BORDEN IN (3-22-10) - When I was asked to write this segment, I wasn't exactly sure what to write about.
Then, I started to think about what it is like to be a veteran in this sport and what that means to me, since I'm probably one of the guys that have been around the garage area the longest. With that said, some consider me a mentor to the young drivers coming into the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. Speaking of Menards, go buy Ansell gloves at your local Menards store, they're great!
Being seen as a mentor in the sport that I love is very humbling. It's so rewarding that young drivers come up to me and ask for advice on how to race, how to approach each of the tracks and just about anything else you can think of in the garage. I think something that my brother, Bill, and I can bring to the table is a lot of experience. Nowadays, I think young drivers are very talented and have the capabilities to drive a fast race car, but when it comes down to the race, I think that some do not have the mindset of a racecar driver yet. We want to help the inexperienced drivers understand that it's not a 30-lap shootout-style race like they're used to running on Saturday nights at their local short track. Once they learn this, they will grow as a racer, especially if they plan to move up the ranks into NASCAR. As a driver moves up in various series, they will not earn respect in the garage if they do not have patience in a racecar with races that can be upwards of four hours long. ARCA is where inexperienced drivers can learn the most because there's such a diverse field from week to week. I am pleased that I can help accelerate the learning curves of young drivers and consider it a privilege that they come to me for advice.
The ARCA Racing Series does not just develop drivers; they also develop successful crew members. Kimmel Racing has been fortunate to have some great guys work for us in the shop and at the track. Whether it is on a volunteer or paid basis, they're always there doing whatever they can to benefit the team. Some very talented young men have come through our shop over the years. One of the main things Bill and I try to tell them upfront is that if they wouldn't work in the shop or garage for free, they shouldn't be doing it at all. Not that we just want free help, but we try to make them understand that in order to be successful, they have to love the work they are doing. Once they get in the shop, we try to help them realize the basic mechanics of a racecar and help them learn that they need to make sure everything is done properly, so they can run consistently. When you're at the race track, failure is not an option when it comes to mechanics, and we try to instill that mentality in the shop.
It's a privilege to go racing every week and work on racecars for a living. There are many people in the world that would love to do what we do but don't get the opportunity. If someone doesn't feel that way, then racing probably isn't the profession for them. Some of our guys have gone on to work at Hendrick, RCR and various other teams in NASCAR. We're proud to have had these guys come through our shop and team while learning the basics they carry into the rest of their careers.
Well, I hope you learned a little bit about me and my team. We're in the middle of getting ready for our next ARCA race at our "home track," Salem Speedway, on April 11. Be sure to listen in on arcaracing.com, and check out our next live event on SPEED on April 16 at Texas Motor Speedway. We haven't raced there in a long, long time, so it should be a good show. See you at the race track!
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