Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Will Cole Whitt still be running Usac races? I know he is going to the Camping East series. Hopefully we still get to see him in a midget and sprint car.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Love watching him in all 3 USAC classes. Hope he at least does some of
sprint week & Hoosier 100.
Good luck to him in his great career I know he is destined to have.
In my selfish way, I want him to stay USAC until he is 75 yrs. old.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

I have to agree. I wish he'd stay in sprint cars. It's a shame that all the young dirt track talent just aspires to get to pavement. I guess money talks but...I hope we get to see Cole this year, and many years to come in a sprint car or midget.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

The Camping World East Series only runs 10 races during the year, so I would certainly hope that Cole is going to be running some USAC and maybe local stuff in his down time. Good luck Cole...in whatever you do...certainly a skilled young driver.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

He said at Tulsa that he wasnt going to be able to run with us in 2010. According to Kyle Schackert at Team Red Bull, they have some other things lined up for him this year beside Camping World East.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

i heard he bought a steel block is gonna run for the ASCT title.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

:5:

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Below is an article that I just completed on Cole and his 2010 plans. It should run in Monday's edition of the Kokomo Tribune.

Brett Bowman

Cole Whitt to leave USAC

By Brett Bowman
Kokomo Tribune Auto Racing Columnist

Whitt bidding farewell to open wheel in 2010

Alpine (Ca.) open wheel standout Cole Whitt is leaving behind the bullring scene and venturing into stock cars in 2010.
Whitt enjoyed a breakout 2009 campaign that saw him capture the Omni-Source Corporation Sprint Car Series title at the Kokomo Speedway. In his championship campaign at the local oval, the popular driver picked up nine feature wins, by far the most of any competitor at the track that is considered the toughest weekly venue in the state.
Nationally, he was the 2008 USAC Mopar National Midget Series champion then he followed it up in 2009 aboard his Keith Kunz-owned Red Bull No. 67 sprint car, finishing second to Levi Jones in the title chase.
His success of the last two years opened the eyes of the Red Bull brass as they approached him during the offseason about piloting a Camping World Eastern Division stock car this season.
“I’m really pretty stoked about this opportunity,” said Whitt Sunday afternoon from his new residence in North Carolina. “I’m just kind of bummed out that we don’t run our first race until late March. I’m ready to go out and race right now.”
Those who have watched Whitt week in and week out over the last three seasons knew it was just a matter of time before opportunity knocked. That came right after he posted a win aboard his Silver Crown car at the Phoenix International Raceway late in 2009.
“Right after we won that race they (Red Bull) got with me and said they would like to talk with me,” explained Whitt. “We had been talking a bit during the season about the possibility of me maybe moving up to the next level. After I went out and talked with them, we just got the deal put together and everything in place.”
Jumping into a car that weighs roughly three times as much as what he’s gotten used to may present some challenges for Whitt in the early going, but he noted he is ready to make the move.
“I probably only have about 50 total laps driving a stock car,” he stated. “I’ve been in a Camping World car a bit and also an ARCA car, which is pretty much the same thing, and I realize there is going to be an adjustment period I will have to go through.
“The thing is,” he continued. “I know that a lot of times in a sprint car the track may become a one groove track and it’s almost impossible to make a pass. In these stock cars there are ways to bump someone out of the groove and not cause a big mess. We primarily are going to be running on short tracks and there is one road course we will race on as well.”
The Camping World series consists of just 10 races which has prompted many fans to speculate that Whitt might jump back into a sprint car or midget when his schedule allows, but Whitt quelled any speculation of that happening.
“I really love racing my sprint car at local tracks, especially Kokomo,” he noted. “But I realize that not everyone is given an opportunity to further their racing career like I’ve been given. My goal is, and always has been, to race at the top level. If all goes well with the Camping World series then I’m hopeful some doors will open up for me in the Nationwide Series then the Nascar Cup Series.
“So, even though there are just 10 races on the schedule,” he continued. “I’m going to devote 110 percent of my attention to those cars and be the best I can possibly be in one. I don’t think it would be fair to the Camping World team if I jumped around from car to car.”
Looking back on his blossoming career Whitt acknowledged those who helped make things so special.
“It was always a blast to go race at the local tracks when there was no pressure like a points chase, that sort of thing,” he said. “Just to go to the track, work on the car and go out and try to win. I made some great friends and have had a lot of fun along the way. Like I said though, this stock car deal is a great opportunity and an answer to a life-long goal of mine. I’ll still get out to the tracks, but I’ll only be there as a spectator and watch those guys that I’ve been friends with the last few years.”

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Kind of interesting that he considers a series I've never even heard of as "the next level".

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

lota nationaly known drivers have come from that series in the East!!.......
____________
Brucer':32:

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

It was the Busch North series for quite awhile. Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, and a whole lotta well funded teenage "phenoms" or grandchildren of famous racers have stopped by for a season or couple races in the last few years. It was mostly just die hard lifelong east coast racers until 2007 and many cup affiliated teams infiltrated the series and started to make it a stop on the "way to the big time" for development drivers.

I guess having a sponsor like Red Bull in a series that isn't televised and pays a few grand to win isn't going to be there forever.

So who is going to race for Keith Kunz this season?

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Dave Darland in the Sprint Car.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Thanks,

I guess I missed that other post... After seeing that Speed Report story last night on how tough if it is being a full time sprint/midget racer, I am glad Dave is behind the wheel of good car. I can also see where someone like Cole is leaving.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

So Cole Whitt is going to race 10 times this year, that's a shame.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Considering that Darland and Coons raced 100+ races last year, and I think Cole Whitt raced ~77 times (according to the TV) that is a huge drop.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

But when a major sponsor, such as Red Bull, is orchestrating your career path, don't you think that you should do what they want you to do?

They've proven that they'll stick with fairly mediocre performance(see Scott Speed - bad F1 and poor Cup performance); so if Cole does well, well, it's a bonus for both him and Red Bull.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Yes if Red Bull says race 10 times, I quess that's what you have to do. I just think it's a shame that as talented of a driver as he is, he will only race 10 times in a year.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

it really is a shame.... but ive been sayin since cole got to indiana that he was gonna follow the same deal as a little guy named Jeff Gordon followed 20 years ago:(

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

.....yeah, but let's just hope he doesn't get kicked to the curb, ala Boston Reid, or Tracy Hines, or Bryan Clauson, etc. etc.:15:

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Great article!! if results are anything like go-karts & USAC... jimmie johnson will have some stiff competition in the near future!!!! :) Go get'em Whitt

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

I guess it just makes me sad that a talented young racer would consider a dinky little regional stock car series a step up from USAC.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Camping World East

Camping World Truck

Nationwide

Sprint Cup

If Cole does well, he can advance along those lines...

where's he going to go if he wins multiple USAC championships? In the article, Cole states his ambition to get to the top of whatever series he competes in....I say wish him well and congratulate him on earning the opportunity!

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Who is Joey Logano? I think he came from that same "dinky little regional stock car series." I suppose it wouldn't be a step up if he wanted to race USAC the rest of his life.

Usac is a feeder series for young up and comers for bigger and better things if opportunity arises!! Just be happy for the kid. He has paid his dues

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

I'm not knocking him at all. I think he is a very talented kid and a heck of a racer. I just can't believe that USAC has sunk to the point where it is considered a "feeder series" for anything. It was once "The Destination".

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

:6:Go get um Cole I cant wait to see you at the top... no matter how many stops you make between now and then!!!

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Haven't you ever noticed when you tell someone you like racing, they just assume it's NASCAR. Or the odd look you get when you say "I'm going to a midget race". Or that if someone might know what a sprint car is they mention "the ones with the big spoiler on the top". Outside of Indiana, not too many people know what USAC is.

I would like to see Cole race in Indy, stay in a sprint car, but who wouldn't go to where the money is.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

I have enjoyed watching Cole for the last 3 years. I hope to be able to watch him for many more years. I am also a Tony Stewart fan and after following him through USAC and the IRL It is his fault I spend Sundays watching NASCAR. I say to Cole.....if racing on Sunday is your goal, go get it! I'll enjoy following your progress! Just pleasealong the way remember where you came from.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Well said, you are so right.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

It just really bugs me that so many people seem to think that NASCAR is where the best racers are. That it is the "Major Leagues" of racing. I guess money wise it is but there are really only a handful of real racers there. There are a 100 drivers in NASCAR who could win in that #48 slot car. Can you imagine what kind of events the Hoosier 100 and Indy 500 could be if all the best racers were there again. Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Robby Gordon, Dave Blaney, Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Donny Schatz, Tony Kanaan, Sam Hornisch, Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon, Danica Patrick lined up with Dave Darland, Jerry Coons, Tracey Hines, Cole Whitt, Jesse Hockett, Cory Kruseman, JJ Yeley, Scott Bloomquist, Rick Eckert in real race cars running the Indy Mile on Friday then IMS on Sunday. You couldn't build enough seats around the tracks. Or all these guys running Winchester, Salem, Eldora, Williams Grove, Kokomo, Knoxville or Lawrenceburg. I know I'm probably living in a fantasy world but I really believe it could happen again. Just not with the people who are in charge now.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

It was only "The Destination" when a ride in the Indy 500 was the top of the USAC ladder.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

No question that USAC lost its title as a destination when it was no longer associated with Indy. NASCAR is simply a marketing monster whose races have an appeal via TV. Lots of so-called fans have never attended a live race. I also remember when many USAC guys back in the day were anxious to leave sprinters for the "next level". Perhaps and maybe it is a good thing our kind of racing will never be the so-called "big leagues" if NASCAR, F1, and yes WoO are examples. What would be great would be if USAC had a philosophy which in fact caused its competitors to at least want to stay with them. In short, better payout, etc. which would be incorporated by combining incentives to compete in all 3 divisions. Lastly, I would someone would remind NASCAR it is not a sport, but a subdivision of the sport of auto racing! 82 degrees here in St. Martin where the girls are so poor they can only afford the bottom of their bikinis!

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Time n' things change all the time!!........
__________
Brucer':32:

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Wasn't CART buried and the IRL born so these openwheel guys could move up and move the bad Brazillionaires out of American Open Wheel.

Does he know how to rope a calf? :14:

Good Luck Cole, dude stands on the gas

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

Well, I certainly wish Cole the best of luck in whatever he decides to do. I will surely miss seeing him backing a sprint car into turn one, but I don't blame him for what he is doing. Like they say, "gotta make hay while the sun shines". He has talent for sure, and a great personality to boot. Red Bull would be nuts to let him get away. If they didn't offer him something in this direction, someone else surely would.

Re: Cole Whitt 2010?
 

BRAZILLIONAIRES???? Nice Word....So true! Thanks for the laugh. (I find it much more healthy to laugh when actually I am crying inside)