Pauchs Look Forward to Return to Action Track USA
The old adage states that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
There is no better proof of that than Billy Pauch and Billy Pauch Jr.
Growing up around racing, it was only natural for Pauch Jr. to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him. It was in his blood. It was a way of life.
Billy Pauch Jr. spent time with his dad in the race car garage and at the races. His dad made his living on racing. It wasn’t unusual for his dad to run at least three times a week – frequently more often than that. Drivers had their regular Friday, Saturday and Sunday night tracks with mid-week special shows and traveling series in addition to that. But times were a changing and while the father didn’t try to deter the son from racing, he did recognize that the days of making your living in racing were gone. Instead, he encouraged him to pursue a different career path with racing as a part time pursuit.
When it came time for Billy Pauch Jr. to race, his dad provided the background, actively teaching and coaching whenever it was possible. When their racing schedules conflicted, it was Roy Pauch who accompanied his grandson to the track.
Over the years, the father and son have competed in the same events on occasion but have seldom competed against each other on a weekly basis. The 2012 season was one exception when Pauch Jr. piloted the Atlas Trucking team of Mike Petruska and family. They were weekly competitors at the New Egypt Speedway along with Pauch Sr., the defending track champion.
But, for the most part, the father and son only competed against each other on occasion – usually the bigger shows at the beginning and end of each racing season. Just like his dad, Pauch Jr. took a liking to the open cockpit cars. He began racing sprint cars on a weekly basis with an occasional Modified or Midget ride in the mix. In 2014, Pauch Jr. will race his Small Block Modified on a Friday night while spending time in both 410 and 305 sprints and Jerry & Karen Steward’s #33 ARDC midget on other race nights. And then there’s the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA.
One of the biggest stories during the off season leading up to 2013 was the news of Richie Tobias and Doug Rose taking over the operation of the track at the Kutztown Fairgrounds. The facility became the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA. In addition to Micros and Slingshots, the SpeedSTRS would compete weekly, starring some of the biggest names in area racing. Billy Pauch was to be one of those drivers with his Sunoco sponsored #9.
Pauch Jr. was in attendance with his dad on opening night. When a car was made available, Pauch Jr. jumped at the opportunity. The SpeedSTR’s main event – The Goldie Meitzler Memorial – was curtailed by rain that night and added to the next week’s racing program.
One week later, Pauch Jr. drove to a second place finish behind race winner, Rick Eckert. His dad battled with Kenny Brightbill for fifth right down to the wire. Pauch Jr. then jumped into his dad’s car for the regular show. “I was really beat,” Pauch Sr. explained. “I was really driving the car hard. It drove a lot better when I learned to not overdrive the car.” Pauch Jr. subbed in the second feature that night, this time in the Sunoco #9, and again picked up a second place finish. There would now be two Pauches competing at the Action Track on a regular basis.
One week later, Pauch Sr would be part of a show that would leave the fans talking for a long time to come.
USAC was in the East, preparing for the Eastern Storm events. Wednesday night was an off night for the wingless sprint car competitors so Bryan Clausson and Kevin Thomas came to the Action Track to race. Pauch and Clausson waged a battle for the win in the SpeedSTR main event that had the crowd on their feet. Pauch ran the outside to take the lead from Clausson with seven laps to go. Pauch raced to the win, his first, with Clausson finishing second.
Clauson enjoyed the race as was evident when he joined Pauch in Victory Lane. “I got to the top there and I thought I would be able to hold him off,” Clauson explained. “Billy Pauch is as good as they come here in PA.” Clauson continued. “I had a blast and hope to come back next year!”
Not to be outdone, Pauch Jr. would claim his first win one week later when the SpeedSTRs competed in Twin 17s for the Ronnie Tobias Memorial. He picked up a second win the following week and would accumulate three wins at the Action Track before the end of the season.
In addition, Pauch Jr. had the opportunity to try out a 600 Wingless Micro Sprint one night and found a new passion in racing. It was hard for Pauch Jr. to contain his enthusiasm when he exited from the 600 for the first time. He became a regular competitor in the Micros, driving for LaMar Schaeffer for the remainder of the season, doing double duty between the SpeedSTR and 600 Micros on Wednesday nights.
Before the end of the season, Pauch Jr. had competed in four different SpeedSTRs, ending the season in the Wayne’s Subaru #1. He swept the Path Valley Fall Jamboree, winning both SpeedSTR and 600 Micro events that weekend. Pauch Jr. then picked up his first win in a sprint car when he won with the Wayne Subaru 305 sprint car at Five Mile Point late in the season.
Both Senior and Junior are looking forward to Wednesday night racing at the Action Track when the season starts on May 14th – it’s the only common denominator in the schedules.
Once a race car driver, always a race car driver – when the helmet is strapped on, the driver wants to win. But both enjoy the Wednesday night shows.
“The money is good,” Pauch Sr. explains. “It’s not far from home so it’s good in that respect too.” “What I really like is that every week you start fresh – I don’t have to come from deep in the pack to get to the front like I do normally,” Pauch Sr. continues. “You go out in warm-ups. If you are one of the two fastest, you don’t have to run a heat. If you’re fast, you start up front. If you have trouble, you come back the next week and try again.” Pauch related it to his experience when racing in Florida in February. “I really had a good time this year. Those guys do it right” Pauch added.
” I frequently have people ask me where they can come and see my dad and I race,” Pauch Jr. related. “Now I can tell them Kutztown. It’s great for the fans. The atmosphere is great – the racing is great. It’s a fun night and we get out at a reasonable time.
Both will return to SpeedSTR competition this year – Pauch Sr. in his Sunoco #9 while Pauch Jr. will pilot the Wayne’s Subaru #1. Pauch Jr. also plans to continue to race with the 600 Micros for LaMar Schaeffer.
This season, there will be a third Pauch who will take part in the Wednesday program. Mandee Pauch has taken on the Public Relations responsibility for the Action Track this season. Mandee is pursuing a career in public relations and is looking at applying her knowledge to her favorite past time.
The Pauch Family is ready for the Action Track – How about yours?
