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Michigan native Jeremy Campbell was voted the 2000 360 Rookie of the Year by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. Ten years later he's leading the points for Rookie of the Year locally at 81 Speedway in Wichita, Kansas and with the National Championship Racing Association, a Midwest-based 360 Sprint Car Series. He's also leading the championship points with both groups and ran more than 300 World of Outlaw events in last 10 years. It's been a long road.
"To go from running the full 410 WoO schedule, then race 15 410 shows in two years, then start racing a 360 sprint car for points locally is a huge adjustment," said Campbell. "But there's something to be said for sleeping in your own bed at night."
Campbell spent seven of the last ten years traveling the country with everything from the Gumout Series to the All Stars, and the World of Outlaws. At only 17-years-old he went on the road with a family-owned team and competed against the best drivers and race teams out there. "Trailers don't win races, but ones stocked with new motors, new cars, and new parts sure gives you an advantage," explained Campbell. "When you own your own team you are paying everyone but yourself, and even though I was living my dream, it's wears on you after awhile. I was living out of my toter-home and struggling to get from race to race."
In 2008 Campbell sold the team and spent two seasons racing for car owners in the Michigan and Ohio area. "I ran one race the whole 2009 season, it's just happened to be the last one of the year and a pretty big one. Ron Gorby, who had supported us for years, called me up and invited me to race his car at the World of Outlaw Show at Lowe's Motor Speedway. We came down with the smallest trailer there and ran 12th which was pretty exciting," said Campbell. "I knew when I moved to Kansas in 2010 I wanted to get back into racing, I just couldn't figure out how to make it work."
In early 2010 things finally came together, and Campbell got a phone call from Danny King, owner of the e85 Ethanol 360 Sprint Car, with an offer to race the full NCRA schedule. Then, with leftover parts and the help of father-in-law Dwight Schroeder, Campbell was able to put together his own 360 to run locally in Wichita. "Everything kind of fell into place," said Campbell. "Both cars have been running good and it's like I was never out of the seat."
Campbell is currently leading the points at 81 Speedway and with NCRA, and says he's enjoying the new situation. "The people we race with are great," said Campbell. "I'm doing what I love, finally making some money, and feel like my life is a little more normal now. The time I had with the Outlaws was great, and the experience definitely comes in handy at new tracks. I'd still love to run a 410 now and then, but just to be racing again is a dream come true."
For more information about Jeremy Campbell, or to become involved with the team visit www.jeremycampbell.net
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