The revving of the engines, the cheers of the fans and the wave of the flag all trigger the ignition in the minds of dirt track racers. The initial press on the gas pumps the adrenaline through Taylor Blevins’s and Danton Odell’s veins. As the cars speed into the challenge, the two drivers begin their dash for cash.
Races occur at Route 66 Motor Speedway off the loop, usually around 6:00 p.m.
Taylor drives the number 4 car, a 1976 Monte Carlo that was gutted and rebuilt to its present racing form. His father, Scott, and brother, Ty, pit for him. Taylor and Ty’s opponents include their friends, Danton and Dylan Odell. Danton Odell drives the number 9 car, a 1975 Chevy Malibu reconstructed for racing. Danton’s pit crew includes his dad, Dan Odell his brother Dylan, and Chase Browne.
By 6:00 p.m., the stands teem with energy.
“My favorite thing about racing is the excitement and the noise,” Taylor said.
All three sections of Motor Speedway fill with excitement and noise, from the pits, to the track, to the stands. Drivers say they are careful and control their excitement to avoid risking a wreck.
“One time a driver in front of me blew an engine,” Taylor said. “I turned to avoid colliding but I wasn’t able to get around him. The whole right side of my car was ruined.”
The racers said drivers would not last very long without a pit crew.
“My favorite thing to do in the pits is working on the tires,” Ty said.
In the pits drivers have to torque the wheels, switch tires, refuel, scrape mud from underneath the car and anything else that needs the slightest adjustment.
“The hardest thing about pitting is the overall setup of the car and making sure that the tire pressure is right,” Dylan said.
With all of the wildness of the event, there are still a few rules. The track officials forbid NOS hookups, custom fuel injections and other unfair add-ons.
“The main rules are the model of your car has to be between 1960s to 1980s and no imports,” Dylan said.
The racers said the costs of racing are expensive because the fuel made for racing is more expensive than regular gasoline.
“It’s about $8 a gallon, and body work does not cost a lot because to fix dents or damage you just bang it back out with a hammer,” Danton said.
Taylor and Danton said they agree that there is not a lot for practice or preparation other than experience.
“The main thing you can do for practice is learn from your mistakes of past races,” Danton said.
Taylor Blevins is a third generation racer in his family. It started with his grandfather, Howard Blevins, and since then, the racing blood has flowed through the family.
Taylor Blevins took first place for the second time in his racing career Saturday, Sep. 19, earning $175.
“Winning first place made me feel proud because I can continue my family’s winning tradition,” Taylor said.
