Over the past few years sprint car racing in Northern Nevada has been an up and down affair. Well this year things are very different with a new series due to promoter Nick Purdy.
“My inspiration was primarily growing up in the Bay Area and being at San Jose Speedway, “ said. “I grew up watching Brent Kaeding, Ronny Dan and I had a big influence in that track. Ran a lot of quarter midgets but that went away after I got into high school.”
Purdy never got over the racing bug and wanted to get back into completion but he took a slightly round about way to reach his goal.
“Always wanted to get back to sprint cars so we ended up moving up to Reno. Did a lot of drag racing but it didn’t really cut it for me as I really wanted to get back to circle tracks, specifically sprints,” he said. “I started forming relationships and meeting others like the Walters and I was like ‘wow, sounds like we could get a series going.’”
He also became aware of hard feelings in the sprint car community. So he knew there would be a lot to overcome if a new series was to be formed. With that in mind he rolled up his sleeves and went to work.
“It took a lot, like forming relationships, smoothing over things and trying to work with different people,” he said. “I was calling all the teams in the area and asking, ‘hey can you give up this and work with me on this.’”
The goal was a rule package that worked for everyone. His efforts were met with success and now there is the Modern Concrete Winged Sprint Car Tour.
“This is our first year and we had Modern Concrete and Kimball Equipment jump on line with us. They’re really the ones that gave us the opportunity to start with payouts. Then I could get drivers to come to the track and it even helps with the right rear, fuel or what ever it might take.”
Purdy’s goal was achieved for this initial season.
“I wanted to get something going her for our first year. We had up to 12 cars and we’re having fun,” he said. “That’s why we’re out here. We’re not out her to be stressed out, want drivers and everyone to have fun. It’s our vacation.”
Finding both sponsors for the series was critical to getting things going but finding them was a challenge for Purdy.
“Bob Massey is up in Elko and I was connected to him by Wade Taylor. He was like ‘hey give Bob Massey a call’. I was a little apprehensive at first and ended up making the call,” he said. “Called him and immediately hit off, he’s a great guy and works with Modern Concrete so we had an in there.”
From that Purdy met with Modern Concrete’s owner Scott and his wife Stephanie.
“They got us connected with Kimble Equipment in Reno and those two companies helped us tremendously this year. I believe they are going to help us going into 2024.”
Now that the 2023 season has ended Purdy is taking stock of what transpired and looking ahead toward next year. First he’s going to sit down and talk with the drivers and he feels the rules package will stay the same except for one area.
“We’re going to introduce the LM package, the 5.3 Liter motor as I don’t want to use the LS based motors because that opens a whole bunch of problems,” he said. “So it’s 5.3 Liter truck based motors, going to be heavily teched, something people can have access to and you can pull motors. Other than that I think most of the rules are going to stay the same.”
Next year will probably bring some schedule changes and add a couple more tracks.
“I think we’re to going to jump on board with Quincy and I want to work more with Winnemucca and Lovelock,” he said. “So the schedule might change a little bit and I think we might do less two-day shows, more one-day shows.”
Another item he’s looking at is enlarging the payouts.
“We might pay down the field more as I just don’t want to focus on the top four because the guy that finishes dead last to me is just as important as the guy that wins. The car count really helps and that’s what brings fans to the races. That’s the plan, hope to get to Quincy next year and support more of the tracks.”
Now that Purdy has competed the first season he’s optimistic about where the series is going. And because of his efforts and the other drivers getting on board Sprint Car racing has returned to Northern Nevada.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Sunday was the Jeep Fiesta at Idlewild Park in Reno. There were many jeeps of all types including a WW II vintage Army Ambulance.
In addition the Nevada Four Wheel Drive Association had a booth there as did the Hills Angels 4X4 Club. One booth was for the 775 Offroad & Recovery group that helps rescue people stranded off the highway. For further information please check out www.775ofr.com.
• On Sunday Reno Cars & Coffee held it’s second meet of the month by the Human Bean Coffee stand located close to the corner of Moana and Keitzke Lanes.
In addition to a Mustang Row there were also several cars with hoods up. It was time to inspect and enjoy motors.
• As usual Iron Mafia will have another meet starting at 7 a.m. Thursday morning. Location is Kim’s Donuts and Tea House at 1328 U.S. 395 North in Gardnerville.
• Unless the weather is bad there is another cruise and that is called Friday Night Fernley. Meeting place is the 76th station so should be a nice way to end the workweek.
• Daveys American Racing is on Face Book, usually several times a week. He covers national series as well as racing in the western United States and his focus is on oval tracks.
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