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March
29, 2006
Drivers
Chasin the Dream Racin for a Livin (More of the Top 50)
 Last
week we took you inside Racin for a Livin and introduced you to
the creator Jerry VanDenHul. This former World of Outlaws racer
has developed a show that will not just give one driver his or
her fifteen minutes of fame, but will give them a real shot to
impress Nextel Cup Owners with seven races in the Busch Series
with quality equipment. Today we will introduce you to just a
few of the top fifty drivers that will be competing for the fan's
votes starting March 28th. Twelve of these local stars will get
a shot at the big time that might have always eluded their grasp!
All
over the USA drivers compete at their local short tracks. Some
just are in it to satisfy that adrenaline-induced need to race.
Others are hoping to beat the odds and race their way to the big
time someday. "Racin for a Livin" will give one driver
a chance to beat the odds and race in the NASCAR Busch series.
Thousands of drivers applied, fifty will be chosen to vie for
the fan's vote, and twelve will get a chance to chase that dream!
Let's take a look at a few of the drivers hoping to get this shot
at the big time.
(Order of drivers by random draw)
Chris
Hettinger
Hailing from Dryden, Michigan; Chris is another open wheel guy
hoping to make it to the big time someday. "I thought this
another of those driver development things for youngsters, but
it sounded really intriguing," said Hettinger. "I thought
it was a long shot to make the cut but I actually got the very
last spot! Being the underdog might just get the fan's attention
during the voting. Midgets are the perfect thing to train you,
our first night in a late model we won." This 27-year old
engineer knows that the odds are long but his family has a rich
racing tradition. "My Dad is in the Michigan Motorsports
Hall of Fame, I have paid the dues and lived racing!" Perhaps
this will be the next famous Michigan driver with a little help
from Berlin Speedway owner Johnny Benson. "Johnny has been
very influential in guiding me on my career path." Chris
hopes the next step is a spot on Racin for a Livin!
Trent
Mayo
One of the more unusual story lines among the top 50 rookies is
Trent Mayo, the "Asphalt Cowboy." A native of Stone
Mountain, Georgia Trent combines his love for racing with the
talent and passion for country music too. What other race driver
can say he has jammed with members of Lynard Skynard and the Red
Hot Chili Peppers? In addition Trent is pursuing a degree in Mechanical
Engineering. Did I mention he JUST turned eighteen? "I found
out about making the top 50 on my birthday, I was so excited my
ice cream cake melted," joked Mayo. Racing in the tough Aaron's
Pro Challenge series has gotten him acclimated to many different
tracks. "I had to start dead last at Bristol last year because
we changed the alternator. I was able to finish 6th!" These
three-quarter scale cars can reach top speeds to over 130mph at
Bristol. This singing racer hopes to write a happy tune about
his Racin for a Livin experience.
Brian Brown
Brian is another driver with a proud racing heritage in his family.
Uncle Danny "The Dude" Lasoski gave Brian his first
sprint car after he worked on the World of Outlaws tour on his
Uncle's cars. "As long as I can remember I was at the races.
On career day at school I came in a driver's uniform, its all
I ever wanted to be," said Brown. "Everything happens
for a reason. I'm happy just to get to race and thankful for the
ride the Doogs gave me here. It was a relief to make the top 50
there is so much talent out there." Now the tough part begins
with the race to make the cut with help from the fan's votes.
"I feel like I have already won the heat race, now I am going
to the main," Brown said in true sprint driver style! "This
is a great opportunity for guys that can't buy their way into
a NASCAR ride." Perhaps that is the biggest joy of Racin
for a Livin, it will give one driver a chance at their dream.
For Brian Brown he already lives that dream every day, he is a
racecar driver!
Dexter
Bean
Racin for a Livin has its own group of "Young Guns"
including Dexter Bean from Westby, Wisconsin. This nineteen year
old will be campaigning all season in the ARCA series while trying
to get the fan's votes. "My Dad found out about the show
as he was surfing around. I thought it was really cool that Johnny
Sauter called me to tell me I made the top 50," said an enthusiastic
Bean. "I never expected to be in an ARCA ride so soon. I
might have come along real fast but I keep my head on straight."
His best finish in a handful of ARCA starts was a solid ninth
at Talladega last season. "I think running well in ARCA this
season will get the fans to vote for me." Dexter will also
be racing in the tough Wisconsin Challenge Series. If getting
lucky is the key to success in racing Dexter has an advantage.
His team is named "Black Jack Racing" since the team
was financed by his Dad's winnings in Vegas!
Ron
Wolf
If you like underdogs and cagey veterans then you will love Ron
Wolf. "This Racin for a Livin concept is great. The age limit
in the Roush Driver X thing closed the doors on a guy like me,
" said Wolf. "The will be a chance of a lifetime. Whoever
ends up in the final twelve will be winners." Ron is not
only the "Senior Rookie" he is also the representative
from Washington State, hailing from Auburn twenty-five miles south
of Seattle. "The lack of money kept me from running as much
as I wanted last year. My most memorable race last season was
at a road course near here. I always thought turning left was
the best thing but I never had more fun and finished fourth even
with transmission problems." Ron runs his own Auto Body shop
to help finance his racing addiction. "I had a big smile
on my face when I found out I made the top 50. Maybe the fans
can give this old guy a chance and I will prove us older guys
can still hang with the younger ones."
Shannon
McQueen
The first female driver to win the Budweiser Outlaw Nationals,
Shannon is also the only female driver to race on pavement and
dirt at the same time. "I'm a pretty simple person really.
I work hard as a CPA to fund my racing. All I ever wanted was
a chance to make it." This twenty-seven year old from Tehachapi,
California has quite a racing resume. "I raced my second
Chili Bowl in January," said McQueen. For those not familiar
with the annual "Chili Bowl" it features some of the
best dirt track racers in the country…winners have included
Tony Stewart, Danny Lasoski, Sammy Swindell and Cory Kruseman.
Shannon won a trophy dash last year at the tough Madera Speedway
and got some experience on larger tracks competing at Irwindale.
"I figured I would apply and see where it goes. I never dreamt
I would get in but my friend Michelle Decker also made it. We
all have the dream but how do you get there?" For Shannon
McQueen and the other top 50 rookies one of them just found a
way!
Michelle
Decker
Hailing from Guthrie, Oklahoma thirty-three year old Michele Decker
has been involved with racing most of her life. "I am just
a grass roots racer. I never dreamed I would have a sponsor let
alone a chance to make a name for myself," exclaimed Decker.
Michelle runs both classes of sprint cars at her local track and
even raced the famous "Chili Bowl" last January. "They
are evil little machines but so much fun to drive!" Michelle
works for a mortgage company when she is not busy working on her
own racecars. " Working on my own stuff is almost as fun
as driving them. I thought maybe I was too old so when I found
out I made the top 50 I was in disbelief. How did I do that,"
joked Decker. She has a busy schedule lined up for 2006 with forty-two
races planned. When she is not running her sprint cars she hopes
to travel to Bakersfield, California to drive her friend Shannon
McQueen's midget. "Those cars are a kick in the pants fun
to drive." Just imagine the fun Michelle will have if she
can get enough fan votes on Racin for a Livin!
Justin Musgrave
Many of the names on Racin for a Livin are new to the fans, but
some have at least a famous last name. Justin Musgrave's Dad is
Craftsman Truck Series' champion Ted.
"I was pretty excited to find out I made the top 50 rookies
list," said Musgrave. "There are so many talented drivers
on this list!" Justin broke his wrist and missed the 2005
season but has tentative plans for this year. He might even end
up racing against his Dad if he can land a part-time truck deal
this season. Otherwise you might see him back in a late model
car. Justin ran the tough Hickory Motor Speedway in late models
back in 2001-2003. While working to get his big break driving,
he continues to work as a fabricator building pit boxes. "It
keeps me in the loop but I want to drive," said Musgrave.
He might just win his way to that chance with help from Racin
for a Livin.
Shawn
Norris
Shawn Norris is a living, breathing example of how infectious
the racing bug can be. "My Grandfather owned open wheel cars.
I got my start racing when I was eight years old, " said
an enthusiastic Shawn Norris. "My wife knew nothing about
racing when we met now she knows more about the sport than some
owners and drivers," joked Norris. This Centerville, Ohio
native works a regular job like most racers to help finance his
racing hobby; but dreams about it being more than a hobby someday.
"We have sacrificed a lot. This is what we have been working
for and we want to make a big splash." Shawn learned about
Racin for a Livin from a post on a message board and was surprised
to make the top 50-rookie list. "This is a huge thing! Being
up against these drivers I didn't think I had a chance. I was
in shock, this might be more nerve racking than racing!"
A graduate of the Buck Baker driving school, Shawn is ready for
his big break.
Wes
Burton
Wes is an example of a guy that has already made the big leap
into NASCAR, but not in the driver's seat yet. A graduate from
UNC-Charlotte in Mechanical Engineering, Wes Burton works for
Hendrick Motorsports. "I love the speed. Driving in as deep
as you can right on the edge…there is nothing like it,"
remarked Burton. "If you want to race for a living NASCAR
is the place to be. I was in disbelief when I found out I was
picked. Now I understand just how much is involved in making it."
When asked why he went into engineering Wes recalled a strong
memory from his childhood. "I remember where I was when I
heard that Alan Kulwicki died." Wes has already shown he
has talent as an engineer building the winning shocks for a recent
Busch series victory for Hendrick Motorsports. This season this
twenty-five year old from Kannapolis, North Carolina is building
his own ASA Late Model car to show off his talents as a driver
too.
Patrick
Bruns
Racing often is a family business for so many drivers. "My
Dad ran the last full service gas station, and a lawn mower repair
shop on the side. He traded a lawn mower for my first race car,"
remarked Bruns. Now the thirty-year old Bruns from Champaign,
Illinois drives a lot of different kinds of cars for top owners.
"I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I went from
a lawn mower race car to first class equipment and won!"
From winged and non-winged sprint cars to modifieds to midgets
Patrick has driven it all. This year he took on the best of the
best in the world of midget racing at the famed "Chili Bowl."
"It's an honor to make the top fifty. There is some hefty
competition and I am appreciative to make the cut so far."
So far Patrick's strategy has been to promote the show first and
foremost. "I want others to have the same opportunity that
I have had so far." Like so many drivers making it to NASCAR
has been a life long dream for Patrick, now the fans can help
make that dream come true with their votes!
In the days ahead we will introduce you to many more of the drivers
hoping to win a shot at Racin for a Livin. Short track racers
all over the USA and the world will get their one big chance for
stardom. Will the training program devised by the amazing group
of experts behind the scenes at the show prepare one of these
drivers to succeed? Check out Racin and a Livin and starting March
28th get involved in the voting to determine just who will get
the shot to show the world what they have got!
illustrations
by Lori Munro / War-Wagon.com
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