When I was 17 I received some of the best advice I ever got. I had just moved back from North Carolina after a failed attempt at getting a foot in the door and was trying to keep the dream alive. I was working endless hours and trying to finish high school. But at 17 it’s hard to find the money to build a race car. One day my grandpa suggested that I take some time off from the sport and reevaluate my goals within it. At the time I didn’t listen, and honestly I was pissed off. Little did I know that years later it would all make sense.
My time away from the sport came while I was in the Marine Corps. When I came home I began to realize that maybe my place in the sport was not as a driver, but as a wrench. I helped my buddies at the stock car track on the weekend and started college. My love for open wheel was apparent and I was being drawn closer and closer. Then I got a shot at really embedding myself in it. Through Indiana Open Wheel of all things I met Greg Hardy. We became fast friends and he invited me to come help with the Champ Car driven by Shane Cockrum. Out of the relationship I got more opportunities to learn and spend time at the track. Then at the 2014 Jason Leffler Memorial I got a call to come help Ebby Bergfield as he fielded the Schuett Racing Midget for Dave Darland. It was the beginning of a fantastic relationship. I’ve been with Kyle and Jim for over a year now, working for the dream.
This brings me to my surprise announcement that I may or may not have mentioned on Facebook. It is with great pleasure that I can announce that as of December 14th I will be a full time employee of Schuett Racing Incorporated as the car chief. I can’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t wanted to race, and to be able to make a living doing so is a dream come true. There are so many people I need to thank and in due time I will.
So now I guess it would only be prudent to give some advice of my own. If you are reading this you probably love the sport as much as I do. Most of us dream of finding a way to make a living in the sport and I’m here to tell you it is possible. Work your ass off, don’t give up. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, talk to people. Every opportunity you will ever get will come from talking to people. And when you hit an impass don’t be afraid to step back and reassess the situation.
When I was 17 I never thought I’d make a living working on race cars, but now it becomes a reality. Thanks to a lot of hard work and some damn good advice from an old man. Thanks Grandpa
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