It's a long road to the checkered flag. Endless turns on small tracks around the country, and countless hours tuning and testing. And the waiting and the wondering - what next?
The wrong tires, a clogged fuel line, a broken spark plug, an untimely bump from another car. Set backs.But then there are the successes. And those, says Jeff Hillock, are what drives drivers to continually reach for the trophy when the black and white flag drops.
In Hillock's case, it's the Winston circuit. NASCAR's equivalent to the NBA or NFL. Here the cars are fast, the tracks large and the money big. Those making the circuit are both good and lucky. Many times, just being good isn't enough.
In Hillock's case, says Guy Remick, owner/team manager of car No. 14, he's good. Now they're looking for a little of that luck.
Last year Hillock, driving an older Late Model car, two circuits down from the big-time Winston, consistently finished in the top five. This year, with a newer car, he won the first-ever NASCAR circuit at Suntana Raceway in Springville, and finished third in the higher Intermountain circuit.
In one month, Dec. 4, Hillock and Remick will travel to Tucson, to the Southwest Tour, to take the next step towards NASCAR's pro circuit. It will be the first time a Utah racer has made it to that level, and it will be a true test of Hillock's skill at the wheel and Remick's at turning wrenches. The race will be telecast live over TNN.
Hillock started his racing career 10 years ago. Since, he's driven everything local tracks would allow, from mini stocks to late model. In July, Remick purchased the newer-used car and a few nights later Hillock set a new track record on a race track in Twin Falls.
Obviously, a new car featuring the latest technology would cut seconds off Hillock's travel time on the track. But that, points out Remick, is where the luck comes in . . .
"In finding a sponsor, or sponsors. It cost a lot to run these days. Without a sponsor to help it's difficult, very difficult."
Just to race in the Intermountain Circuit, for example, cost about $400 a night to run. In some races the prize money, even first place, doesn't cover costs.
Then there's the engine. It looks much like any cleaned and buffed engine might, except this one costs in excess of $12,000.
And then there are tires. To keep costs down in the Intermountain Circuit, teams can buy but one tire a week.
"For the Tucson race," points out Remick, "there are no tire rules. We may go through three or four sets of tires for one weekend race. When you're looking at about $135 a tire, it starts to get expensive."
Why that many tires? Hillock says the right tire combination can cut a fraction of a second off lap time. "And when you figure a few hundredths of a second may separated the top three or four cars, three tenths of a second can mean the difference between first and last," he says.
This is not to say the two don't have sponsors. Their car is a billboard of logos. Some contribute equipment, others money.
One is Clarke Berntson, owner of Fireplaces Inc. Fireplaces? Auto racing?
"It's been fun," he says. "To follow them and see them do well. And, to know you had a little something to do with it. It's been worth it, and heaven knows, they need the help."
For now the Utah team is testing and tuning, and making ready for the big day in Tucson. And, with a little luck, who knows where the turns may lead.