With all the talent in USAC and all the young guns in Indiana, what's up with this:




Lucas Wolfe signs deal to drive for PDM/Racing Associates JV

ANTHEM, AZ — PDM/Racing Associates JV, a joint venture between PDM Racing, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN and Racing Associates, Inc. of Anthem, AZ, has signed veteran World of Outlaws driver Lucas Wolfe to a deal to drive in the Firestone Indy Lights series in 2010. Mickey Meyer, Jr., President and Managing Director of Team Operations for Racing Associates, is elated about the deal. “We believe bringing Lucas on board builds a solid foundation for our strategic goal of developing championship IRL and FIL teams, and more than that, Lucas is the right fit at the right time and we plan on a long and fruitful relationship. Our partner, Paul Diatlovich, is a master at developing young drivers in this series and getting them to the next level.” Lucas Wolfe is equally enthused. “I'm extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with so many motivated people who share the same goals. It will be a great partnership with PDM/Racing Associates and me for the FIL 2010 Championship.” In addition to the Firestone Indy Lights series, PDM/Racing Associates JV plans to field an IRL team in 2010. “The IRL has set up a credible farm system in the Firestone Indy Lights series that fits perfectly with our mission of developing drivers and teams. In addition, the series is a valuable platform in which to serve our sponsors by extending their brands through a variety of programs made available through the IRL”, remarked Joe Gartrell, VP and Managing Director of Business Operations for Racing Associates. PDM Racing, Inc. is a veteran race operation headed by Paul Diatlovich. Under the joint venture with Racing Associates, PDM will share team operations duties with Racing Associates; however, Paul Diatlovich will captain race strategy, race weekends, testing, and driver development. The team will compete under the PDM Racing, Inc. license. Racing Associates, Inc. is a partnership between brothers Mickey Meyer, Jr. and Joe Gartrell. Mickey Meyer, Jr. is a veteran sprint car driver in his own right, but is known for his engineering and car building prowess. Joe Gartrell is an experienced businessman and innovator with over 28 years of successful management experience. In addition to the team operations duties, Racing Associates will run the business operations including financing, accounting, legal, marketing, sponsor relations, contracts, media relations, and branding.

Yea i saw this too.... dunno...

Being from the Northeast and having raced with Lucas a few times, most recently Short Track Nationals in Arkansas, we know him pretty well. His Father was an Open Wheel Standout for years as well. Lucas is young, I believe just nicely 20 and has had some outstanding years at the Grove and at various Outlaw Shows. He is certainly a deserving young man from a good Family and no one should begrudge Lucas for this accomplishment.

I don't think it is a money deal since Lucas is not from a wealthy family. Lucas, his dad and Rick do most of the wrenching on the Outlaw deal. So, like many situations, it is probably a relationship situation. Many people develop relationships that are followed through the years and then bare fruit down the road. But that is only speculation.

With that said, I have to agree to a certain point. There are a lot of young drivers in Indiana that are deserving as well. And, I thought Indiana is where, especially the IRL, went "fishing" for the next talent in their series. Look at Cole Whitt (although Cole is still too young I believe but not for long), Hunter, Chris Windom, Nick Faas, etc., etc. who are ready to step up to the next level. I am as surprised as you.

Perhaps the most surprising is the fact that many "experts" say to go somewhere in Major Motorsports, you need to "get out from under the wing". So much for that. That is what Lucas Drives; Wing Sprint Cars. And, everyone used to say that you need to race in Indiana to get to the "next level". There is another young gun in PA that runs Wing Cars that is as good as anyone and that is Cody Darrah. Watch out for Cody too. He is a very capable young man.

So, who knows. All I can say is that I am happy for Lucas and his Family. They are good people and we certainly wish them the best. But, it sure does throw a curve in the current belief system: Money and Non Wing... And that may not be a bad thing for our sport. Just my opinion...

Pete Gulick

Who cares what series he came from...I am happy for the guy. Lucas Wolfe is a good young talent. How many USAC guys have moved on to NASCRAP about 50% of the drivers. I would be happy for them as well.

I'm just happy that a sprint car driver got chosen for open wheel. It seems that all of the open wheel teams, be it IRL or Indy Lights, pretty much ignore the sprint car drivers. I know there have been a few exceptions, but they are too few and too far between.

Frank Daigh

Mr.Gulick, I in no way was diminishing what Lucas accomplished in his young career. I too go to the Grove every Friday night and watched Lucas turn into a very good sprint car driver. I also grew up watching his dad (Randy) winning some in the Keen Trucking #5w. I wish Lucas well and hope he has a successful career.

Your second line is what I was thinking. Their must of been some kind of relationship there through his dad that carried over to Lucas' career for him to make it that far, that fast.

I actually didn't say anything in my first post, but, I think there's driver's in USAC and Indiana that are MORE deserving at this chance of a lifetime, than Lucas. I thought that was what the IRL was supposed to be about.

But you know the old saying, It's all in who ya know or something like that....

P.S..It's funny you mentioned Cody Darrah. This weekend my freinds and I were talking about Lucas and Cody, and I said I'd bet Cody wins an Outlaw race before Lucas, then I see this post on the Grove board.

Amen. Cody and Lucas are good kids. I thought Cody might have won in Charlotte last fall. He is fast. Good points all around, even Wingman. I guess from his Board Name we know where his loyalty is. We are wing racers too and fans too. I think we are all happy for Lucas; I am.

pg

I posted this here because
I was curious what The Indiana faithful thought about this.

Not sure exactly how this came about....I hadn't heard anything about it before this press release. But I can say that I will be very interested in seeing how Lucas does. I've been a fan of his since he started in sprint cars. I actually used to have a shirt of his dad, from back when I was little and we went out to PA. Lucas is a great guy, someone that everyone around here should cheer for. He has raced wingless and is a true racer across the board...

No doubt I am a loyal wing fan. But, I have said this 100 times. I love all sprint car racing. Wing or non-wing. I am just glad a sprint car driver has this oppurtunity.