Sprint car racing: a family passion
Carol Brimm
Tom McAlister got involved in Sprint car racing 30 years ago. McAlister, who retired last year after 25 years at the FAA as a computer specialist in Aviation Safety Systems, built his first car with his brother in 1974 and a friend, Gary Frizzell, drove for them. Now McAlister’s son, Kerry, is the driver and this year for the first time they have two cars.
“I was never a good driver,” said Tom, “but I loved racing, loved the atmosphere and it’s a good way to keep the family together.”
Kerry grew up at the track with his dad and drove in his first race the weekend he turned sixteen. Now 28, he has been racing Sprint cars for 12 years. Over the course of his career, Kerry has won between 10 and 15 A-Feature victories, which is the main race at the end of the night.
The McAlisters race their Sprint Car on Friday nights at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds and sometimes race in Muskogee or Devil’s Bowl, Texas on Sat. night in the ASCA Touring Division. The McAlisters have raced in Okla., Texas, Kan., Colo., Iowa, Ark., Mo., and Nebraska. They just won the weekly show at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds on April 14, according to Kerry, the second show of the season which runs from March through Sept. or Oct.
“Eighty miles an hour doesn’t sound spectacular,” said Kerry, “but when you’re in the car it feels like 200.”
According to Kerry, winners get a trophy, season points based on all finishes and an average of $1000 for local races and $1,500 to $3000 for a win at an ASCS or NCRA race. Entry fees are $100 to $125 to start a local A-Feature race, says Kerry and other costs are entry fees and pit passes. A car typically costs from $8,000 to $12,000 and to be competitive the minimum cost of a motor is $15,000. The McAlisters built their cars themselves, but say motors are so high tech and competition is so strong that it pays to have someone else build the motor.
The McAlisters' friends, Jimmy, Steve, Austin, Phil, Matt, and Jen Howell, Kerry’s girlfriend, all volunteer on the pit crew and Tom says the biggest expenses during the season are the oil, tires and fuel.
“The back tires cost about $600 and will only last two or three races and we use 15 to 20 gallons of methanol a night. We also have to keep spare parts on hand in case the car crashes,” Tom said.
With these kinds of expenses, racers need sponsors. The McAlisters are sponsored by Victory Lane Graphics and Screen Printing, Rick’s Lawn and Hearth, and J&D Development Enterprises, but Tom still funds most of the expenses himself. He says sponsoring a Sprint car is a great way to advertise because the car travels all over the United States and is “a lot more entertaining than a bill board”. Many sponsors, according to McAlister, sit the cars out front to draw attention to the business.
“Sponsorship is also a great tax write off,” said Kerry “because you don’t make any money in this sport, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Anyone wanting more information can call the McAlisters at 376-5954.
Carol Brimm
Tom McAlister got involved in Sprint car racing 30 years ago. McAlister, who retired last year after 25 years at the FAA as a computer specialist in Aviation Safety Systems, built his first car with his brother in 1974 and a friend, Gary Frizzell, drove for them. Now McAlister’s son, Kerry, is the driver and this year for the first time they have two cars.
“I was never a good driver,” said Tom, “but I loved racing, loved the atmosphere and it’s a good way to keep the family together.”
Kerry grew up at the track with his dad and drove in his first race the weekend he turned sixteen. Now 28, he has been racing Sprint cars for 12 years. Over the course of his career, Kerry has won between 10 and 15 A-Feature victories, which is the main race at the end of the night.
The McAlisters race their Sprint Car on Friday nights at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds and sometimes race in Muskogee or Devil’s Bowl, Texas on Sat. night in the ASCA Touring Division. The McAlisters have raced in Okla., Texas, Kan., Colo., Iowa, Ark., Mo., and Nebraska. They just won the weekly show at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds on April 14, according to Kerry, the second show of the season which runs from March through Sept. or Oct.
“Eighty miles an hour doesn’t sound spectacular,” said Kerry, “but when you’re in the car it feels like 200.”
According to Kerry, winners get a trophy, season points based on all finishes and an average of $1000 for local races and $1,500 to $3000 for a win at an ASCS or NCRA race. Entry fees are $100 to $125 to start a local A-Feature race, says Kerry and other costs are entry fees and pit passes. A car typically costs from $8,000 to $12,000 and to be competitive the minimum cost of a motor is $15,000. The McAlisters built their cars themselves, but say motors are so high tech and competition is so strong that it pays to have someone else build the motor.
The McAlisters' friends, Jimmy, Steve, Austin, Phil, Matt, and Jen Howell, Kerry’s girlfriend, all volunteer on the pit crew and Tom says the biggest expenses during the season are the oil, tires and fuel.
“The back tires cost about $600 and will only last two or three races and we use 15 to 20 gallons of methanol a night. We also have to keep spare parts on hand in case the car crashes,” Tom said.
With these kinds of expenses, racers need sponsors. The McAlisters are sponsored by Victory Lane Graphics and Screen Printing, Rick’s Lawn and Hearth, and J&D Development Enterprises, but Tom still funds most of the expenses himself. He says sponsoring a Sprint car is a great way to advertise because the car travels all over the United States and is “a lot more entertaining than a bill board”. Many sponsors, according to McAlister, sit the cars out front to draw attention to the business.
“Sponsorship is also a great tax write off,” said Kerry “because you don’t make any money in this sport, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Anyone wanting more information can call the McAlisters at 376-5954.
1 comments
Thank God for those who love to race. I throughly love to watch although I have no aotitude to drive or work on cars...or sadly money to sponser!....Its just a thrill for me and all I can offer is my prayers. And that I will do. Take care and race safe.
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