BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — Racers always start the season with a big smile on their faces. Their equipment is fresh, sponsors are excited and countless feature wins await. Everyone is, potentially, a multiple winner.
But by the chock-full-of-racing July 4 weekend, reality has set in for most. Only a few have won races, the same “big names” are dominating the high-dollar events and the expenses have far overshadowed racing income.
In the Northeast, the sportsman division has become, for many, the opportunity to race without teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. The cars look just like the big-block modifieds and in many cases are nearly interchangeable with the exception of the powerplant. These cars use $7,000 crate engines instead of $60,000 big blocks.
The downside? Purses are what the headliners got decades ago, but then again, sportsman teams race for fun while those trying to make a living racing are in the modifieds.
Tim Hartman, a division star for many years before turning his seat over to son Tim Jr., offers an interesting perspective on his son’s dominant team.
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