Trackside 1: Behind The Scenes with Mike Harmon
We are talking today with Mike Harmon, driver and owner of Mike Harmon Racing. He fields
the #84 NASCAR Nationwide Series car and the #24 ARCA / ReMax car.
TS1: Mike, from Trackside 1, we want to thank you for allowing us to both work with you and for
you this season. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule between the Montreal
race weekend and the Watkins Glen race weekend to talk with us and give race fans a glimpse
into the life of a race car owner.
Mike: No problem Chris. We need all the help we can get. I really appreciate the assistance
Trackside 1 provides. Many times this season we would not have made it to the track without
ya’ll. These new Mini Sponsorship Paks we are offering this year really lay the foundation for
getting us to the tracks each week.
TS1: Mike, how long have you been racing as a way to earn a living?
Mike: (laughing) I didn’t know I was earning a living yet. More like surviving. But seriously, I
would say in 1990 I decided to make racing a full time gig. However between two racing
series, often in different parts of the country each weekend, and the cost to be competitive; I am
almost to the point if I can’t get more consistent sponsor support I may be forced out. In the
ARCA series we are a competitive team, I expect to finish in the top 15 or 20 every weekend.
But it is almost impossible to make more money that you spend in the ARCA Series. On the
Nationwide side, it takes at least $10,000 just to show up at the track each week and that’s
before you take the first lap. I am a racer and a competitor first and we always feel like we have
a fair chance at the ARCA level. In Nationwide, it’s frustrating when we have to make the
business decision to “start and park.” As a racer it just crushes you. But on our budget, we
have to build up enough money and choose the races where we want to run hard. Look at
Talladega this year, we brought a strong car with a solid engine, we stayed out of trouble and
we brought home a 17th place finish. Races like that keep you going on the Nationwide side!
TS1: What are some of the highlights of your career? And as a follow up what are some of
the low points?
Mike: I compete full time in the ARCA / ReMax series and we try to compete full time in the
Nationwide Series. Let’s start with ARCA. Our best full season was back in 2005, we were 5th
in points at the end of the year. I have had a few top 10 finishes in Daytona. I have done pretty
well at Talladega as well. Now for the Busch…I mean Nationwide Series (hard to get used to
that still) I have run off and on since 1996. Our best year was 2003 when we finished 23rd in
points. Not bad for an under funded or boot strap team.
The low points. That’s easy. Most people would think it would be the Bristol wreck. That was
and still is a high point…I walked away without a scratch. I still watch that on YouTube and can’
t believe how lucky I was. Back to the low point. Sponsorship. Man, at times it’s hard just to get
to the races, with fuel as high as it is, hotels for the team members, food, etc. It’s also
frustrating being called a “start and park” team. Racers want to race. When the checkbook
tells the brain that I have to get out of the car after just a few laps, that’s real hard.
TS1: Mike I see the “start and park” label gets you fired up. Can you talk more about that?
Mike: I am not a start and park team. Right now we only have 2 cars ready to race and we’re
working to get another car ready. One of the cars is a Daytona, Talladega only car
(Superspeedways). The other car I use for all the other tracks. Chris, I want to RACE and Race
HARD, but with the limited funds I can’t. I am forced to use older parts, they break all too often.
Look at Montreal, Goodyear brought rain tires, but we couldn’t afford to buy rain tires. (I was in
Pocono driving the ARCA car, Dale Quarterley was driving for us at Montreal) Without rain tires,
we had no choice but to park the car. We couldn’t risk the car. I mean, there were guys
wrecking cars at 35 mphs on caution laps. I go back to Talladega again, we had a strong
sponsor, and we finished 17th so I don’t feel we are a start and park team when we come to
the track with enough funding.
TS1: How do you find sponsorship support? What can be done to help?
Mike: Do you have $2 million in your pocket? Heck, I will even take a cashier’s check. The
sport has changed so much, even in the last 10 years. We use to be able to get to the races
each weekend with limited sponsorship and run well enough to make a living. Today you need
solid sponsorship to be competitive. The top 10 Nationwide Series teams all have $5 to $7
million sponsorship deals. That’s $150,000 to $200,000 per race! Obviously, success at the
track brings sponsorship.
We think we have a solid plan to get us to the track each week. Our idea of reaching out
directly to the fan for support has been very successful for us this year. The Mini Sponsorship
Paks we offer through Trackside 1 give the average fan a chance to sponsor a race team. If we
can get 4 paks at each race for $2,500 we can afford to race. Now that’s not enough money to
compete for top 10s, but the more contacts we make with fan pak sponsors the better chance
we have to find a $10,000 per race sponsor or a $20,000 per race sponsor. When we get a
major sponsor we can and WILL race hard to promote that sponsor. But we will always have a
place for the Mini Pak sponsors. Chris, there is no way we can compete with the money the
Spring Cup teams bring to the sport. But we can work just as hard as they do. They have the
money to buy everything new at every race. We just can’t do that today.
TS1: Mike what are your goals for the rest of this year as well as 2009 season?
Mike: I want to compete in ALL the races, run hard, and do the best that the car can do and that
I can do. Counting Watkins Glen, there are 14 races left this season. If the success of the Mini
Sponsorship Paks continues, we will make it to all 14 races. Building on our success, our
plan is to run the entire Nationwide Series schedule next year. It looks like the new car design
or the “Nationwide COT” has been pushed out until at least 2010. We know we have to start
putting money aside to build these new cars.
TS1: Tell us a little about your team.
Mike: Chris, almost all and I mean all team members are volunteers. I would never be able to
race if it was not for them. They spend hours and hours at the race shop after they do their day
jobs. They are unreal. They just love the sport, and know how hard we have it. They really buy in
to the David vs. Goliath story. It’s us against the big teams. Now it’s not without it challenges
running a volunteer race shop: it’s hard to get time off work, they have already worked a full day
when they get to our shop, and they may not have specific race training. This all means we
have to go over everything with a fine tooth comb. This is a dangerous sport and my life is in
their hands. They ALL are a God Send. In fact, many of the crew members spend money out
of their own pockets to help us out at the track.
TS1: Mike, thanks for taking the time to give us a behind the scenes look at racing in the
ARCA and the Nationwide Series. Is there anything you want to add or say to the fans?
Mike: Yes, thanks for all your help and support so far. I really mean it. We really look forward to
seeing you at the track and having you as part of our race team. One last thing, Chris, that I
would like to ask of you…Please keep bringing the fans to the track. I truly believe that fans are
what keep us racing. And it’s okay to root for your favorite driver. We understand that a big part
of the appeal of the Sponsorship Paks is the opportunity to see the big stars of our sport up
close. We want the fans to have a good time.
TS1: Mike, thanks for your time and good luck at the track. Trackside 1 is proud to be
associated with Mike Harmon Racing.
We are talking today with Mike Harmon, driver and owner of Mike Harmon Racing. He fields
the #84 NASCAR Nationwide Series car and the #24 ARCA / ReMax car.
TS1: Mike, from Trackside 1, we want to thank you for allowing us to both work with you and for
you this season. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule between the Montreal
race weekend and the Watkins Glen race weekend to talk with us and give race fans a glimpse
into the life of a race car owner.
Mike: No problem Chris. We need all the help we can get. I really appreciate the assistance
Trackside 1 provides. Many times this season we would not have made it to the track without
ya’ll. These new Mini Sponsorship Paks we are offering this year really lay the foundation for
getting us to the tracks each week.
TS1: Mike, how long have you been racing as a way to earn a living?
Mike: (laughing) I didn’t know I was earning a living yet. More like surviving. But seriously, I
would say in 1990 I decided to make racing a full time gig. However between two racing
series, often in different parts of the country each weekend, and the cost to be competitive; I am
almost to the point if I can’t get more consistent sponsor support I may be forced out. In the
ARCA series we are a competitive team, I expect to finish in the top 15 or 20 every weekend.
But it is almost impossible to make more money that you spend in the ARCA Series. On the
Nationwide side, it takes at least $10,000 just to show up at the track each week and that’s
before you take the first lap. I am a racer and a competitor first and we always feel like we have
a fair chance at the ARCA level. In Nationwide, it’s frustrating when we have to make the
business decision to “start and park.” As a racer it just crushes you. But on our budget, we
have to build up enough money and choose the races where we want to run hard. Look at
Talladega this year, we brought a strong car with a solid engine, we stayed out of trouble and
we brought home a 17th place finish. Races like that keep you going on the Nationwide side!
TS1: What are some of the highlights of your career? And as a follow up what are some of
the low points?
Mike: I compete full time in the ARCA / ReMax series and we try to compete full time in the
Nationwide Series. Let’s start with ARCA. Our best full season was back in 2005, we were 5th
in points at the end of the year. I have had a few top 10 finishes in Daytona. I have done pretty
well at Talladega as well. Now for the Busch…I mean Nationwide Series (hard to get used to
that still) I have run off and on since 1996. Our best year was 2003 when we finished 23rd in
points. Not bad for an under funded or boot strap team.
The low points. That’s easy. Most people would think it would be the Bristol wreck. That was
and still is a high point…I walked away without a scratch. I still watch that on YouTube and can’
t believe how lucky I was. Back to the low point. Sponsorship. Man, at times it’s hard just to get
to the races, with fuel as high as it is, hotels for the team members, food, etc. It’s also
frustrating being called a “start and park” team. Racers want to race. When the checkbook
tells the brain that I have to get out of the car after just a few laps, that’s real hard.
TS1: Mike I see the “start and park” label gets you fired up. Can you talk more about that?
Mike: I am not a start and park team. Right now we only have 2 cars ready to race and we’re
working to get another car ready. One of the cars is a Daytona, Talladega only car
(Superspeedways). The other car I use for all the other tracks. Chris, I want to RACE and Race
HARD, but with the limited funds I can’t. I am forced to use older parts, they break all too often.
Look at Montreal, Goodyear brought rain tires, but we couldn’t afford to buy rain tires. (I was in
Pocono driving the ARCA car, Dale Quarterley was driving for us at Montreal) Without rain tires,
we had no choice but to park the car. We couldn’t risk the car. I mean, there were guys
wrecking cars at 35 mphs on caution laps. I go back to Talladega again, we had a strong
sponsor, and we finished 17th so I don’t feel we are a start and park team when we come to
the track with enough funding.
TS1: How do you find sponsorship support? What can be done to help?
Mike: Do you have $2 million in your pocket? Heck, I will even take a cashier’s check. The
sport has changed so much, even in the last 10 years. We use to be able to get to the races
each weekend with limited sponsorship and run well enough to make a living. Today you need
solid sponsorship to be competitive. The top 10 Nationwide Series teams all have $5 to $7
million sponsorship deals. That’s $150,000 to $200,000 per race! Obviously, success at the
track brings sponsorship.
We think we have a solid plan to get us to the track each week. Our idea of reaching out
directly to the fan for support has been very successful for us this year. The Mini Sponsorship
Paks we offer through Trackside 1 give the average fan a chance to sponsor a race team. If we
can get 4 paks at each race for $2,500 we can afford to race. Now that’s not enough money to
compete for top 10s, but the more contacts we make with fan pak sponsors the better chance
we have to find a $10,000 per race sponsor or a $20,000 per race sponsor. When we get a
major sponsor we can and WILL race hard to promote that sponsor. But we will always have a
place for the Mini Pak sponsors. Chris, there is no way we can compete with the money the
Spring Cup teams bring to the sport. But we can work just as hard as they do. They have the
money to buy everything new at every race. We just can’t do that today.
TS1: Mike what are your goals for the rest of this year as well as 2009 season?
Mike: I want to compete in ALL the races, run hard, and do the best that the car can do and that
I can do. Counting Watkins Glen, there are 14 races left this season. If the success of the Mini
Sponsorship Paks continues, we will make it to all 14 races. Building on our success, our
plan is to run the entire Nationwide Series schedule next year. It looks like the new car design
or the “Nationwide COT” has been pushed out until at least 2010. We know we have to start
putting money aside to build these new cars.
TS1: Tell us a little about your team.
Mike: Chris, almost all and I mean all team members are volunteers. I would never be able to
race if it was not for them. They spend hours and hours at the race shop after they do their day
jobs. They are unreal. They just love the sport, and know how hard we have it. They really buy in
to the David vs. Goliath story. It’s us against the big teams. Now it’s not without it challenges
running a volunteer race shop: it’s hard to get time off work, they have already worked a full day
when they get to our shop, and they may not have specific race training. This all means we
have to go over everything with a fine tooth comb. This is a dangerous sport and my life is in
their hands. They ALL are a God Send. In fact, many of the crew members spend money out
of their own pockets to help us out at the track.
TS1: Mike, thanks for taking the time to give us a behind the scenes look at racing in the
ARCA and the Nationwide Series. Is there anything you want to add or say to the fans?
Mike: Yes, thanks for all your help and support so far. I really mean it. We really look forward to
seeing you at the track and having you as part of our race team. One last thing, Chris, that I
would like to ask of you…Please keep bringing the fans to the track. I truly believe that fans are
what keep us racing. And it’s okay to root for your favorite driver. We understand that a big part
of the appeal of the Sponsorship Paks is the opportunity to see the big stars of our sport up
close. We want the fans to have a good time.
TS1: Mike, thanks for your time and good luck at the track. Trackside 1 is proud to be
associated with Mike Harmon Racing.
Interview with Mike Harmon
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