This is my personal take on the subject and anecdotal evidence does not create fact I know.
My BFF when I was a teen, was a racin’ man. He raced ON THE TRACK. When it came to cruisin’ on the street, he was much safer that the other yah hoos because of his Saturday night outlet.
The city kids with their fast cars that ‘played’ on the city streets were a very dangerous crowd, without the discipline achieved ON THE TRACK. (we had a good friend wreck and die squirreling around on the street)
Trust me, if you make a bone head move and push a geezer (seasoned veteran) into a wall or a spin, your happy butt WILL hear about it in the pits.
My son grew up around us racing . As soon as he was old enough to ‘not get too hurt’ he was out there wrenching right beside us.
As soon as he was tall enough, he was THE tire guy in the pits. Sometimes 3 or 4 different drivers would holler at him to help. Friday night and Race day were GREAT.
Changing engines (two hours before the race) Changing all four tires (mark that left rear one would you) Pull that ####, Charge my battery, Tighten this, Bend out that, Find me a piece of sheet metal (this size) Where’s that extra radiator hose Why is that still leaking?
(man I love those days)
Heck half the ‘grown men’ had him use the tire machine, cause he was quicker at it. By this time he knew as much about the cars as the owners/drivers.
But I digress.
I had no problem with him driving ON THE TRACK. (I think he was 14 the first time –he had to wait till he could reach, we wouldn’t change the set-up of the car from the primary driver) [practice]
He knew every risk, and had seen what the cars COULD do. We had seen a few fellows carted off to the hospital through the years.
He is 21 now and off to Fort Benning in 2 weeks.
Granted, what sparked this comment (it started out as a comment for one of the above blogs and grew to this) was the possible changing of the minimum age for CUP drivers. I don’t agree with the 21 rule.
Now if you were to tell me that Richie Rich was going to drop a bunch of bucks and buy a car and try to qualify the next day, it wouldn’t matter what age he was.(I assume the PTB would put a stop to it)
To sum up and try to achieve topic.
*When they learn it they earn it.
* NO ONE lets a STUPID Rookie on the track without testing their metal. The other driver WON’T let it happen.
*If they can’t drive it, they won’t stay.
*Track experience makes a street driver safer and more aware.
*This blog has very little to do with the blogs referenced above.
Again ---this persons opinion
Note: Still my BFF and still racing. (the blonde is the trophy girl)
Thank you Fox Funhouse for including me on your hot list today!
Steven Johnson (son of team owner, #### Johnson...who I think raced in NASCAR a couple times) didn't have his drivers license when he made his debut at Bathurst (you could get your learners at 16 and a half) if I remember rightly.
Thanks for sharing a parents perspective on a young man driving and/or working in the pits on a race car. Your summary points have merit, and explain why as a parent, you made a decision to help your child achieve one of their dreams...to be involved in racing.
Nice post yee We are a racing family here and I agree born and bread. Yet if its 18 for trucks and nation 21 aint bad for cup. I think they bring young tallent up to soon and kill any shot they have. They want a Jeff Gordon everytime the first year. Heck even Jeff beat up everything his first year. Maybe to soon. I like the idea of getting a year or to in the lesser series.
I understand the coming up in the ranks thing.
But even if you want to mandate a year in truck and a year in Nationwide(which I don't like) that is only two years.
But 3 years stuck is a bit long for some. Heck some have groomed for it for so many years already....
I use Joey L (it's late I don't wanna mess up the spelling) as an example ....one year OK I can buy that but .
If they're proven , let'em try
IMO
Last edited by YeeMum_ on January 24th at 1:18 AM.
Yee Mum,
Great scribble but I think 18 on a track is a recipe for disaster, what chance did Petty's kid have on a short track? None. He's dead as a brick because his parents and adults in his life didn't exercise the least amount of common sense. That's just my opinion and I enjoyed this scribble nevertheless...
YM-very enjoyable blog. You obviously talk the talk so well because you've experienced the addiction to racing. Like many, mine got so bad for awhile that I was skipping house payments to buy tires and get engines freshened up. How my wife put up with a husband and two sons spending so many thousands of dollars every year busting our budget to pursue our dreams is beyond me. Prayers and best wishes to your son.
YeeMum - Thanks for sharing your personal experiences and opinions. I agree with you, I think if they are good enough to consider Cup, they have tested their metal...
I still think the age limit is a convoluted way for NASCAR to fabricate a reason for the Nationwide Series, esp with a "star" in Joey...
Hi ya Yee I think I mentioned this on a previous blog of yours, but here in Montana you can get your learners permit at 14 1/2 so I think Nascar has dropped the ball on this one.
YM.....I agree with you that these drivers already may have 12 years (or more) of experience by the time they're 18. Very competitive experience at that.
It would be nice to think that the owner's won't put someone in their car before he's ready, but they're putting in some drivers over 21 who aren't (and never will be) ready. Money can still get you a ride.
Please tell your son I said many thanks for serving our country.
HR13~ I remember the earlier days. Making the choice to race that weekend and pay bill X next week.
Still I wouldn't trade it. I'll be wrenchin' on the 21 car as soon as the weather breaks.
I'll tell him.
klvalus~I figured it was time I actuall 'wrote' something. I am pleased to see as much agreement here as I am.
Tough break for Joey if it sticks.
montanadan (etal)~ Thanks for stopping by and commenting, glad you enjoyed it.
countryjag~I agree with you. I know a couple of 8 year old girls that can dirt track a go-kart better than I ever will.(and most of the grown men that are willing to try)
(yep braggin' again)-
An owner is more likely to say "Driver X isn't old enough, needs more experience"
But if the driver is over 21 (even way over) an owner is less likely to say "Driver Y can't drive"
The only thing I disagree with, is whether driving on the track makes you a better driver on the street. The racers I have known over the years were TERRIBLE on the street! LOL!! Talk about speeders...whooboy!
To be honest, I don't have a real problem with young drivers in stockcars on short tracks, but more so with open wheel, high horsepower cars on both asphalt and dirt.
God speed to your son and the job he has undertaken. We here at home salute him and his comrades.
Not all drivers , definantly.
My experience has been that yes, they do tend to speed (try doing 45mph after you've just been on the track)
But they are safer drivers. More respect for the machine and those around them.They don't need to go sideways on the street. They just did that on the track.
I feel wherever they are trained- they should be able to go.
My son will be proud and embarrassed with the comments for him.
Glad to see your son taking up the military as a career. Always a great place to to grow and learn.
Your story bears a great deal of merrit. I think your experience about racing certainly is right on. I enjoyed it.
The most important thing I learned driving early on tracks is how to better handle a car off the track. Deffinitely a life saver for me and some of my friends that I raced with.
Now that didn't mean I wasn't game for a stop light to stop light drag race is the incident was dropped in my lap. Did have enough sense not to do it all the time.
Thank you for the insight! Sound like you're having a good time, but I want to know who you're trying to kid... There's no way you're old enough to have a 21 year old kid! (Did I score some points there?) lol
A friend of mine in high school (Steve aka Steve-o) worked at the local filling station in our hometown and the owner had a dirt track stock car. Steve was always helping out at the track on Saturday nights and always buggin the owner to let him run in the mechanics race. The owner finally must of thought he was ready and told him he would allow it the next Saturday so of course he told all his friends and we all showed up to witness the event. It must have been about the third lap and Steve was in the thick of things when it all went south and he ended up going into a spin powering out of a turn and rolled the car up real nice! That was the last time Steve-o got to drive!
I knew I had picked you for crew chief for a reason. To show them young guns a thing or two before you would let them drive. Great post and I love to hear your Opinion ! Don't stop. You do look great with blonde hair.
Last edited by Forensic2 on January 24th at 1:47 PM.
Yeemum- Thanks for the mention. When I first got my license. The laws weren't as strict as they are now. Also you didn't have a gazzilion people driving. It takes alot more mature driver to drive nowadays. Especially out here in L.A. Not only the traffic. But also the peer pressure of friends telling friends that its okay to drive crazy.
After all us as parents did it. And Im sure that we shared some of our stories with our kids. As far as the 21 rule. Im still looking at the pros and cons. In some ways let the kids have their fun. Especially if they have proven that they can handle it. But when does a team owner pull the plug and say enough is enough when that same kid is crashing car after car. Instead the team owner say's, he just needs a few more races and he will be just fine.
Fevr3~Oh and the IDIOTS that feel they are INTITLED to own the road even if it means running you off of it? (been thru LA on two wheels and that was years ago)
Part of an owners responsibity is to pull the 'kid' out of the car if they don't have it yet.
photo~ you changed your face again. (too cold for surfing?)
As I suspected KW was both flattered and embarrassed with the kind comments about his pending future.
He has been doing drill weekends for about 6 months now, and seems to be adapting to the life. (except for his 5 new tattoos) I think he is a bit anxious.
I know that photo disagrees with me, but I still believe that chronological age has nothing to do with maturity and responsibility. Great post as always.
Avid NASCAR fan. .I am generally quite friendly, and I don't bite (much).
- I like comments, I bet you do too. So I will comment.
I am not here for a pat on the head, however, I would like a wee bit of a comment if you happen to read anything I write.
According to my sources I am the first person to get 2 Game Balls in the same week. Check out "Hatchetman's parade of sports" ..March 2008 accused of being Best "most congenial" blogger: by LisaH
GGW Racing crew chief #2
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