Sounded like last night was a snoozer in the feature just follow the leader but Hillard made it interesting. We've all been in those situations - you win some, you lose some. Kind of a tough call. $10,000 will make a lot of people do crazy things. You can just stay in line and ride it out watching $5,000 fall from the sky or press your luck (or the guy in front of you). In the end I think it's just race others how you want to be raced. I live by the theory if you rough people up on purpose, OK, because you will lose some but don't you dare whine when someone gives you the chrome horn. We all use the "Move it or lose it", "Win it or wear it" phrases but don't forget "paybacks are a b****!". Easy come, easy go.
At the end of the day, for the majority of people (spectators or racers) it's a hobby or entertainment. For some, they have a long-term involvement or passion for it. Others it's a way to make money and for a rare few (yes, very rare in fact) it's a business. Now many think it's their business (speaking of drivers) but they don't run it like one so it's more of a "source of income".
A lot of the smaller budgeted teams are the ones who probably use more business saavy than the "big dogs" because they know going in to each season we have $X to work with and that's it so make it work. But once they roll pretty well or get some backing, someone else starts cutting checks and then sometimes they lose sight of that mindset that got them there in the first place. It gets twisted in the swarm of success. Some guys still keep a close watch on that bottomline and know exactly how to manage things. Others let their costs totally spiral out of control just because they do see some money coming in. And yet others let their egos swell up with the "I'm damn good, look at the results so you should help" outlook. I think we all know which ones remain for the long haul, which ones endure for a bit and which are the quick to fall off the radar.
This is big money and I don't care how small your team is. If you consider a local racing team that may have 1 car, 1 engine, small enclosed trailer and pickup, spare parts and races at 2 tracks. Look at his budget - he easily has $75,000+ invested in equipment and general costs. These guys don't have big tire or fuel deals so they buy stuff at the track for retail. Same with things like wheels, shocks, springs, MSDs, oil coolers, radiators, motor oil, you name it. Cha-ching.
Regional teams usually have a bit more product support (maybe a little discount or something) for winning a track championship or stuff of that nature but may have two cars and more parts, a little more tied up in the engines and upgrading their equipment (you know like the $3000 headers and stuff). They also travel to a few more tracks so there goes that cost of fuel. These are the guys that usually make it or break it. Many have promise and loads of talent and they are on that real fine line of making money or spending a bit too much. Some make their own opportunities but putting all on the table and rolling the dice and succeed and others call it off and go back to racing so it is fun. When it becomes a business, you lose some of that fun. True, it's still your passion so no complaints but there is stress.
Once people view you as a heavy hitter because they see a newer truck and trailer, multiple cars, certain names on the side of the cars, they think it's just cash money. Sorry to disappoint! Most of these guys drive for someone and don't own their own stuff but that's a whole different situation. Some have car owners who just cover costs of initial investments and help because of a passion for the sport or longterm involvement, others take small percentages for equipment needs or some situations have where the drivers take a percentage. Then there are the rare breeds now days - drivers who own their own teams. If you ever read any of my press releases or fluff carefully, I do not generalize full-time racing teams or even touring teams as "professional" racers. Harsh, I know. I'm sure some people right now are wanting to bust my chops for this but whatever, it's my opinion - that's all. I guard that word carefully so it still has meaning to me. There are a whole hell of a lot of successful drivers with a lot of talent or teams that do very well with national and regional tours!!! Don't mistake that. Would I say most are "professional" operations? Hm... no. Sad part is, I like a lot of these guys but just keeping it real.
When I think professional I think running it like it is a business. Budgets, image, maximizing the most return for the least investment and keeping an eye on one thing --- the bottom line. Bottom line = winning races and making money. Not handouts, not donations, not luck or even being the most popular guy there but wise business decisions. I will give props to a few various people for doing this (again, this isn't personal, this is just honest opinion).
Scott Bloomquist. He's probably the one name that jumps out as the racer who's the best businessman. His racing record speaks for itself, he has accumulated equipment, created a very marketable image and uses it to its fullest extent for business (advertising & apparel), uses that image cohesively (cars, branding, merchandising, etc. all tie together). He has acquired enough so that when he does scale back, as he is already just focusing on the big money races, he has other means of income in building race cars and selling the "Scott Bloomquist" he's worked so hard to create for other things such as mentoring, chassis, schools, whatever he may wish to do.
Billy Moyer. Very much like Bloomquist. He has his own shop, conducted successful seminars and has something to show at the end of his career. I would give Bloomquist the one up advantage on trying to create an elite stable of drivers and teams with this Bloomquist chassis stuff but both of these guys reinvested a lot of the money they earned.
Earl Pearson, Jr. I don't know Earl personally but have talked to various people on this team (even following a rude run-in at Lowe's a few years back that kind of left me a little salty) but I have to call it for what it is and say props to this team. They are one of the ones that do a fine job representing them. Many people think "oh we need more corporate sponsors". Let me tell you from experience, most race teams are not ready to handle one of those! It is a lot of work, small details, followup and presentation to cater to them. The #1 team does a great job for Lucas Oil though - their equipment is also very clean, you always see Earl and team members in Lucas Oil apparel, professional appearance in Victory Lane, information available on the products, etc. Brady Smith and the Amsoil team also deserves a mention.
Nine Honorable Mentions: These guys may have a bit different formula since it's not all business in the sense of budgets are a little different but in my eyes they bring something special to the table worthy of notice. Now this is my list and I'm not sharing every single person I like (since some of my favorites aren't even mentioned!) but we're talking serious merit here. Feel free to add in your own but just give a valid reason and not "he races with little money" since most of these guys will feel that's the case considering their operating costs and net income.
Darrell Lanigan - probably the cleanest guy I've ever come across. His stuff is immaculate and I think anyone would be proud to be associated with his operation.
Shannon Babb - he's a bottom-line racer more than people know. Babb and Bill Moyer have created a very successful team and race very wisely. Considering the investment and the return on it - they do something right.
Bill Frye - quiet, understated and pretty uncomplicated. Frye is one of the nicest guys you will find... off of the track. Helmet on and he's there to make shows, not friends. Bill eased off of the national tours to follow regional series (including the MARS series which he boasts 3 championship titles in just as Terry Phillips does) to be more involved with his family but has remained very successful. He's actually one of those few "professionals". He races very smart and has great sponsors and product support behind him. Also, he has great fabricating skills so it's a successful business for him off of the track and even comes in handy that he built his own hauler.
Steve Francis - very solid with the Mopar deal and another one who does a great job for a corporate sponsor.
Dale McDowell - after years with Larry Shaw, Dale is now back at the helm of his own team. He's not the corporate-backed team but has strong support from very loyal sponsors. Besides the fact that he's one of the friendliest guys out there, his driving school has really flourished. So, like Bloomquist, he's another one that's found away to use his successes on the track to turn in other sources of income.
Eric Jacobson - like Francis, very good with the corporate image, and like Lanigan makes large sacrifices in keeping up appearances.
Dennis Erb, Jr. - smart racer. He wisely picks the most efficient races for his money and definitely is in the green thanks to conscious business decisions with scheduling and great runs that afford some very generous product support.
Rick Eckert - while Rick drives for Raye Vest and it's not a "corporate" deal, they are one of the teams that shows small business is sometimes good business. A handshake still means a lot with these guys. They are not as glossed up as the corporate ones but they don't have to be - they still present a first-class image, are very personable and get the job done on the track.
Darren Miller - The Thriller is a lot like guys like my boy Shirl. People think he races on a lot more than he does. These guys don't have open bank accounts that someone just keeps making phantom deposits in. They work their butts off to get some sponsorship support, try to get things done on the track and network off to get product support to help keep driving those costs down and invest a lot on their own. Darren has done extremely well and has the potential to whip on the best of the full-time travelers but he does pick and choose wisely. You have to. These guys would love to go out there and represent for their current (and potential) sponsors at all of these big races and great tracks but if you can race for $5,000 closer to home, you have to use your brain.
Thanks again for the e-mails, comments and ideas for other topics - please keep 'em coming, they are appreciated, even the sometimes not so nice ones. :) Time to roll to the drags... enjoy the races!
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Hi Michelle
I just found your blog Fri. after being at Macon Thur. I realy like your updates and I wanted to thank you. I have tried to found daily updates through Who Won and even the UMP web site and they stink. I am unabel to go to all the summernationals because I have a buisness to run myself. I am planning on being in Pevley next Sat. Agin thanks for a job well done and hope you can stay healthe keep up the great work. Terry Charleston IL.
Michelle,
Thanks for the accurate description of Darren's race team and operation. We do the best we can to balance operating expenses, event prestige, payouts, travel expenses, and of course our fans when we work up a schedule. If you throw in weather, sometimes it's a day to day challenge.
Deals like last night at Farmer City are real gut checks. The loss of $10,000 along with equipment damage, and our bruised morale will test us all. But in the end we haul our stuff home, clean it up, put it back together, and then head out to do it again. We'll do it about 90 times this year.
I've enjoyed reading your daily reports, and thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Craig
Hey Terry, thanks for the message. Things are a little hectic this weekend because of drag racing but I will get back on the mark soon. If you are at I-55 and in the pits, please pop by and say hi! I'm usually between the 18/3s trailer.
And Craig, you know I think highly of Darren and know how things are for us all behind the window dressing people see. Our heartbreak has been plentiful but stopping the "99 Special" was a gut wrencher. All we can do is shake it off, get back on the horse and ride again with new determination. Best of luck!