Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
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Bill W. - Josh is one of a group of drivers that keep coming back to Knoxville in a 410 year after year, despite little success or feature wins.  I understand the love of racing, but doesn't the expense outweigh the thrill at some point?  How do they stay optimistic and motivated without results?  Thanks.

The thrill being part of and competing at National Sprint Car Capitol of the world is one reason.Even on an average night having a young fan ask for your autograph is another.Winning features at Knoxville is an accomplishment several drivers who race their whole career and dont accomplish.With at least 7 of the top 20 sprint car racers in the nation competing finishing 9th in points is something. Without sponsers it would be hard to make ends meet even running the WOO.

Just the love of racing. He is also pretty competitive at Knoxville here and there getting a few top fives maybe top threes last year. I remember a couple of races where he was on the move late in the race. Not to mention he runs the Sprint Invaders too for some still talented but lesser competition than the Knoxville 410 class. I'm guessing they set realistic goals for the team. A win at Knoxville would mean so much to the team. I hope some night they get there.

Let's not forget that Josh did qualify for the A-Main at the 50th Nationals.  I know that's several years ago now, but it's still something to hang your hat on and use for motivation.

Signature here.

So if a driver doesn't win at Knoxville or any racetrack he or she shouldn't race? He's a talented driver, doesn't live that far from Knoxville, and wouldn't be suprised if he pulls a win this season. The level of talent at Knoxville is top notch, and like most tracks wins aren't easy to come by. I'm sure he could travel to tracks that may have less competition...you know....big fish little pond. 

Keep It Real

He's employed full-time while racing every Saturday against the strongest weekly competition anywhere in the country. My guess is he does it for numerous reasons. It's a team sport where he gets to compete each week alongside his family and friends. Teams like this is what make up 80% of sprint car fields around the country. If everyone raced for just money, we wouldn't have shit for car counts.  

Don't forget, he made the A-Main of the nationals in 2010. I'm sure that experience provided plenty of motivation to keep going and reach that point again.

-Austin Rankin

Josh had a car good enough to win a couple times last year come A main time but a poor TT had him starting too far back. He gets better every year, maybe not by big leaps but there seems to be continued improvement. 

Have you checked out the interview of Josh and Davey Heskin on the site?  They give good insight about racing weekly at Knoxville and what it means to be on a family team.  Without drivers like Josh, Knoxville would not be what it is today, and his first win is not a matter of "if" but "when"....

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

For you to even ask how they stay optimistic and motived without results honestly makes me question you as a race fan. If it weren't for drivers like Josh, this sport wouldn't be nearly what it is. They race because of passion, family and the ridiculous amount of fans they have. They're "hometown" boys who work their asses off 5 days a week at their full time jobs, spend countless hours at night working on the car, and ALWAYS show up on Saturday night. They're motivated because after the races, even if they didn't win or even get top 3, they have crowds of fans waiting to see them, and chances are someone has even made them homemade cookies! Is racing expensive? Obviously. But sometimes in life it's not about the money or the trophies sitting in the race shop, it's about the people you meet along the way that make not winning every weekend WORTH IT.

?????

Josh has been very competitive at Knoxville.  I sit very close to his "cheering section" every year for the Nationals.  We have sat right in front of them a couple of times---nice folks.  They really get into cheering him on and I remember him making the A-main at least once if not mistaken.  (?)    He looks like one of those drivers that would be a good bet if you wanted to throw a driver into a well financed national ride--------I think he would give you results.  Love watching him race.  

Don't understand your point.  90-100 drivers show up every year that have never won the Nationals.  

You say you understand the love of racing.  But you truly don't. 

Things have to line up just right to win a feature at Knoxville.The track conditions, invert and number of yellow flags are the main ones and having a favorite or two have an off night,tire, or mechanical problems.Two people I remember winning a feature at Knoxville were Kerm Schaffers son and Bob Weave. When people like Terry,Brian,Dude,Ian,Kerry,show up they are hard to beat but can be done.One of my favorite memories is Randy Anderson passing both Danny and Terry on a green white checkered in the #47.The love of competition is strong and doing the best with what you have is a win also.If you have never done it its hard to explain the feeling of just being part of the sport.

He also has a 3rd place finish in an outlaw race. Great guy and team.