500 Sprint Car Tour Roundtable: Volume 6 - Tour Officials
500 Sprint Car Tour Roundtable: Volume 6 - 500 Sprint Car Tour Officials
Today’s Questions: What is your favorite part about working with the 500 Sprint Car Tour? Do you have a favorite memory that stands out to you?
Justin Carey - Tech Director
“My favorite part of working with the 500 Sprint Car Tour is working with all of the drivers and crew members. A lot of these teams I have known for many years on the competitor side of the sport. Making the transition to the officiating side was a little different at first. Now, I truly enjoy the officiating side. Building different relationships with different individuals on each team from the driver, to crew members, to the owners and partners has been a lot of fun. I look forward to going to the race track. The team we have within the 500 Sprint Car Tour organization is a great group of individuals that work hard, but also like to have fun while working.”
“My favorite Memory is working my first Little 500 in this capacity. I know all the work that goes in for the teams to prepare and run at the top level of the Little 500. Being on the competition side of the Little 500 and seeing the other part of the puzzle that makes this race happen gives a larger appreciation for the event.”
Brian Duncan - Race Director
“My favorite part of working for the series is all the great people I get to work with. All the drivers and race teams are easy to work with. I have a lot of respect for the time and resources they put into racing with us and helping make the series grow. I work with some of the best people in the business, from top to bottom. All the officials are willing to jump in and help each other out. I have to say, they are all hard working guys.
My favorite memory is getting to be the race director for the Little 500. Anderson is my home track. Growing up there and seeing many Little 500's, I would have never guessed that one day, I would get that opportunity. Many thanks to Rick and Jared to entrust me with such a great responsibility. With that, I can't leave out the help and knowledge that Justin brings to the series. With me coming from the stock car world, he has taught me to see things in a sprint car way. I am looking forward to helping the series grow each year.”
Scott Lamb - Tech Official
“I think my favorite part of working with the tour is the front row seat I get to racing. I work with cars day in and day out, and performance motors aren't anything new to me, but a few weekends out of the year my job turns into dealing with purpose built race cars ready to push the limits. From the time the gates open and the work begins it still just feels like a day at the track, there's responsibilities and things to get done but at the end of all that I get a, usually, track side seat to watch the green drop and the battle begin. That's where the experience begins, but I think the memories start when the gates open.”
Jared Owen - Series Director
“My favorite part has been getting to know the crews, drivers, sponsors, media members, and track officials. The people of the sport are what make it for me. Each and every person comes from different backgrounds and all have different goals. Those goals may be just trying to finish the feature or could be winning the race. My favorite memories in my time with the Sprint Car Tour are when I get to see people achieve their goals.”
Doug Owen - Tech Official
“Having been a “car” guy for 60 years, I’ve always been intrigued more by the engine and the chassis than by driving. I really enjoy looking at the innovation the teams bring to the track. Working with the different crews and especially the crew chiefs is special to me. I like to know the how and whys of what the teams are doing. Having worked for an engine builder who specialized in late model and sprint car engines gives me the background to ask intelligent questions.”
“My favorite memories come from spending time with drivers, crew chiefs and the other 500 Sprint Car officials, talking and solving issues. I especially enjoyed watching the series grow from the days of infancy.”
Robert Tower - Pit Steward
“I have enjoyed meeting and working with the teams. As an official, it has been a welcome opportunity to make sure everyone is on a level playing field and racing safely.”
“The memory that stands out the most to me is the inaugural race at Plymouth Speedway. Seeing the drivers and teams, along with the officials, embrace the series and working together to make it a success was very rewarding.”
