Auto Racing Blog - Today’s Young Drivers Need to Take Some Notes from Dick Trickle

The loss of Dick Trickle is allowing many people to share their good thoughts and memories of this Legend. He was a champion not only behind the wheel but amongst the fans as well.

When you hear the plethora of personal stories, you will notice one common thread, the stories sounded like they were out with a friend.

Dick was a true, genuine ambassador to auto racing overall, not just to short track racing. 

Yes, his name was unique and became the butt of some humor in the mainstream world.  Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann referenced him on ESPN Sportscenter every Sunday night when they would review the NASCAR results.  He was mentioned on an episode of “That 70’s Show” and even some correlate him to the Cole Trickle name in “Days of Thunder.”

But for me and many, many, and many others, Trickle became a friend.  I am going to miss visiting with him at many future short track events.

Since his time his death was announced, I started to think about what made him popular.  As I continued to arrange the thoughts in my head, one thing kept circulating, today’s young drivers need to look at what he did to not only make himself popular and cool but what he did to make short track racing popular and cool as well.

First, Trickle always took the humble approach whenever he was asked about his popularity and success.  He knew he was good and he didn’t have to boast about it. His actions spoke louder than his words. 

Second, the fans were always a #1 priority.  No matter if he won or got wrecked, he always made sure that the fans were able to visit with him, get his autograph or a photo with him.  Or for some lucky ladies, a Trickle kiss. 

There are many of us who can vouch that they either waited in line or witnessed Trickle hanging around after a race and sign autographs until the last person got one. He tried to not leave a fan to go home disappointed.  Even after he hung up his helmet, he never changed his attitude in that area. This is probably why the most successful short track driver in history rarely got booed when was introduced, but always got the loudest cheers.

Third, he made sure that every person he interacted with made them feel special. Whether it was a short conversation, standing next to him with a beer in hand or smoking a cigarette together, you had his attention.  He loved talking to people and making new friends.

Those three things helped build up the short track audience.  The fan interaction with the drivers is a big reason why fans came back weekly to the short tracks.

Trickle got it, understood it, and lived it.

Gregg McKarns said it best to me when him and I were talking about Trickle. Gregg’s father, the late John McKarns, told Gregg that Trickle would jump on board anything that would help short track racing overall.  It was never about him, but about the sport.

The young drivers and the current drivers at today’s short tracks should take a few moments before heading out this weekend and think about Dick Trickle and what he personally did for short track racing.  Think about his personality, the way he acted towards the fans, and his pure love for the sport.  Think about how these three things helped short track racing and at the same time made him a legend in this sport.

It wasn’t money and sponsorship that made him who he was.  It was his talent behind the wheel, his hard work in the shop, and the interaction with the fans that made him a legend.

His pure love of this sport made him a winner.  He earned the respect of his fellow competitors and the admiration of his fans. 

Damn…I am going to miss this guy.

AUTO RACING BLOG: START OF SOMETHING NEW

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter (@KevinRamsell), you have probably seen my announcement that I am leaving ASA Racing and joining the team at Speed51.com as of April 1.

The decision was tough and emotional, but for me personally it was the right one.

Over the last ten years, I gained experience working at short tracks like Madison International Speedway, Rockford Speedway and Dells Raceway Park.  I also gained experience working for touring series like the Midwest Tour and the Big 8 Series.  In 2009, Dennis Huth gave me the great opportunity to work for his sanctioning body ASA Racing.

My decision for the change is simple.  I feel like I am ready to turn the page and focus more on helping promote short track racing from a different side.  I am very eager to work with Bob Dillner, Matt Kentfield, Elgin Traylor and the others that are part of the Speed51.com team on the continued promotion they provide to our short tracks in America. 

I was asked to work with them at the 2012 Snowball Derby and during Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway.  I felt a comfort level, fun, and more.  I felt that what they do was more in my wheelhouse.  What I brought to them, fit right in to their overall goals.

The decision to leave ASA Racing was very tough.  ASA Racing is a good short track focused sanctioning body and I would encourage tracks to look at their program.  I feel they can be beneficial to you. Like any sanctioning body, they want to help and see this sport grow.  I feel like I did a lot to help the short tracks and series that are sanctioned with ASA and I wish them all the best. 

It was exciting to be a part of the first ever American style stock car race in South Africa, create the first smartphone app for a racing sanctioning body, help drivers get their names out to a national audience with different national magazines, newpapers and websites, and most of all…make new friends. Even though I am moving on, I still am eager to talk to you on the phone or share an email or text message.

One thing that keeps going through my mind is the word “Thrive.” It is the 2012-13 theme for DECA, the marketing/management association for high school and college students that I have been a part of for over 20 years.  One of the definitions is to “grow or develop well.”  Some synonyms include: prosper, flourish, succeed, and blossom.

I feel like this is the time for me to thrive.  It is time for me to do more on the side of sharing the great stories in short track racing, help provide enhanced live coverage for those at a race event where Speed 51 is doing Trackside Now coverage, visit more tracks and series, and more.

I am very blessed by the support I have received from my family and friends. Thank you all for that.

Thank you to Dennis Huth, Shannon Stenberg and others in ASA Racing for 3.5 years of being part of your team.  The list of things you have taught me would be a big book.

To my new team, there is a fire in my belly, a passion to do well and have fun. 

Let’s go out there and continue to help short track racing THRIVE together!!!

AUTO RACING BLOG:11 DAYS

I am sitting here reflecting back of what I did for the last two weeks.  After my friend’s death in 2005, I always say to myself, “The best is yet to come.”  The last two weeks is a great example of what that phrase means.

It started with a text message from Bob Dillner on Monday, February 11 asking if I would be interested to come to work with Speed51.com at the 47^th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.  Within a half hour of that text, I got the approval from Dennis Huth, my boss at ASA Racing. Then the flight was booked and plans were being made to take care of my cat and get me the airport on Wednesday.  

This is the second time I worked with many on the Speed51.com team.  I met most of them when I worked the Snowball Derby back in December. Bob & Angie Dillner, Elgin Traylor, and Matt Kentfield are the core of speed51.com and together they assembled a fun group of people who are passionate about short track racing and share the equal goal of providing positive and accurate coverage of a race event. 

Those others included: Adam Mackey, Matt Prieur, Tim Quiveryn, Ryan McCullough, Mark Keeler, Renee House-Thomas, Jamie Williams, Tonya Kronk, and Bruce Nuttleman.

Each of us brings a unique character to the team.  Over the days we spend together, there is a lot of laughter and fun among us.  We each enjoy doing what we are asked to do and we do it to the best of our abilities.

Along with working at New Smyrna, speed51.com also assisted with the online coverage of the Battle at the Beach for NASCAR.  It was a thrill to see Daytona International Speedway with my own eyes along with seeing many people in the industry who have become friends.  Nothing can cap off a day like having a one-on-one conversation with the great Ken Squier, the man who called so many great Daytona 500’s for CBS Sports.

Along with being at both tracks, speed51.com provided housing at a beach house on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.  There is nothing like waking up in the morning and hear the peaceful of waves crashing on the beach. 

Being at both venues gives you an opportunity to meet some of the best rising talents and veteran drivers in the sport. 

One driver that I had an interest in meeting was Dylan Kwasniewski, the 2012 K&N Pro Series West Champion.  Dylan is a driver that has been on my radar since I started working for ASA Racing. At the age of 14, he was winning races in the ASA Truck Series and at the age of 17, he captured the K&N title. 

It was a pleasure to meet him, see him race in person, and now call him a friend.  He will be one to watch in years to come, or later this year.

Another young star to watch is Kyle Benjamin, who won four features in a row during the eight days of racing at New Smyrna Speedway.  He was always on the top of the charts and knew his way around the fast half-mile oval. 

My parents came over to visit for a day, and it was a great opportunity to visit with them and have them take in a night of racing at New Smyrna.  They witnessed Kyle Larson win his second ever asphalt USAC Midget race.  Who knew that night, of what would happen six days later as he would be part of one of the most talked about accidents in auto racing. 

The final highlight occurred when I arrived at the Daytona International Airport for my flight home.  I got a surprise visit from my friend Zack "Z-Man" Morgan. My little buddy, who I met in 2011, and have stayed in contact with ever since.  He made his way from the Daytona infield to the airport to say hi to me.  That was a great way to end my adventure.

I am grateful for Bob & Angie Dillner and the rest of the speed51.com crew for inviting me.  I am grateful for Dennis Huth at ASA Racing to allow me to have this experience. 

Like my dad told Bob Dillner, “It is rare when you can find something you love and be able to work within something you love.”  You are right dad…I am one lucky guy and so happy with whom I have associated myself in short track racing.

There are just two words to say to everyone…Thank You!

AUTO RACING BLOG: Let's Create Local Short Track Heroes

I have a challenge for all short tracks this year; let’s use the media and social media to promote the local heroes at our short tracks.

Sure, we can say why should we when they are going to probably move up to the higher levels of racing.  But, let’s be honest, how many will honestly make it to the top and when they do what is wrong with that?

Sharing stories about our local drivers is missing in today’s short track media.  We need more out there.  Just don’t focus on your top division but all divisions. There are some unique stories that are worth sharing to the fans and to public.

In the Midwest, I grew up watching local heroes like Dick Trickle, Tom Reffner, Joe Shear and more.  They drew crowds when we received an ARTGO flyer in the mail that these stars and their cars will be racing in this event.  John McKarns had something going, he was making them household names.

Some drivers have human-interest stories that the public would love to know about.  These stories may create an interest for a new fan to come out and see this person race in person.  The best part, it is affordable for them to do that.

What would happen if a driver happens to move up to the higher levels of racing? That is a good thing.  Many in the Midwest watched this young driver named Matt Kenseth compete at the local tracks.  Now he is a Sprint Cup Champion and a two-time winner of the Daytona 500.

Here is a unique thing about someone like Kenseth who goes up to the higher levels. They can come back when their schedule allows and race at the short tracks.  There really isn’t any other mainstream sport that cannot really offer something where a professional athlete can come back down and play that sport.

Think about it, your local short track probably has many drivers who are veterans that can easily fit the role of a local track hero.  This driver has a solid fan base and the fans will either cheer or boo when they win. 

Now drivers, this is not an opportunity for you to become a “prima donna” and start demanding appearance fees, discounts on tires, officials looking the other way when you do something wrong on the track, etc.  You need to embrace it and become an ambassador for your track.  You need to help them thrive and become the place that people want to spend their entertainment dollar at. 

This is all about working together and making our short tracks the place that provides the best place to visit each week. 

When I was growing up, I would get as many autographs I could when I was at the local track. It felt the same as getting a Sprint Cup drivers autograph.  Anytime we saw a driver walking around in their driver’s suit, we didn’t know who they were, but knew they were a driver and we wanted them to sign our checkered flag.  That driver took their time to sign and became an instant hero.

While we are promoting our events, let’s promote our local drivers as well.  You make them feel important to the track; they will make sure that the track is important to them.  This will be a successful cross promotion.

AUTO RACING BLOG - Promote a Louder Positive Voice to Short Track Racing

If you are like me, you are passionate about short track racing.  Your passion focuses on a particular track, division, series, etc.  When you are passionate about something, it is easy to give a positive voice to it.  Positive to where you can influence others to get interested and join you in your passion.

Sadly, there are also people, while they may also share your same passion, tend to focus more on the negative side of short track racing.  Many of us can site examples that could put this sport in the wrong direction.

What is sadder is the negative voice tends is usually louder than the positive voice.  It is time for the positive voice to get loud.

I won’t disagree that the negative voice does, at times, has a legitimate complaint or concern.  They are heard and many times those issues are fixable and they do get fixed.

At the same time, that voice is more over sour grapes and the issue cannot be let go and not be moved forward.  You can only scream for so long, before you fall on deaf ears.

Most of all, a good percentage of the complaints are “internal” and needs to stay away from the fans.

Instead, we need to focus more about the positive aspects of our sports to the fans.  We need to encourage more fans to come to the track and putting on a great entertaining show for them.  Give them a show that will encourage them to come back next week and bring more family and friends with them.

Promoters need their competitors, teams and fans to help promote their events. 

Your car easily draws attention if it is on display at a busy grocery store or retail store on a weekend. 

Meeting fans while the car is on display or after a night of racing in the pits will create more interest than you can imagine.  A fan that has a positive interaction with a driver and their crew will become your biggest supporter the next time you are on track.

Focus more on what positive things you see at the track.  What brings you back every week?  Share those stories and not the negative ones. This may make them think twice of going to the track.

Short track racing is still affordable, family friendly and transcends from one generation to another.  Let’s keep that going for the next generation.

Let’s use social media and message boards to push the positive side of short track racing.  Let’s all help create new interest and excitement. 

Let’s make sure that our local short tracks have great revenue from the front gate and not solely rely on the back gate. 

If we are going to talk about short track racing, let’s keep it positive and moving forward in 2013.