NBC25 drives a race car
OWOSSO -- Race car driving, it’s a sport many people in Mid-Michigan love, but it can be dangerous.
NBC25 has one man's story of survival, and found out first hand what it likes to be behind the wheel of a race car.
It’s the thrill that keeps people coming back to the race track, even if it lands them in the hospital.
Adrenaline pumping, engine revving, hands sweating. It’s the thrill of race car driving, and NBC25’S Jessica Harthorn got to try it out at the Owosso Speedway.
This Plymouth Shadow can get from 0 to 85 in about 17 seconds...that's fast.
"Hey, you wanna race?" said NBC25 Reporter, Jessica Harthorn.
But not as fast as these super late models. With 700 horse power and 10 inch tires, they reach 100 miles an hour in seconds.
Leo Smith's been racing one every week since he was 16.
"Speed is everything," said Race Car Driver Leo Smith.
Smith says he's crashed more than ten times, but walked away with only bumps and bruises..
"As long as I’m all right, and can go home at night, that's the main thing," said Smith.
Drivers actually say that racing is a safe hobby. And once they get into the vehicle, and make sure their safety belts are on tight, if they were to get hit by a car, they wouldn't budge.
"The way the cars are built now-a-days, compared to ten, 15 years ago, they are very safe," said Smith.
But major crashes do happen. Friday night at the Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Rick Miracle lost control breaking two ribs.
"I gassed the car and I turned right, and I did not see the car, and I turned right in front of him," said Race Car Driver Rick Miracle.
Emergency crews used the Jaws of Life to get him out of his 94 Buick LeSabre.
It was Miracle's first time on the race track, and it won't be his last.
"I think once it’s in your blood, that's what you got to do," said Miracle.
"Whoooo!" said Harthorn.
After putting my pedal to the medal, I couldn't agree more.
Of course, another attraction to race car driving is the cash prizes.
This Saturday at the Owosso speedway, one talented driver will take home $2,500.
The Owosso Speedway is one of the top five asphalt race tracks in Michigan.
