Kusheba Enters Champion Contest, Eyes Stafford Competition
Paul Kusheba, IV of Monroe, CT has entered the Search for a Champion Contest. Kusheba focused on answering what makes a champion in his video, which includes highlights at Waterford Speedbowl and the nationally televised Peak® Stock Car Dream Challenge 2. Kusheba used the “care package” Champion provided last season including a hat, and product stickers. He also used their spark plugs in his SK Modified.
“I think this year’s a little bit better than last year’s,” Kusheba said. “It’s not like there’s a lot of crazy editing. It was just me talking next to my car and then a couple clips throughout my racing career. … I’m hoping that Champion takes a look at it and hopefully I can be one of the 15 contestants that they pick. … Hopefully getting their product name out there a little bit more than I did last year will benefit me in the end.”
He finished in the top three for the Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge 2 last year after qualifying through races on iRacing.com. In the first challenge, Kusheba had to drift an “older style Cup car” on an 1/8 mile track after meeting with Michael Waltrip. While he was nervous, he compared it to practicing his SK Modified at Waterford alongside Timmy Jordan and Ryan Preece. “As a racer that’s kind of what I thrive on. I enjoy being under that type of pressure.”
Kusheba kept those lessons in mind when making this year’s entry. He sees both contests as an opportunity for publicity.
“The whole Peak Stock Car taught me about the whole marketing and media aspect, so I was definitely able to incorporate that a lot more in my video this year. … I try to stay engaged in the social media aspect of everything. … It’s a way to reach out to more people than you’ve ever been able to before, so everyone really needs to take advantage of that as a racer, trying to market themselves.”
Michael Waltrip Racing hosted the contestants and their families for dinner and a shop tour. Waltrip spent time with each contestant to learn their background and roots in the sport.
“Everyone that I was able to meet as far as NASCAR drivers treated us contestants like a friend. … He (Waltrip) really wanted to see everyone succeed, along with Danica (Patrick), and Brain Vickers, and Jeff Burton. They all just wanted to see us succeed, and I thought that was really cool, and it was definitely a confidence booster while I was in the whole competition itself.”
As an SK Modified rookie at Waterford Speedbowl, Kusheba finished ninth in points with two top fives, 13 top tens in 21 races. While Jeff Goodale entered some events, Kusheba was the only rookie to compete full-time.
“As a team we did pretty well for our rookie year. I think what stood out to me the most was trying to gain respect from the drivers because I was the only rookie.”
Kusheba’s efforts are supported by JK Motorsports, who provided the engine for Kusheba after he blew up after the first race. His parents are also essential. “They work hard, long hours to make sure our car is as good as it can be and we’re as competitive as possible at the track. The crew typically consists of his father on this family run, underfunded team. Despite a lack of resources, Kusheba never crashed out and attributed poor finishes to broken parts like a tie rod and hind.
“It is hard to do. Financially it was a really tough season on everyone in my family. But … the car is still clean after the race and we’re not on a flatbed every week. It was really nice to be able to run a full season and not have the car on the hook. The car never got towed off the track after 20 races and everyone’s seen the modified races at the Speedbowl and it gets pretty wild.”
For someone who idolized track champions like Rob Janovic, Jr., Keith Rocco and Tyler Chadwick at the start of his Legends career, Kusheba has already received high praise. Janovic told Kusheba “he appreciated how I raced him and gave me a lot of compliments and said it was really nice racing against a rookie like you.”
“That’s really kind of what I wanted to do this season. Even if we didn’t get that win this year even if we didn’t get that podium, I was looking to gain respect from the other drivers out there.”
Kusheba is planning to race at Stafford Motor Speedway full-time in case Waterford does not open. The track’s schedule is uncertain after a foreclosure auction in October and subsequent court proceedings. He points to the benefits of racing in front of different fans, with different drivers, and a larger field.
While he “would love to run the Speedbowl” again, he needs to make a decision by the end of this month. Kusheba drove Legend Cars at Waterford before his move to the SK Modifieds last year.
“I definitely feel like we can have a very, very strong sophomore season. But if they’re not going to say they’re racing until late February that’s going to be a struggle for us. That would be a struggle for a lot of teams, not just me, but for every division, every car that was planning on running.”
Kusheba would need additional crew members to maintain the car and a pit box for Stafford’s infield pitting. Besides changing the rear end for the Chassis Dynamics No. 72, the team is looking for additional sponsorship. The team will run at least half of the Stafford schedule as is.
“Stafford is a little bit more sponsor friendly it seems like, so we’re trying to get a few more sponsors on board and hopefully we can get it done.” Kusheba hopes the respect from his peers will aid in the sponsorship hunt. “Anyone that’s really seen me race, and seen me run well, and consistent, they’ll keep that in the memory bank and hopefully give me a chance.”
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge to go up to Stafford and race against those 5, 6, 7 tour drivers that are in the field weekly. But I know it’s pretty much the stiffest competition and biggest field you can get in and that’s what I love about it. I love tight, competitive racing and it may be a real struggle in the beginning but I’m learning with the best.
“… I think it’s going to be a huge way for me to be able to become a better driver just by racing with them and seeing what they do, how they setup their passes.”
Kusheba’s goal is to replicate last season by improving with experience. He anticipates that he can be a weekly top five to top ten driver after midseason. He was running second to Diego Monahan with ten laps to go at Waterford until he was spun late.”
Voting is open daily through February 3 for the first of three rounds. Visit the contest’s web site for more information.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com