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closeDrivers from 23 states and Canada competing in Summer Shootout series at Charlotte
Friday, Jun. 27, 2008
CONCORD, N.C. (June 27, 2008) - They come by land and air, arriving in planes, trucks and automobiles. They're from small towns such as Snohomish, Wash., Bixby, Okla., Olive Branch, Miss., and St. George, Utah.
They range from 8-year-old youngsters to Social Security recipients and on Tuesday nights they fill the pit area at Lowe's Motor Speedway, each striving to achieve a common goal.
They are the more than 200 Legends Car, Bandolero and Thunder Car racers who, along with their families, journey from 23 states and Canada each week in order to compete in one of the nation's premier short-track racing series-the 15th annual Quaker Steak & Lube Summer Shootout.
There are countless motives that drive these racers to go the extra mile so they can participate in the 10-week series. For some, like Nick Carey who drove his truck across the country from Snohomish, Wash., it's the high level of competition.
"If you win in the Pro division at the Summer Shootout, you're the best there is in Legends Car racing," said the 19-year-old Carey.
For others, like Scott Nagel, it's the chance to race cars that don't compete regularly in their area. Nagel, a 12-year-old from Brampton, Ontario, makes the trip to Lowe's Motor Speedway each week to race in the Sprite Bandolero Young Guns division that features drivers ages 12 to 15.
"In Canada, we were thinking about running in a class called mini-stocks, but when we came down here for a trip we heard about the Bandolero cars," Nagel explained. "We thought there was no use running the mini-stocks when we could run the Bandoleros, which you can't race in Canada."
Most say the high cost of fuel and long trips are worth it if their performance in the Quaker Steak & Lube Summer Shootout helps them climb the racing ladder.
"A lot of people in racing aren't originally from Charlotte or Mooresville, but it seems like they are because all of the race teams are here," said Carey, who drove 44 hours and used 190 gallons of fuel on his cross-country trip to North Carolina where he will spend the summer with a friend. "If you want to be in the eyes of the big people in racing, you've got to be in North Carolina."
For many, travel expenses eventually begin to take a toll. Several drivers are supported by their families, while others have acquired sponsorship to help pay the bills.
"We leave the money side of it to our dad," said Kyle Weatherman, 10, of Wentzville, Mo., who along with brother Clayton Weatherman, 9, proudly display 180 Energy Drink logos on the hoods of their Bandoleros.
The Weatherman brothers fly from St. Louis to Charlotte each week along with other family members so they can race in the POWERade Bandolero Bandits division.
Nagel and his father fly back and forth from Ontario each week, spending over $1,200 on airline tickets, rental cars and other expenses.
"I love the feeling of the sport. It's just awesome to drive down the straightaway at Lowe's Motor Speedway," said Nagel. "It's definitely worth it."
The 10-race Quaker Steak & Lube Summer Shootout runs each Tuesday night through Aug. 12.
Admission is just $7 for adults. Children 6-12 are admitted for $3 and kids under 6 are free. Tickets are available in advance at the speedway ticket office and at Gates 4 and 5 the night of the event. Parking is free.
Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with preliminary action at 5:30 p.m. Feature racing begins at 7:30 p.m.
For information, visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.
