Culture :: Alex Gurney Talks Race Car Driving
A few weeks ago I was speaking to one of the moms at my daughter’s school. We were talking about an Instagram picture (see above) I took of a car I came across at a local golf course called the Shelby Cobra and I told her it was one of those cars you can see yourself driving along the cliffs with your scarf blowing in the wind. Yes, I have an active imagination. Her reply was “I don’t know if I told you, but my husband is a race-car driver.” WHAT?! Was my reply – I mean how cool is that and definitely not something you hear every day! That got me thinking about how interesting it is to learn about cultures within our culture – such as the race car driving industry as a whole as well as what type of personality becomes a race car driver! Definitely someone who loves living life to its fullest! I had a chance to speak to her husband, Alex Gurney, son of the famed Dan Gurney who raced alongside Carroll Shelby (the gentleman who designed the Shelby Cobra) about the industry and what drew him to become a race car driver. First, a little history of race car driving as I know I needed a quick history lesson!
History of Race Car Driving:
Race car driving was established over 120 years in the late 1800s in France. It was there that the first-ever organized races were held, often between cities, which would eventually develop into the many different types of car racing we know today. Motoring events began soon after the construction of the first successful gasoline-fueled automobiles. The first organized contest was on April 28, 1887 by the chief editor of Paris publication Le Vélocipède, Monsieur Fossier.
In the states, racing started to become popular at the turn of the 19th century. The Milwaukee Mile is the 2nd oldest motor racing track in the world, with racing being held there since 1903. Apparently, it was started as a one-mile horse racing track.
Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa is the oldest racing venue, and one of the most prestigious, in the United States. It was built in the late 1800s at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Iowa. It was built for a horse racing track, such as the Milwaukee Mile. Although sanctioned races weren’t held until 1914, one automobile race was held in 1901.
After the Second World War, sports car racing emerged as a distinct form of racing with its own classic races, and, from 1953, its own FIA sanctioned World Championship. NASCAR‘s Strictly Stock Division was renamed the “Grand National” division beginning in the 1950 season. Over a period of more than a decade, modifications for both safety and performance were allowed, and by the mid-1960s, the vehicles were purpose-built race cars with a stock-appearing body. The first NASCAR competition held outside of the U.S. was in Canada, where on July 1, 1952, Buddy Shuman won a 200-lap race on a half-mile (800 m) dirt track in Stamford Park, Ontario, near Niagara Falls. (Source: Wikipedia.com).
Racing Today:
Race cars have developed alongside the auto industry to produce faster, safer and innovative
vehicles to keep us entertained on a regular basis. And entertained is right! Some key facts: 1 in 3 U.S. adults, or 75 million people, and countless kids are NASCAR fans. Roughly 40% of fans are women. The sport has become the No. 1 spectator sport, and 17 of the top 20 most attended sporting events in the United States are NASCAR events. The sport is broadcast in 150 countries, and it is the second-most-watched sport on TV (after the NFL). NASCAR’s current eight-year TV deal began in 2007 and is worth $4.5 billion, or $560 million per year. The largest NASCAR tracks can accommodate upwards of 190,000 people in the stands and infield, far larger than any non-motorsport venue in North America. NFL stadiums, by contrast, hold on average 60-80,000 people. (Source: Forbes.com). That is a lot of people who watch this exciting sport!
Alex Gurney:
Alex Gurney is the youngest son of American racing legend, Dan Gurney. Alex has become a champion in his own right, twice winning the Rolex Sports Car series Daytona Prototype championship, having amassed 16 wins in the premiere sportscar category driving for the popular Gainsco Bob Stallings racing team. He spoke to us about what drew him to racing cars and even racing alongside Danica Patrick.
What was the turning point for you when you decided that you wanted to race cars professionally?
I was finishing up at the University of Colorado in Boulder but had not found any career path that interested me as much as racing. After many, many years of being on the sidelines as a racing spectator, I had fallen in love with the sport. In my junior and senior years, I was doing some karting at a local track there and also started entering a few local SCCA events where I won some races in a Dodge Neon. By the time I graduated, I was completely hooked and motivated to go for a career as a professional driver. I entered formula car racing through the Skip Barber racing school right after I graduated and won my first 7 races in a row. That convinced my parents that I could maybe do this for real!
What has been one of your more memorable races?
I think my first big professional win in sportscar racing in 2007 in Mexico City was the most memorable so far. I was in my second full season of top level sportscar racing and was starting to wonder if I’d ever win! I had a great battle with an Italian driver named Max Papis that went right down to the last few laps of the race. It was a very emotional moment for everyone on my team as well.
Have you had a chance to race against Danica Patrick? And what changes have you seen in the industry since your father raced?
I first met Danica back in 2000-2001 or so and I’d say she’s a friend. I once competed in a shootout for a specific ride where we were 2 of 8 people competing for 1 slot on a Toyota Atlantic team for 2002. (I won that one, sorry Danica!) I’ve also competed against her in the Rolex 24 Hour race at Daytona several times. She is a tough and impressive driver. Not many people can say they’ve led both the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500. Having done a few ovals myself in Toyota Atlantic, I can tell you they are not for the faint of heart. She is very brave!
As far as changes in the industry, there have been many but the dramatic increase in safety is probably the most significant. There have been huge improvements to helmet design, neck restraints, fireproofing. The circuits themselves have been massively improved to allow for better runoff area in the case of a car going off the track as well as things like soft walls. The cars themselves have become orders of magnitude safer with fuel cells that won’t rupture as well as extensive use of carbon fiber and other materials that end up making a cocoon around the driver to better protect them in the event of an accident.
Any news you want to share with dandelion moms?
I am currently nearing the middle of the 2013 Rolex sportscar series season and sit 2nd in the points at the moment with 8 races remaining. You can follow me on twitter @agurney99 or at gainscoracing.com or alexgurney.com.
I also had a chance to speak to Alex wife, Colleen.
One thing I love about Alex being a race car driver, is that the race team becomes a second family. All of the mechanics, drivers, owners, sponsors, PR managers are incredibly down to earth, hard working, and passionate people. There is a type of camaraderie that develops over the years as you work together, celebrating the victories and shaking off the losses. I am constantly in awe of the optimism everyone always has for the next race…no one is ever defeated. You lose one, you are up and ready for the next. It is unique to racing and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it. I have also developed great friendships with the wives on the team. They are amazing women- strong, kind-hearted, easy-going, supportive women. I used to go to many more races than I do now so I see less of the team. But my two daughters and I watch Alex race on TV from the couch, cheering him on. I will text or communicate through Facebook with friends & family sharing our excitement or frustration. And at the end of the weekend, whether the team places first or tenth, we are always excited to see Alex come home safe and sound!
Are you a fan of race car driving? Or ever attended an event?
Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveodland/2012/02/27/nascars-back/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_racing
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia.com and www.alexgurney.com
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Melissa
Melissa Northway, M.S. is a mom, founder of dandelion moms, and a children’s book author. Her award-winning book Penelope the Purple Pirate was inspired by her little tomboy. Penelope is a modern-day Pippi Longstocking who teaches girls and boys the importance of having fun while at the same time teaching them to be kind and respectful of others and their differences. Dandelion moms was created for moms to share their stories and to inspire and be inspired! You can reach Melissa at: info@dandelionmoms.com and follow her @melissanorthway and @dandelionmoms. Check out her author web site at: www.melissanorthway.com, as she hands out loads of goodies from the treasure chest.
2 Comments
Andy Jordan
What a great story Melissa. I’ve read many interviews with AG over the 8 seasons he has raced for us here at GAINSCO. Honestly, yours is one of the most thoughtful I’ve ever read. Alex and Colleen are great people and devoted parents; and I can tell you that he and his co-driver Jon are constantly showing us pictures and videos of their kids while we are at the track on racing weekends. Thanks for following up on a creative lead and writing a great story.
Andy Jordan
GAINSCO
Melissa
Thanks Andy! It was my pleasure showcasing Alex and his career! His wife Colleen is a very genuine person and they are great people. Thanks again for the kind words!