DRIVER DEVELOPMENT

By Scott Owen
Driver Development has become a popular catch phrase among NASCAR’s elite teams. Every owner is looking for the next Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, or Danica Patrick. At the short track level, the term “driver development” is also tossed around quite frequently though not necessarily in the same way. In the world of dirt track racing “driver development” can be as simple as a driver gaining valuable seat time and learning his or her way around the track.
Many of the top guns on the track got their start racing in go karts. Drivers such as Justin Ritchie, Justin Hirt, Cody Grosskreutz, Greg Gutt, Dan Michonski, Nate Michonski, and Adam Clark, were part of a graduating class that gained valuable experience in the early days of go kart racing in the area. More recently an even greater influx of talent has graduated from the go kart ranks to the area dirt tracks. Brett Swedberg, Johnny Whitman, Joe Reuter, Marcus Yarie, Kyle Lentz and many more racers were among a group of go karters that proved they could race and win all over the country.
Tracks such as Hi Go Raceway, USA International Raceway, and the GSR Kartway have become the place to see the future of racing talent. Aaron Milavitz, a rookie this season in the IMCA Modified ranks, is a perfect example of “driver development”. Aaron began racing on the dirt at GSR and Hi Go, then expanded his racing experience to pavement racing, competing in the prestigious Snap-On Stars of Karting circuit. Though only two weeks into year one behind the wheel of a mod, he has shown the ability to race competitively and not back down from the competition.
Go karting is not the only way to develop the required skills to competitively race. Ice racing in the area is also hotly contested. Winter tracks in Cecil, Tilleda, and Caroline are another great way to learn. IMCA Sport Mod rookie, Cody Hudson, is one of the current racers that spent the winter racing on the ice. In past winters drivers such as Tom Naeyaert, Chuck Buckbee, Clint Forstner, Dan and Nate Michonski, and Mike Asenbrener could be found terrorizing the competition on the area ice ovals.
What does all this “driver development” mean for racing in the area? Without a doubt it means that the future of racing looks very bright. Today’s rookie drivers are much better prepared for racing combat than many were in the past. Current go karters like Hunter Parsons, Cole Daebler, Kyle Raddant, and Jordan Bartz are just a few of the names to watch as they work their way up the racing ladder. “Driver development” is alive and well in the area, and we as fans are the beneficiaries.