to him, as long as he was racing.
His goal was to one day race in the Indy 500.
He came close a couple of times. The first time he was actually entered to run but the team abruptly folded just prior to the race. The following year he thought he had a deal put together but a couple of weeks before the race, he realized it wasn’t going to happen.
He was becoming increasingly frustrated when a good friend suggested that he move to North Carolina and try his hand at stock car racing.
“I hadn’t really given it much thought,” he said. “In Indianapolis, there’s so much racing. It’s everywhere you go. You just drive two miles down the road and there’s another race shop. I didn’t think any place could match that. I was perfectly content to stay in Indianapolis.”
But then his friend took him to a Busch (now Nationwide Series) race in Hickory, N.C. in the spring of 1990.
Hillenburg was so impressed that he made a drastic decision. With only a duffle bag full of clothes, his helmet, and a hundred dollars he borrowed from another friend, he got in his truck and drove to Charlotte, N.C. Hillenburg spent the first four nights sleeping in that truck across from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Then he ran into Kenny Schrader. He’d raced against Schrader so they knew each other slightly, but they weren’t what you’d call good friends. They stood around talking for a while and Schrader asked Hillenburg what he was doing in town.
“I moved here,” Hillenburg told him.
Schrader said, “That’s great. Do you have a deal?” “No,” Hillenburg replied.
Schrader then asked, “Where are you living?” “Right there in my truck,” Hillenburg responded.
At this point, Schrader began laughing. But he ended up taking Hillenburg out to his shop and gave him a place to stay for about 6 months.
During the day, Hillenburg visited all the race shops, looking for any kind of job just to get his foot in the door. In the evenings, he helped out at the shop by mowing the grass, taking out the trash, washing cars and anything else that needed doing.
He finally got a job at Fast Track High Performance Driving School. It wasn’t long before he was running the entire shop. The owner of the shop even fielded a couple of cars for Hillenburg to run two Cup races. It wasn’t much but it was enough to keep the dream alive.
About this time Hillenburg had the opportunity to buy the school. It was a decision that would require him to put his driving career on hold for 3 years. He found that he loved the driving school business and worked hard to make it a success.
But he hadn’t given up on his racing career.
He finally had a chance to run a full season in 1995 in the ARCA series. He made the most of it by winning the championship.
As he reflected on his life, he paused and said, “I’m a person that has a lot of dreams and I’ve been fortunate to accomplish several of them.”
Then he leaned in, as if to tell me a secret. “But not all of them; because I have lots.”
In the 1990s, most of Hillenburg’s time on the track was spent as a test driver. He test drove for over 20 Cup teams, Ford Motor Company and Dodge Engineering. He was also an IROC test driver for about 10 years.
He never really had the opportunity to race full time but he has no regrets and feels like he accomplished what he set out to do.
One of the highlights of his racing career came at Daytona Speedway in 1998. He had to qualify on time to enter the race and he remembers it as “the best race I ever drove in my life.”
Then, in 2000, at 37 years of age, he went to Indianapolis and competed in the Indy 500, accomplishing yet another lifelong dream.
Hillenburg has also tried his hand as a team owner, most recently in the Camping World Truck series and the ARCA series.
Did I mention that he has a lot of dreams?
In his spare time, he also works as a stuntman and acts in commercials and movies.
In the back of his mind, he knew that there was one piece missing to complete his business circle; owning a racetrack.
It would give his driving school a home base and would come in handy for the stunt work and acting gigs that he likes to do as well.
He had looked at a few tracks but nothing seemed like a good fit until Rockingham Speedway came up for auction in 2007.
One of his goals from the very beginning was to bring NASCAR racing back to the track but he’s a little surprised at how quickly it happened.
He’s also extremely proud of what he’s been able to accomplish and excited for the future. But he doesn’t take all the credit. It’s been a team effort from everyone at the track and the support of the community has been invaluable.
But there’s no doubt in my mind that without Andy Hillenburg, it would not have happened.
It is his blue collar work ethic, his willingness to take risks and his vision that have made it all possible.
Rockingham Speedway seats approximately 30,000 and ticket sales are progressing well. But Hillenburg says they aren’t going to stop until one of two things happens.
“We’re either sold out or we give the command to start your engines.”
My last question for him was this. Why should fans come to Rockingham?
“I feel like we’re unique. I want to be the facility that’s an old comfortable pair of shoes; a nice evening on the porch. We’re that race track. All those old memories that you can relive as well as build new ones, that’s what I’m after.”
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to “The Rock” on April 15th. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit online at rockinghamspeedway.com.
I was reading a NASCAR news story the other day and thinking to myself, ‘What ever happened to common sense?’ And then it occurred to me that the term common sense is an oxymoron.
Having the sense to do or say the right thing has become a characteristic that is rare in today’s society. NASCAR is a perfect example of this.
Common sense and truisms are closely linked so I thought I would share some of these truths as guidelines for the common sense impaired.
A closed mouth gathers no foot. This one is simple. Think before you speak (or tweet) and avoid those embarrassing headlines (Kasey Kahne-Breastgate).
Be careful who you step on while climbing the ladder of success; you’re liable to meet them on the way down. Kurt Busch
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Just ask Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman or Brad Keselowski-Secret fine recipients.
Expect the unexpected. Trevor Bayne wins the 2011 Daytona 500.
Good things come in small packages. Mark Martin
Hope springs eternal. Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans
Money talks. “It doesn’t matter if you have the most wins, pole positions, a championship or talent. If you have the money, you get a job.” Mike Skinner
Keep your hands to yourself. “Hold my watch.” Richard Childress
Nobody loves a winner who wins all the time. – Jimmie Johnson
Close, but no cigar. Carl Edwards
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. – Tony Stewart
If in doubt, remember this. There is nothing so small it can’t be blown out of proportion.
Mike Skinner quote courtesy of Angie Skinner-SiriusXM NASCAR Radio via Facebook
The 2011 season of NASCAR started out with a bang when rookie Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500. It ended with an electrifying duel between Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards for the championship. Sandwiched in between was one of the most competitive seasons in recent history.
In no particular order, these are a few of my favorite memories of the 2011 Sprint Cup season.
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1) “Are you kidding me?” Only one day after turning 20 and in only his second Cup start, Trevor Bayne won the coveted Daytona 500 race. He became the youngest driver to ever win NASCAR’s most prestigious race and he did it driving the No. 21 Ford for the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team.
2) Sports fans love an underdog and this year we had several drivers who defied the odds. Including Trevor Bayne, there were five first time winners this season.
a. Regan Smith scored his first victory at the Showtime Southern 500 at Darlington. The win was especially satisfying after suffering a heartbreaking defeat at Talladega in 2008. Although he crossed the finish line first, the win was overturned after it was determined that he had violated the rules by dropping below the yellow line.
But this time was different. As he captured the checkered flag at the famed track, he told his crew, “This is the Southern 500; we’re not supposed to win this thing!”
b. David Ragan was up next as he drove into victory lane at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in July. “No better place to do it than Daytona.” Ragan said. “I knew we could do it all along. I feel like I should have done this 100 years ago.”
c. Paul Menard also had his first win this season at a track that has special meaning for him. After the race, his father, John Menard, said, “Paul’s been coming here since we carried him in at three years old. I remember sneaking him into the garage in an engine box because he was too young to be in here. All his life he wanted to race.”
As he drove across the finish line an emotional Menard said, “Dad, this one is for you.”
d. Marcos Ambrose is the fifth of the first time winners in 2011, claiming his first victory at Watkins Glen. Ambrose had come close to a win last season at Infineon Raceway but saw it slip away when he lost the lead after failing to maintain speed.
I’ve sacrificed so much to get here,” he said, “and to finally win here is a dream come true.”
3) Brad Keselowski proved the adage that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. A few days after breaking his ankle during a test session at Road Atlanta, he scored his second win of the season at Pocono.
But the story of what inspired him to persevere is what really makes this a special victory.
Keselowski’s cousin had recently lost a friend who was one of 30 Americans who died when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. After hearing of the tragedy, Keselowski vowed that he would not use a relief driver and would drive the entire race himself.
After winning the race he dedicated the victory to the troops in Afghanistan.
“I might not be feeling great, but those are the guys that are really making sacrifices,” Keselowski said. “Whenever I got in the car and felt like, man, this really hurts, it was good inspiration as to what it takes to ‘man up’ and make it happen.”
4) Jeff Gordon achieved another milestone in his career with his 85th Sprint Cup Series win at Atlanta. It broke a tie and he now stands alone in third place on the all-time wins list. He trails only Richard Petty (200 career wins) and David Pearson (105).
It’s difficult to compare drivers of different eras but there can be no doubt that Gordon is one of the best drivers that this sport has ever seen. And he’s not done yet.
5) The finale at Homestead achieved the impossible. It actually lived up to all the hype preceding the event. Everything fell into place for a fight to the finish. Stewart emerged victorious passing 118 cars along the way and captured his third Sprint Cup championship title.
“If this wasn’t one of the most exciting races to watch from a fan standpoint, you’ve got to go to a doctor immediately,” said Stewart. “I feel like I passed half the state of Florida. This is definitely one of the greatest races of my life.”
