All posts in Drivers

“Something About This Case Struck A Nerve”: Fans, their Favorite Driver, and an Unusual Charitable Auction

by Winner's Circle on March 17, 2012                                                        
magnolia4

Who donates money to a professional Sprint Car driver? Dozens of people, it turns out, when the driver is Jason Sides. Sides ran a non-sanctioned race last year while under contract with the World of Outlaws tour. According to Sides’ lawyer, John Deckard, Sides was subsequently denied about $40,000 in point fund money and other funds. He is now also embroiled in a lawsuit with the World Racing Group, the parent company  of the WOO. So far this year, Sides has not signed a contract with the Outlaws. However, he is running with the series, has competed in every race and is currently third in the points standings, only eight points away from the lead. He has not yet committed to running the entire series; his intention, his father, Larry Sides, says, is to run for the largest purses of any series, which the WOO has.

But over the winter he had to find a way to survive. His wife’s salary as a nurse doesn’t cover all the bills, and they’ve got an 8-year-old daughter as well. So Sides turned to his fans, who donated money and/or bid on his racing items in an auction he announced on his Facebook page.

Here at the Winner’s Circle, we wondered why, with so many different charitable causes out there in the world, people would want to give their hard-earned money to a 410 Sprint Car driver? In a moment, we’ll get to their answers. First, however, we contacted the WRG to see what it had to say about the conflict with Sides.

Tom Deery

Chief Operating Officer

World Racing Group

It’s a matter that’s in litigation. None of us can say much about it right now. (Our side of the story) is considerably different than what his is, but because it is in litigation, we are advised not to make those points right now. We felt we were well-advised (to do what we did in order to) maintain the value of the World of Outlaws and the contract the driver signed.

 

Now, on to the Sides’ donations….

 

John Deckard, Indianapolis, IN

General Counsel for Indiana and Michigan Caterpillar dealerships

Representing Jason Sides, pro bono

He doesn’t have to hire a lawyer. This is my donation. I don’t mind donating $50,000 to $100,000 worth of time to see that Jason Sides gets what he’s owed. Continue reading →

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Jesse Keen Likes Control

by Winner's Circle on February 21, 2012                                                        
Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, Central Pa., 410 Sprint Car, Jesse Keen, Tyler Walker

This week we’re continuing our two-part interview with Jesse Keen, a race car team owner who had so much to say we just couldn’t limit him to one post. Keen owns Keen Motorsports, LLC and is a co-owner of the family business, Keen Transport, Inc., which operates trucking facilities in seven states. Keen, who is company VP, works out of Keen Transport headquarters in Carlisle, PA.

This year, for the first time in a while, Keen’s team will stick close to home, only racing within a 200 mile radius of Keen’s home base in Central Pa. To do that, he’s got a new driver: Brian Leppo of New Oxford, Penn.

Keen Motorsports, Pennsylvania Posse, No. 17, Peterbilt, Sprint Car, 410You had drivers begging you to take them on. Why pick Brian Leppo?

I didn’t pick a driver. I picked a crew chief and driver that I thought would work well together. I can give them the best equipment in the world, but if the crew chief and the driver can’t work well together, we’re not going to win.

Brian and Steve Suchy, the crew chief, have both put in their dues, coming up through the ranks. Steve has been on the World of Outlaws circuit and Brian races with them a lot . But they chose to have fulltime jobs and race in Central Pa. Continue reading →

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