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Topic: Funded drivers Email this topic to a friend | Subscribe to this TopicReport this Topic to Moderator
Page 1 of 2   of  29 replies
bighess11
August 28, 2018 at 12:02:43 AM
Joined: 07/01/2013
Posts: 131
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ILP put out a press release for Kevin Swindell saying they are looking for a “funded driver” for about 20 more races this year. How much does a driver need to bring to the table for this? Does the car owner keep all the winnings? And how common is this? I’ve heard about it in the midget ranks but not so much with the Sprint cars. 


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SprintFan16
MyWebsite
August 28, 2018 at 01:14:03 AM
Joined: 05/03/2007
Posts: 1612
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I don't think it will happen, but this feels like a post that could lead to a Twitter rant at some point.



champphotos
MyWebsite
August 28, 2018 at 06:10:06 AM
Joined: 05/21/2011
Posts: 188
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 It happens more than people think.

Basically, you are paying a fee to race and part of the fee is all of the winnings.




Shortie12
MyWebsite
August 28, 2018 at 07:45:47 AM
Joined: 12/11/2008
Posts: 775
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Reply to:
Posted By: champphotos on August 28 2018 at 06:10:06 AM

 It happens more than people think.

Basically, you are paying a fee to race and part of the fee is all of the winnings.



Some drivers have sponsors that follow with them.Some have motors but it sounds like Kevin is looking for someone who will pay expenses in exchange for a chance to drive top equiptment. The days of talent,courage,and a helmet bag are not very common these days. ChiliBowl has some owners willing to give a driver a chance to show their skills and supply car crew and you pay plus also for any damage. If he wants a top driver there is probably one of the best at one time that has same last name and He probably is funded He also has an Uncle that can still get it done.Those guys are amazing. I think Kevin had the talent of Bell and Larson  just unfortunate what happened but I will give him credit He is still doing what he loves in a different capacity. Indy cars are not always driven by best drivers just largest pocketbooks or foreign drivers representing their country. Nascar also likes the different ethnic or  female driver as it draws fans. A few top drivers were funded  to get a chance and for some it paid off.



Nick14
August 28, 2018 at 07:48:52 AM
Joined: 06/04/2012
Posts: 1734
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As Champphotos said it happens more than people think. I have heard mulitiple people label it "pay to play" where the driver basically "buys" the job. The funding can come in multiple forms also which includes the driver bringing sponsors to help pay the bill (hints funded driver), parents/relatives pay for a driver to be in the car, a driver brings their own engines to the table to be used, equipment, or just plain cash. The agreements vary in every situation most likely as far as winnings go. I doubt you will see any two agreements that are alike but it seems like it is the way things are starting to trend and the days of a car owner hiring a driver based on talent are starting to fade. Now I am not saying that the drivers that bring funding to the table are not less talented than drivers that are strictly hired drivers or family teams because I know of quite a few funded drivers that are talented.

For me, it is one of those things that I do not like the funded driver method but I understand its purpose, and understand the economics of why it happens. I guess I prefer drivers getting a ride based on talent and not money with talent, but money is the things that keeps things going. Nothing I can do about it as my investment in the sport is minor compared to owners/promoters/drivers. I just pay my admission fee as many times as possible and watch the races



EasyE
August 28, 2018 at 08:47:49 AM
Joined: 10/29/2017
Posts: 384
Reply

It' fairly common Brad Loyet was renting his stuff out when he got hurt and seen where the guy that ran Sides car at Knoxville a few months back is renting it again.




sedy
August 28, 2018 at 09:37:01 AM
Joined: 06/28/2015
Posts: 50
Reply

This sport is VERY expensive their for their  is alot of "pay to play" going on. Take for instance the 71 car. 3 cars at Knoxville. My guess is all 3 are pay to play??



Keyboard Jockey
August 28, 2018 at 09:49:11 AM
Joined: 04/16/2014
Posts: 430
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I don't get that people dont understand that the entire sport of sprint car racing is pay to play. Someone is paying no mater what. I bet there are less than 10 cars that make more money in a season than was spent on that team to operate the car for the season. 

Just because a sponsor gives a team money, someone is still paying...



longtimemitchfan
August 28, 2018 at 10:15:45 AM
Joined: 06/27/2012
Posts: 749
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A perfect example of what he is looking for is Brock Zearfoss with Destiny notice all his sponsors on the #4 now.

Alot of drivers have sponsors that follow whereever they go Hodnett has a couple that have been with him since the #22.




Gonesprintin'
August 28, 2018 at 11:02:38 AM
Joined: 09/24/2015
Posts: 67
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For alot of racers "renting a ride" or "pay to play" is still alot cheaper and less work than putting a car out on the track on their own.  At that point thats when they need to make a decision.

There are alot of cars looking for a "funded driver".  Look at Ohio for example.  How many good drivers young and old without rides or chances to move up into better equipment.  Yet teams based in Ohio will put a driver from California in their equipment before a local.  It has nothing to do with anything except money.  For whatever read California seems to have alot of drivers who can bring funds to teams in the midwest.  Thats why they are willing to put them in these rides.

Carson Macedo is a perfect example.  He is a hell of a driver but from day 1 has had no issue finding a ride.  Even the 3G hasnt run All Stars full time for a long time.  Why did they put him in and run full time? He obviously brought some funds through sponors.  You can tell because the same sponsors showed up on the 41 when he jumped in it.  

I would disagree that owner keeps the money.  I would say it veries by case but the driver probably gets some of the purse.  Often like a 60-40 I would guess. 



blazer00
August 28, 2018 at 11:38:57 AM
Joined: 06/10/2015
Posts: 2420
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Hello.....nothing new with this. Hell, not too long ago a successful driver was ousted for another successful driver because the second driver was able to bring a rather large portfolio so to speak along with his helmet bag that the previous driver wasn't.  And it works for the most part. A lot of talented "rich kids" are getting rides. But I dare say a lot more talent isn't getting the opportunity.....young and old. As for Kevin' car, it is a good one.....and I would venture to say that Sammy has made some commitments to other car owners and won't back away from them. Just a guess....'cause Sammy would be great in that car!



Keyboard Jockey
August 28, 2018 at 12:43:51 PM
Joined: 04/16/2014
Posts: 430
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Reply to:
Posted By: blazer00 on August 28 2018 at 11:38:57 AM

Hello.....nothing new with this. Hell, not too long ago a successful driver was ousted for another successful driver because the second driver was able to bring a rather large portfolio so to speak along with his helmet bag that the previous driver wasn't.  And it works for the most part. A lot of talented "rich kids" are getting rides. But I dare say a lot more talent isn't getting the opportunity.....young and old. As for Kevin' car, it is a good one.....and I would venture to say that Sammy has made some commitments to other car owners and won't back away from them. Just a guess....'cause Sammy would be great in that car!



Unless someone else is paying the bills, sammy isn't going to bring funding for his kids car. I don't care how good he is, they are loosing money unless someone else is paying for it. 




Jamie Klootwyk
August 28, 2018 at 06:20:56 PM
Joined: 09/14/2006
Posts: 487
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I find this topic interesting because it spotlights the challenges of becoming a professional racer.

Racing is that one major sport where "the greatest drivers of all time" were probably never found and most never will be.  Unlike every other major sport you can't sign up for racing at the YMCA or local youth club or local school district and just play.  You can't spend $20 on a ball or bat or mitt and go practice in your own back yard or driveway honing your skills.  You have to invest just to start, have parents willing to do much more than just drive you to games or play catch, and then you have to bring a ton of financial backing to get to the top.  To become a professional race car driver is a hustle and the ones who don't start out life wealthy or with the right last name have to bust their ass just to get started and open their own doors. 

Imagine what the NBA, NFL or MLB would look like if you had to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars between the ages of 10 and 20 just to participate and compete.

While I truly believe that guys like Gordon, Stewart, and Larson are crazy talented and earned everything they got, for every one of them there are 10,000 kids who dreamed of racing who never had an opportunity and probably 100,000 more who never even knew sprint cars existed.  Less than 0.1% of kids grow up exposed to any sort of autosports.  The statistical odds would tell you that almost certainly the most talented drivers god ever put on the planet never once sat in a race car.  



zeakemedia
MyWebsite
August 30, 2018 at 05:19:36 PM
Joined: 01/27/2006
Posts: 110
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Gonesprintin' on August 28 2018 at 11:02:38 AM

For alot of racers "renting a ride" or "pay to play" is still alot cheaper and less work than putting a car out on the track on their own.  At that point thats when they need to make a decision.

There are alot of cars looking for a "funded driver".  Look at Ohio for example.  How many good drivers young and old without rides or chances to move up into better equipment.  Yet teams based in Ohio will put a driver from California in their equipment before a local.  It has nothing to do with anything except money.  For whatever read California seems to have alot of drivers who can bring funds to teams in the midwest.  Thats why they are willing to put them in these rides.

Carson Macedo is a perfect example.  He is a hell of a driver but from day 1 has had no issue finding a ride.  Even the 3G hasnt run All Stars full time for a long time.  Why did they put him in and run full time? He obviously brought some funds through sponors.  You can tell because the same sponsors showed up on the 41 when he jumped in it.  

I would disagree that owner keeps the money.  I would say it veries by case but the driver probably gets some of the purse.  Often like a 60-40 I would guess. 



You should go ask the guys on the 11n what they charge. I’m sure this isn’t the first time but you have no idea what you’re talking about on that car. Or maybe ask Cole, Cap, Craig, DJ, Buddy, Parker, or Chris what they paid to get in it. 

Have another beer. 

Blake



Gonesprintin'
August 30, 2018 at 09:40:48 PM
Joined: 09/24/2015
Posts: 67
Reply

Funny I never mentioned the 11N. Way to make assumptions along with assuming I drink which I don't. I'm the one with no credibility though. Sorry I struck a nerve while you were making false accusations. 




zeakemedia
MyWebsite
August 31, 2018 at 09:02:45 AM
Joined: 01/27/2006
Posts: 110
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Gonesprintin' on August 30 2018 at 09:40:48 PM

Funny I never mentioned the 11N. Way to make assumptions along with assuming I drink which I don't. I'm the one with no credibility though. Sorry I struck a nerve while you were making false accusations. 



Good try. I’ll give credit for the attempt of deflection but please name another Ohio team using drivers from California. 

Blake



JonR
August 31, 2018 at 08:20:19 PM
Joined: 05/28/2008
Posts: 872
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Jamie Klootwyk on August 28 2018 at 06:20:56 PM

I find this topic interesting because it spotlights the challenges of becoming a professional racer.

Racing is that one major sport where "the greatest drivers of all time" were probably never found and most never will be.  Unlike every other major sport you can't sign up for racing at the YMCA or local youth club or local school district and just play.  You can't spend $20 on a ball or bat or mitt and go practice in your own back yard or driveway honing your skills.  You have to invest just to start, have parents willing to do much more than just drive you to games or play catch, and then you have to bring a ton of financial backing to get to the top.  To become a professional race car driver is a hustle and the ones who don't start out life wealthy or with the right last name have to bust their ass just to get started and open their own doors. 

Imagine what the NBA, NFL or MLB would look like if you had to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars between the ages of 10 and 20 just to participate and compete.

While I truly believe that guys like Gordon, Stewart, and Larson are crazy talented and earned everything they got, for every one of them there are 10,000 kids who dreamed of racing who never had an opportunity and probably 100,000 more who never even knew sprint cars existed.  Less than 0.1% of kids grow up exposed to any sort of autosports.  The statistical odds would tell you that almost certainly the most talented drivers god ever put on the planet never once sat in a race car.  



Very interesting post.   Anyone who has been to different regions have seen local hot-shoes that dominated an area, was the most talented driver in that area, and yet because of a hundred different factors never "made it" in racing.   It is espically intersting when you listen to professional drivers talk about racing when they started out.   All of them have stories about thier heros who they considered to be much better than they are, but never got the break.



alum.427
September 03, 2018 at 08:37:25 AM
Joined: 03/16/2017
Posts: 1599
Reply

Drivers bringing sponsorship dollars with them is really not anything new. It's not coming out of the drivers pocket, and he still is racing for a percentage of the winnings. Carson obviously has someone behind him with dollars and it's a win, win deal for all parties involved. 




dsc1600
September 03, 2018 at 01:46:08 PM
Joined: 05/31/2007
Posts: 4373
Reply

I had heard somewhere that Madsen got the Muddy 2 ride because he brought motors to the team. Not sure if it’s accurate but he’s one of the top 10 or so in the sport so if he’s doing it a lot of others are as well.



x83fan
MyWebsite
September 04, 2018 at 03:52:40 PM
Joined: 01/15/2005
Posts: 141
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Reply to:
Posted By: alum.427 on September 03 2018 at 08:37:25 AM

Drivers bringing sponsorship dollars with them is really not anything new. It's not coming out of the drivers pocket, and he still is racing for a percentage of the winnings. Carson obviously has someone behind him with dollars and it's a win, win deal for all parties involved. 



for what it's worth, Carson is the grandson of Tom Tarlton, Tarlton & sons plastering, drywall, steel stud framing. probably one of the larger companies of its kind in the state. grandpa was a pretty good shoe back in the day as was his uncle Tommy. not sure however if a major portion of funding comes from there. i do know the Tarltons are pretty good people & very much a part of Carson's racing endeavors





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