 Sprint car racing is a high-risk,
high-dollar game that wears on one physically, mentally, and
financially where only the strong survive. Arnie Kent is one
of the drivers that fit the description. The 34-year-old New
Castle resident is in his fourth year of racing sprint cars.
Kent is one of the top weekly contenders in the headlining 410
sprint class at Mercer Raceway Park. He has finished fourth in
points the past two years.
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- Kent developed his love for racing at an early age attending
races as a baby. He began his racing career running quads and
snowmobiles. His circle track career was born in 1993 when he
competed in the micro sprint division. The micro sprints have
been the feeder division for many sprint car drivers today, not
only locally, but also nationally.
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- Kent ran micro sprints for three years until he made the
jump up into the 360 sprint class. Kent participated for a year
and a half at Hickory Motor Speedway in New Castle and Tri-City
Speedway near Franklin. But during the middle of the year, both
speedways dropped the division. His brief stint produced three
wins at Hickory and one win at Tri-City. Kent would now compete
with the 410 sprints at the area speedways.
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- Some may ask, "Why sprint cars?" That's an easy
one for Kent to answer. As he grew up, he only liked watching
the sprints. He would travel all over just to watch the open
wheel beasts play in the dirt. They are fastest and premier division
in the region. Kent says it is a high-dollar game, one that he
admits he probably shouldn't be playing. When Kent got his first
410 engine to compete at Mercer, it lasted eight races. The crash
he was in also took out the driveline and rear end and his $12,000
investment was lost. Making that type of money up competing locally
is just not possible. A sprint driver can make anywhere from
$100 to $1300 on a regular night at Mercer. Sprint drivers can
spend as much as $30,000-$40,000 on 410 engines alone. Kent said,
"It's tough with the purses. You need to finish in top few
positions just to be able to cover your expenses." That
of course doesn't account for severe crashes.
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- Kent relayed that his dad, Ken, helps out both on the financial
and mechanical end of the car. Sponsors Dr. Martello Dentistry
in New Castle, McElwain Chevy-Olds in Ellwood City, and Fisher
Performance in Akron, Ohio also give Kent a much-needed boost.
Most people do not realize the commitment it takes. "During
the week it's like a second job. We spend 15 to 20 hours a week
maintaining the car," Kent admitted. "You make a lot
of sacrifices to do something you like to do," Kent added.
This is one reason why Kent has cut back to primarily racing
one night a week. The graduate of Slippery Rock University with
a degree in Business Management is married to Michele. They have
a seven-month-old daughter together and this has changed the
way he has gone about racing.
When it comes to an idol, Buddy Cochran's name arose. The Hermitage
driver, who is in his mid sixties, still competes in a sprint
car and had three top ten finishes through the weekend of May
16. Cochran was a big winner in years gone by. When Kent was
young, he used to go and sit in the car when Cochran drove for
the Kosiar Brothers.
His biggest disappointment thus far was putting the 410 engine
in and not living up to his expectations. His biggest accomplishment
was finishing second to Rob Chaney at Hickory Motor Speedway
in October 1997 for Tommy Hein's Wingless Sprint Challenge. He
earned $3,000 that night and beat All Star and World of Outlaw
driver, Dale Blaney. Speaking of the wingless sprints, Kent wishes
there were more wingless shows. He said, "They don't rely
as much on the motor, but more on the driver. They have really
taken off in California." Kent said he'd probably compete
in the USAC Sprint show at Tri-City Speedway on September 11.
Kent really likes Mercer and said it's probably his favorite
track. He has known Vicki Emig for years. "She'll do real
well, but needs time. People can't expect much for the first
year," said the driver of the blue #18 sprint.
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Like most drivers, Kent would like the opportunity to run with
the All Stars or World of Outlaws. "I'm just waiting for
that one break to further my career; whether it's someone to
sponsor my car or to own it," were Kent's last words. Hopefully
that time won't be too far away.
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