Category Archives: Dirt Track Racing

For Sather, It’s Mind Over Matter

Posted on July 25, 2012 | 2 Comments

Natalie Sather via NatalieSather.com

Different from other sports, NASCAR requires all its ‘players’ to be mentally strong. This is because racing stresses the mind and the body. A stable mentality also helps when coming back from injuries and bad finishes.

Natalie Sather is an example of mental toughness. After breaking her leg in 3 places and a broken wrist, she has never given up. At a young age, she began racing go-karts and immediately proved her talent, winning multiple championships. She jumped up to Sprint cars, following in the footsteps of World of Outlaws champ Donny Schatz.

The fact that she is a woman in a man’s sport is another reason why she keeps going. With The Drive For Diversity calling her in 2009, she has made sure that her talent is the first thing people notice. Though Natalie does enjoy baking and reading the Twilight Saga.

Her mentality was something that interested me, so I interviewed the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series driver about her background, dirt racing, and overcoming challenges.

1. Can you tell us how you started racing?

Growing up in Fargo, ND, I liked going to our local sprint car race track Red River Valley Speedway. Growing up watching World of Outlaw Champion Donny Schatz, I always said that one day I would race against him. At nine years old, after lots of convincing, my parents finally bought me a go-kart. We started racing at our local go-kart track and continued to move up and travel over the next few years. Winning multiple races, Track Championships, State Championships, and I became the first girl to win a International Karting Federation Grand National Championship on Asphalt. The following year, I moved up to a sprint car and went back to the track where I would watch Donny Schatz. After only 3 races, I was involved in a bad accident that broke my leg in 3 places. I had to have surgery placing a rod and 3 screws in my leg. I was told that I would not be racing that year. Despite Dr’s orders, after lots of physical therapy and hard work, I was back in my sprint car 4 months later. It was very hard to get back into a race car, but I knew that’s what I wanted to do, and wasn’t giving up. The following season I kept on pursuing my dream and moved to Oklahoma to race with the American Sprint Car Series. Kenny Woodruff would be the man guiding me through my sprint car years. We raced together successfully for 5 years. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program came calling in 2009, the only thing I had ever driven on asphalt was a go-kart back when I was 17. I flew down to Finish Line Racing School in Florida where I had a 3 day test session before flying to South Boston, VA to try out for the biggest opportunity at the time in my career. I was very nervous, after a weekend of testing and showing the skills I had to drive a race car in front of some of the best in the business in VA I was selected by a team out of Monroe, Washington. I packed by bags and moved across the country, I raced there for a season then again moved across the country to race in Virginia for the following 2 seasons. Now I am currently racing in the Camping World Truck Series.

2. Despite the obstacles you’ve been through [ i.e., your wrist injury at South Boston Speedway in 2010], you still have a passion to get to the top level of NASCAR. Why is that? How do you deal with adversities, and how do you attempt to cope with them off the track?

I have faced many obstacles in my career some physical like breaking my leg in 3 places, having a rod and 3 screws, requiring 7 surgeries throughout the years, and then breaking my wrist, also requiring surgery putting a screw in. Then there are the obstacles that you can’t necessarily see. I have had my fair share of critics, people who put me down, told me that I didn’t belong in racing, I belonged in a kitchen which my reply was I can bake a delicious chocolate chip cookie and drive a race car. I have had an amazing support system my family and friends have always encouraged me to keep pursuing my dreams. I have a motto Never, ever give up!

3. What skills have you gained while racing on dirt tracks that have helped you become a stock car talent?

Growing up racing on dirt has helped me tremendously with driving on asphalt. Throttle control from racing on dry slick dirt tracks, being able to as they would say “drive by the seat of your pants”, have all played an important part. I am able to really keep my car controlled and if it does start to get sideways I am able to catch it due to my dirt background.

4. What are your racing superstitions, and do you have any pre-race rituals?

I always pray before I race. I have a lucky piggie that is always in my car with me. Also a very kind note that is taped that I read before I go out for every race. I do some yoga stretches and try to relax/focus as much as I can before climbing into my race vehicle.

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Posted in Dirt Track Racing, Interviews, NASCAR

Emma Blaney’s Inside View

Posted on June 24, 2012 | 4 Comments

Many people know the last name Blaney. It’s synonymous with dirt racing, talent, and speed. Dave Blaney drives the #36 for Tommy Baldwin in the Cup series, and his brother Dale is making it happen on dirt tracks. The latest addition to this racing trifecta is 18-year-old Ryan Blaney, who runs in the K&N Pro series and making waves during a few Nationwide Series starts.

Emma Blaney doesn’t race anymore, but she is still involved in the racing scene. The girlfriend of another K&N driver, Cale Conley, Emma plays the role of the silly one, showing everyone how normal their family really is. She tells me about her past racing career, watching her little brother grow up, and her infatuation with one Kasey Kahne.

1. Not many people know that you use to race. At what age did you start racing, and what did you wheel?

I started in quarter midgets when I was about 10. Bobby Labonte’s QM track opened up and it was real close to our house so my dad put my brother and I each in a quarter midget. I ran them until I was 16 (I suddenly got real tall and couldn’t really even fit into them anymore) and then let Ryan have all the glory. Those were some of the best years of my life, I swear. Got to travel so much and made so many close friends. I even met Cale through QM’s. In 2007, we raced up in Indy and Ohio and we spent about a month racing up there. I hated Cale for that whole month. I even beat him in one race we were both in.

2. When and why did you decide that racing wasn’t what you wanted to do as a career?

Well I turned 16 and got super tall. I was really into sports my whole life, racing was always just a fun thing for me. I played basketball and volleyball year round and so I had to choose what I wanted to do. I didn’t think I would be good at anything other than a little quarter midget, and I was right. Dad put me in a Bandolero twice, and I sucked terribly. So I went my way with sports, and I let Ryan take over the racing career. ;)

3. Your younger brother Ryan is starting to cause a stir on the Nationwide side. Is it weird to see him cope with the pressure that comes with that series?

It is a little weird. I guess I still see him as my tiny, wimpy brother with a big gap between his front teeth. But I think he is handling things pretty well for being 18. I think the biggest thing that has helped him is my dad. He has been through it all and he has always taught us, and especially Ryan, about how to handle this career. Ryan has 4 more Nationwide races this year and I have a ton of faith that he will do just fine. He has big dreams and won’t stop going after them, and we all support that. What’s weird is that the pressure and attention is on Ryan when he races. Our family is use to the Sunday afternoon NASCAR races, media, pressure and all that, but with my dad. And now, it is all about Ryan. But the real question is, when is it going to be all about me!? (just kidding :) )

4. How do you feel about Ryan having a girl fan base? Have you given him any tips to charm the ladies?

Haha, the girl fan base… Well it’s interesting. I’ll admit, he is a cute little thing, but my mom has always told him “Girls or racecars, choose.” You know a lot of girls usually think that I am his girlfriend, which I find completely offensive. I mean, come on. But I don’t really give him too many tips! I tell him to stay away from girls right now, and focus on his racing. Racing is your girlfriend, Ryan!

5. Ryan also races against your boyfriend, Cale Conley, in the K&N races. Is it hard to deal with that extra anxiety?

Yes the extra anxiety SUCKS. I highly recommend no girls have a boyfriend who races in the same series as your brother, it’s so stressful! But I honestly would not change it for the world. I love having both of them there, it’s exciting. My nerves go a little crazy though. They always joke about what if they were coming to the checkered 1 & 2 and one of them wrecked the other. I don’t find it so funny. But Cale has actually been racing with my family for awhile. Cale started out in sprint cars and raced them for 2 or 3 years and he raced against my Uncle Dale almost every week. In 2010, Cale, my Uncle and Dad were all in the Kings Royal up at Eldora, and also the 3 of them were racing the Knoxville Nationals too. So I have been through this for awhile now! I’m a pro.

6. Your whole family has been successful at many different levels of racing. How does the family deal with all the media attention that comes with it?

I get asked this question a lot, and I always try to think of a really cool answer for it, but I never can think of a good one. We aren’t any different from any other family. People seem to think that we have this great life and we really don’t. Yes, we are very blessed to be where we are, but there are flaws and hardships that come with this lifestyle. My family is not anything like the Gordons, or Johnsons, we don’t get that kind of attention but my siblings and I were always taught that “This is just what we do, this is just what our family does for a living, and this is what makes us stick together as a family.” I feel like my job in my family is to just show people how normal and silly we are, and show that we are personable people and aren’t anything to special. That’s why I enjoy Twitter, or Facebook or any social media so much.

7. Your uncle Dale also races. Between him, your dad, and Ryan, who’s the best driver?

I think I would get punched for answering this question! But they are all incredible. I think they are very similar in their driving techniques but they each bring something a little different to the table. They learn a lot from each other and that’s what I think is really cool about having an entire family that races.

8. I understand that you have a ‘small’ crush on Kasey Kahne. What is your favorite quality about Kasey?

Haha! Ohhhh Kasey. I do have a little crush, yes! And I am pretty sure he knows it, which is so awkward. I don’t know what it is about him, I just think he is beautiful. Not sure how my dad really feels about it…

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Posted in Dirt Track Racing, Interviews

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It’s The Dirt That Gets Me

Posted on June 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

If I had to chose between watching a NASCAR race or going to a dirt track, NASCAR would be highly disappointed. Trust me, I try to avoid that choice at all costs, but it’s the truth; I would watch Sprints and Late Models over Stock cars in a heartbeat.

It’s not that my love of NASCAR is waning. That will never happen.

There is nothing I love more than a good old dirt track experience. Walking through the pit area, losing your hearing, meeting new people, waking up with dirt in your nose. It’s the best thing in the world, especially at my local dirt track, Attica Raceway Park. Famous for Attica Ambush, the track is 1/3 of a mile and clay. When you stand on top of the stands before the activities begin, it’s like peeking at a gift before it’s wrapped.

People always told me, “Once you’ve seen dirt racing, you’re hooked.” I didn’t understand why they would tell me that; there couldn’t be much of a difference, right? When my parents and I entered the gates for the first time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Trailers were set up down the paved walkway, offering T-shirts, DVDs of races, and bumper sticks with phrases like “Eat My Dust” and “Dirt Tracking or Bust.” The greasy scent of Fair food came through, from hot dogs to deep fried Oreos. It was already loud from fans yelling and chanting, and Quick Times hadn’t even started yet. So much enthusiasm just for being at the track was a great sign for my first World of Outlaws race.

For thirty more bucks, you get to explore the pit area, where my eyes were opened wide. You could feel the determination and hope in the air, making chills slither down my spine. By a little hut, a line was formed by guys with fire suits tied out their hips, signing up for the events. They were trying to contain it, but young drivers were vibrating out of their shoes, excitement mixing with nerves. All they ever wanted was this chance, and it was a reality then. Going up to the machines, I realized how technical and confusing they were. The most shocking thing was that some of the drivers had to work on their rides by themselves. No fancy-shmancy pit crews or car chiefs, just the knowledge they gained from their fathers and two hardworking hands. It’s a flashback to those Good Old Days my grandfather tells me about, before NASCAR went ‘flashy,’ as he calls it. Even if I’m young, I appreciate the old fashion way of doing things. Seeing sweat slip down the driver’s forehead as he made adjustments asserted his dedication to the sport. That brought a smile to my face.

After some of that fattening Fair food, my parents and I sat down for the Heat Races. At this point, I couldn’t sit still. The bleachers were rumbling with anticipation, and this wasn’t even the Main.

The green flag fell, and it was a epic fight for position, a shot into the Big Show. Dust entered the air and my nose, but I didn’t think twice about it; the racing had captured my full attention, my eyes lost in the endless, action-packed laps. This is when I decided that the Sprints were my favorite. Sure, the Late Models were awesome, but it was too much sheet metal for me. The drivers of Sprints have to be pretty dang tough to slide around with a small roll cage the only barrier between the ground flying beneath you.

When I was a little girl, I saw a Sprint car up close and told my dad I wanted to drive one. “I want to go fast,” was my only argument to him telling me no. I guess it was in my blood from the beginning. Watching the death traps glide around like skaters on smoothed ice, I realized it was the right thing to not pursue that dream. I would’ve cry during the pace laps, no doubt. Not badass enough.

Each make went through their Heat Races, and the C and B-Mains went, so it was time for The Big One. Not that large wreck at Talladega and Daytona people assume will happen. No, it’s the A-Main. The best of the best dueling for the top prizes, glory and cash. This was the World of Outlaws, the toughest racing on dirt. It definitely lived up to it; on the second lap, a car went out of the track. Three laps later, three Sprints got together. That’s how it was for the entire feature. The carnage didn’t appeal to me, however, it was ability of these mad men. Coming off the high side with so much speed, yet keeping it under control in the middle of a dust storm.

The bad part was the fact that we had to leave. My legs were aching from walking around all over the place, and there was no way I could breathe. We managed to dodge traffic and get on the road by midnight. Glancing out my window, the dust was still lingering, a broken up vortex of dirt and victory.

A smile slipped into place. I was hooked, like everyone told me I would become. The dirt is what got me. It’s synonymous with country, a Tough As Nails demeanor, simplicity. Getting away from the large microscope that NASCAR is under, going to that dirt track you’ve need even glanced at before.

That’s where the best racing takes place. Everything else can eat my dust.

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Posted in Dirt Track Racing