For The Love Of Racing, Part II
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07/14/2015 Jeremiah Thalheimer |
As many of you know from my last column, I am very passionate about
local racing. In addition to my experience at Irwindale, I have also
worked at another NASCAR-affiliated short track. This one was a little
3/8 mile gem in Texas known as Houston Motorsports Park or HMP.
While Irwindale can be considered a west coast version of Bristol - sleek, modern, and polished - HMP could be compared to North Wilkesboro - not as glitzy, not as fancy, but every bit as awesome.
For the latter half of 2012 and all of 2013, I spent many Saturdays at HMP. After a few races, I was moved to a spot I learned well at Irwindale: the spotters' stand. Just like Irwindale, the spotters' stand at HMP was a place of flared tempers and frayed egos. Many nights I was yelled at, cussed out, and once I was even flipped off by an irate spotter, but I had a blast.
Early in 2013, I discovered something else I immensely enjoyed: flagging. During qualifying one day, our regular starter, John Austin, invited me into the flag stand to try my hand at it. I quickly discovered flagging is harder than it looks as I proceeded to tangle the flags several times. After a few pointers and some good natured ribbing from John Austin (he said my flagging was like watching a baby giraffe take its first steps), I began to get the hang of it and John Austin told me I could start flagging practice if I wanted. From then on, I spent Saturday afternoons flagging practice and Saturday nights running the spotters' stand during features. Even if I had to work on Saturday, I would leave the office in Galveston and push my Ford Mustang for all it was worth up I-45 and the Houston Beltway in order to get to HMP in time to work the races.
Just like Irwindale, I made some great friends and saw some great racing. Evenings would typically begin with a stirring invocation from track chaplain Nick Holt and an equally stirring rendition of the national anthem by Bandolero driver Zoey Barker followed by HMP's diverse slate of racing. A crowd favorite was always the Eco-stocks, which were basically four cylinder cars outfitted with roll cages that gave practically anyone who wanted to a chance to race. The Legends featured exciting battles as young drivers like Christopher Hogan tried to move through the ranks while taking on seasoned veterans like Buddy Gowdy. The truck races generally turned into slug fests, and the 2013 season featured a thrilling rivalry between Zack Knowles and Rick Pollaro that lead to some torn up tracks and flared tempers on pit row. Last was the premier class at HMP - the modifieds - where every week drivers would attempt to defeat local superstars Joe Aramendia. Occasionally, track owner Graham Baker would race his modified when he wasn't leading the field in the pace car.
Once again, just like last week, I implore you: pleases support your local short tracks. If you're a fan of racing, you will love the action at your local bullring. You'll get to watch local drivers hang it all on the line for one reason: the love of racing. All it will take is one trip and I promise, you will be hooked for life.
While Irwindale can be considered a west coast version of Bristol - sleek, modern, and polished - HMP could be compared to North Wilkesboro - not as glitzy, not as fancy, but every bit as awesome.
For the latter half of 2012 and all of 2013, I spent many Saturdays at HMP. After a few races, I was moved to a spot I learned well at Irwindale: the spotters' stand. Just like Irwindale, the spotters' stand at HMP was a place of flared tempers and frayed egos. Many nights I was yelled at, cussed out, and once I was even flipped off by an irate spotter, but I had a blast.
Early in 2013, I discovered something else I immensely enjoyed: flagging. During qualifying one day, our regular starter, John Austin, invited me into the flag stand to try my hand at it. I quickly discovered flagging is harder than it looks as I proceeded to tangle the flags several times. After a few pointers and some good natured ribbing from John Austin (he said my flagging was like watching a baby giraffe take its first steps), I began to get the hang of it and John Austin told me I could start flagging practice if I wanted. From then on, I spent Saturday afternoons flagging practice and Saturday nights running the spotters' stand during features. Even if I had to work on Saturday, I would leave the office in Galveston and push my Ford Mustang for all it was worth up I-45 and the Houston Beltway in order to get to HMP in time to work the races.
Just like Irwindale, I made some great friends and saw some great racing. Evenings would typically begin with a stirring invocation from track chaplain Nick Holt and an equally stirring rendition of the national anthem by Bandolero driver Zoey Barker followed by HMP's diverse slate of racing. A crowd favorite was always the Eco-stocks, which were basically four cylinder cars outfitted with roll cages that gave practically anyone who wanted to a chance to race. The Legends featured exciting battles as young drivers like Christopher Hogan tried to move through the ranks while taking on seasoned veterans like Buddy Gowdy. The truck races generally turned into slug fests, and the 2013 season featured a thrilling rivalry between Zack Knowles and Rick Pollaro that lead to some torn up tracks and flared tempers on pit row. Last was the premier class at HMP - the modifieds - where every week drivers would attempt to defeat local superstars Joe Aramendia. Occasionally, track owner Graham Baker would race his modified when he wasn't leading the field in the pace car.
Once again, just like last week, I implore you: pleases support your local short tracks. If you're a fan of racing, you will love the action at your local bullring. You'll get to watch local drivers hang it all on the line for one reason: the love of racing. All it will take is one trip and I promise, you will be hooked for life.
