Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Open-ended question here:

Who do you think is an underrated (or underpublicized) driver?

I realize the definition for "underrated" can vary greatly and I'm sure some will base it on stats, some on the "eye test."  I'm basically talking about drivers who are top flight, get wins, top 5s, top 10s especially when traveling series - All Stars or WoO or NSL or KWS or whatever - come to town.  Also including some higher prestige, higher paying, "larger shows."  Again, understanding the definition of "underrated" can vary...greatly.  Just an idea for conversation.     

I'll start: LUCAS WOLFE.  Hodnett, Dietrich and even Marks and Montieth get the headlines/pub (rightly so on all accounts) but Wolfe doesn't seem to.  He was the highest finishing Posse member at Nationals last year at 9th.  Finsihed 4th at the Lernerville Silver Cup (1st Feature), 6th at Summer Nationals at the Grove Night 1 and 8th on Night 2.  Just a few off top of my head/cursory glance at interwebs.     

I agree. Lucas is a very underrated driver. He is really good in the 5w but the 1z seems to have some issues, but he is a constant top 10 - Top 5 driver. Will win around 4 races running locally isn't flashy and doesnt tear up equipment 

David Gravel - He leaves everything on the track, every lap, every race.

I'd agree, Gravel doesn't get the cred he deserves.

Lucas is an excellent qualifer, but he doesn't have a lot of wins to his credit.

Kemenah is pretty underrated, he's won at alot of different tracks,and had a very impressive Knoxville record in the mid-2000s.

Kody Swanson

Outlaws: Have felt Paul McMahon has always been underrated. Obviously Schatz is the first guy you think of when you think of the Outlaws but I have felt the past few years people think about the KKR drivers, Saldana, and Stewart before McMahon.

All Stars: Lee Jacobs. Made the Nationals a couple of years ago and is consistent whenever he runs with the all stars. Does alot with very little money in the budget.

Young up and comers/Future: Sheldon Haudenschild/Ryan Smith (had a breakout season last year in family owned equipment), Cap Henry/Cole Duncan/ Danny Holtgraver ( Local Ohio/Western PA  guys all just need seat time, all in early to mid 20's have yet to hit there prime. Stay on the road and learn from Blaney, Kemenah, Shaffer, Danny Smith, Haud and they will be good come another 10years or so.)

With mostly a midwest / WOO exposure this is the list I would say.  I don't get a chance to see much PA action so please take no offense. 

1. Bill Balog (NSL/IRA) The guy can flat out fly.  If he had a WOO type of ride he would for sure be in the conversation.

2. Brian Brown (NSL) With good backing I'd love to see him on the WOO tour as well as more PA shows. One of the nicest guys in racing and the best sponser promoter. 

3. Logan Schuchart (WOO) again, with the right equipment I think the kid would be really good and has done a lot with what they have.

4. Dusty Zomer True Outlaw if the BWW ride stays intact they'll win some big ones this year.

5. DJ Netto (King of the West?)  This kid is going to be really good. Would of loved to see him get that WOO win this year.

Aaron Ott....decent time trailer and races well. Car can be prone to mechanical ills.

Brian Bown........With good backing??????!!!!!!

I guarentee he has more backing and money behind him than 80% of any of the guys on the Outlaw trail already.  Trust me, he has good backing already.

Agree 100%. I would add Brent Marks to the list. Has traveled to a few tracks in the Midwest, did pretty well, and is usually moving forward. Passed a ton of cars this weekend for sure.

It really depends on how "underrated" you want to go. I definitely agree that David Gravel is much better than the national audience perceives him as, but he's stilll on the radar at this point considering he's in a top-notch ride and has won a Knoxville Nationals Prelim night before. 

For me, I dig in to Ohio. Chris Andrews, Caleb Griffith and Craig Mintz come to mind quickly. They don't necessarily have that huge motor needed to make noise at Ohio's premier event at Eldora, but go to Ohio Speedweek and you won't be dissapointed. In Posse country, I would say Blane Heimbach and JJ Grasso just because I think they get overlooked because they don't run the Grove. There's a hoard of them out west: Shane Golobic, DJ Netto, Kyle Hirst... 

 But my pick right now for the most underrated driver? TJ Michael. 

80% of the WOO drivers?  Yikes..  I'll take your word for it.

Can you back this with facts?  I always assumed (there I go assuming myself) that Brian would go on the road with the Outlaws if he had more backing than 80% of the other outlaws.  

So, are you comparing his financial backing to the financial backing of other drivers he faces on a weekly basis or do you actually know for a fact that he has the financial resources to compete with the outlaws but chooses not to?

If he truly does and you know this for a fact then I am shocked that he has not jumped out on tour for a year or two.

 If you're correct, please know that I am not trying to argue with you about this.  I would just like to know if this is fact or your observation from afar.

1. Great call on those OH guys you listed. 

2. Golobic also an A+ pick here. Totally underrated driver. I really like Netto (and the other phenomenal almost teenager drivers in CA right now) but I think he's a bit too young and not experienced quite enough to be considered "underrated." He's more likely to be on a list of "young and upcoming drivers."

3. Hirst again a great pick. Seems to always be a guy who you say "oh yeah Hirst...totally forgot about him" especially when he goes down under and rocks in the Milwaukee ride. 

4. TJ Michael was impressive last weekend for sure. 

Don't be so sure Brownie would jump right in the WoO tour as his team is currently constructed (I have no idea if he would or not). 1. His two largest sponsors - Casey's and FVP are Midwest based companies. In Casey's case only located in Midwest. He goes to Vegas and CA to support FVP but they're not a national brand either. Tough to sell your two biggest sponsors in not being in their area all/most of the time.  2. Being a car owner, driver, etc he'd have to really make sure it makes fiscal sense. Let's just say he could afford it. Does that mean it's the right business decision IF it means the potential for working on a smaller profit margin? 

Brownie seems to have a pretty good thing going with his schedule where he travels regionally but also to bigger shows (as well as Vegas and CA as noted above) in select parts of the country, hits a good number of WoO shows, etc. 

Again this is all as currently constructed. If he grabs a huge national Sponsor maybe things change.  

Brown would need Casey's, FVP or another sponsor to step up to go on WoO.  Although I think if Brian really wanted to he could get the backing and go.  But no, his budget to run regionally is not a WoO budget.

If, Brian did get the money and go out, I think he would finish about 5th or 6th in points behind Schatz, Sweet, Pittman, and Stewart, maybe Saldana.  I think he would pick up 5-8 wins.  

My actual vote is Dusty Zomer.  Can run the bullrings, can tun the 1/2 miles.  Saw his victory lane interview in Knoxville. Guy is much more polished, looks the part, talks the part, has more confidence.  Nice guy, Great with fans.  Would love to see him get a shot.  On another note... how many straight months is this for one guy in BWW car?  If that doesn't tell you something!  When he starts near the front he's hard to beat.  Needs to be a little more aggressive when he starts mid pack in the first few laps.  But he's easy on equipment.  Rarely tears stuff up.

Believe it or not, I would also say Lasoski.  Since he left outlaw trail 2 years ago everyone wrote him off as a has been. Lasoski still beats the Outlaws, whether Volusia, I-80, or Arizona.  Is a threat to win Knoxville Nationals.  And dominates the Midwest sprint car scene, which is arguably the toughest regional group of racers anywhere.  But nobody really talks about him.  Obviously everyone still expects him to win at Knoxville and NSL races.  But I think Lasoski could run outlaws in a TSR car this year and compete for championship.

Great points

Cap Henry 

Lucas needs to get that car to run a feature like it runs hot laps and TH.

fading backwards is under performing ...ratings might change once he finishes better?

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

I'll throw Davey Heskin's name into the pot for Knoxville guys. He's had some good point finishes including a 2nd place finish in 2012 and he has four 410 feature wins to his name. From watching Davey, it almost always seems like he's always passing guys and moving up through the field in the feature. And if he starts up front and loses some positions then he'll change what he's doing and work his way up through traffic to gain back positions he's lost. He's had some very impressive runs at the Nationals on prelim nights and qualified for three Saturday night A-Mains at the Nationals from 2010-2012. In 2010, he started 16th and finished 8th, in 2011, he started 10th and finished 18th, and in 2012, he started 22nd and finished 10th.

Davey is also probably one of the cheeriest guys that you will run into in the pits. He's always got a smile on his face and he's terrific with fans. He's a great driver with a great family run operation for a race team.

Ask Frank