By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Kyle Weatherman’s jump to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series may have seemed quick but it wasn’t without plenty of hard work.
Making his first start with StarCom Racing at Chicagoland Speedway in June, the past ARCA Racing Series talent has become a regular face in the garage area in 2018.
But not only from driving. At a young age, Weatherman’s father taught him the art of hard work breeding opportunity, especially in a cutthroat sport like NASCAR. So, while the Missourian got his start changing gears in go-karts before actually racing them, the same work ethic has brought the 20-year-old to the Cup Series.
“I love driving but I love working on them and learning them,” Weatherman told Kickin’ The Tires. “When I’m driving and I hear something, I have an idea whats going on. With handling, I can actually think of ideas myself.
“The more I know about the racecar, it will be better for my career.”
The all-around Weatherman was on the lookout for opportunity in 2018 and it came with StarCom Racing. The two-car small team based out of North Carolina is led by team manager and 1990 Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope. Such small team can use a dedicating figure and gave Weatherman the chance to build his brand in 2018.
And it all started in the race shop.
“I wasn’t doing anything at the beginning of the year so I thought to head to the shop and put my time in,” he said. “My main goal is to drive a racecar but I love working on the car and the guys on the team.
“During the week, I help with the front end, underneath stuff on the cars. Nothing really specific, I just fit in and mold whenever I’m helping out. Just a second hand. I’m capable of doing a lot. If they tell me to sweep the floors, I’ll sweep the floors.”
Days of thunder here today at @StarcomRacing 👌😂 pic.twitter.com/nNs9yVocnk
— Kyle Weatherman (@KyleWeatherman) July 24, 2018
His helping hand soon led to the road, becoming a traveling mechanic for the black-and-yellow crew.
“The first race was Texas and I’ve been with them since,” he said. “I’ve been with Derrike the whole year so it’s very fun to work with these guys, you have to enjoy who you’re working with.”
Gelling with your fellow worker is a reason why Weatherman is on the racetrack with StarCom. Having to network through the Cup garage, Weatherman understands how “being present” can make the difference.
“It’s easy to talk to people in this garage because we all have that same love for the sport,” he said. “Working hard for it, that’s always what I’ve done. My dad taught me at an early age to work for what you want.
“If your name is not here, people are not thinking about you. If I’m here and people see me working hard for it, opportunities arise. Being present is very important.”
In an era where drivers’ sponsorship obligations trump driver’s race shop time, a young driver like Weatherman knows the benefits of such work and knows it is what’s missing in the sport in 2018.
“It’s not that they don’t respect the racecar,” he said. “Some of them don’t understand how much time and effort goes into one racecar. Some guys don’t understand that. Being a part of this team in the shop during the weekdays, It makes me respect what they do and the racecar on the weekend.
“It’s a big part of whats missing in this sport right now for some drivers… but they have their own agenda. It won’t hold me back.”
Though an extra hand may not be necessary at Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing, Weatherman has all the opportunity to help StarCom grow their team this season. That help goes both ways.
“It’s a perfect fit,” he said. “I’m still trying to build my name, my brand, and so is this team. This opportunity came at a perfect time.
“Derrike has been here for a long time so having him as team manager is awesome. He helps expedite the process of trying to grow the company and myself.”
Finishing 33rd in his opening race at Chicago, Weatherman returned to the No. 99 Chevrolet at New Hampshire to finish a career-best 31st. Racing at Pocono Raceway, Weatherman is unsure of his future plans behind the wheel in 2018.
But any seat time comes well-appreciated by Weatherman. Just last year, he made his most recent of 50 ARCA starts at Iowa Speedway in July before jumping multiple divisions to make his Cup debut three months later at Martinsville Speedway.
Such a jump may around difficult, however, Weatherman has found similarities from ARCA to Cup.
“It wasn’t as difficult as I thought,” he said. “Racing with the best in the world is intimidating at first. Watching a lot of videos and seeing how other guys race, someone will cut you break, some want. You want to learn the personalities.
“I raced a lot in ARCA and I feel these things are similar in ways, obviously more horsepower at this level. But the tires and grip standpoint, a lot of comparisons. It was a big step but ARCA prepared me well for it.”
Bringing his past experiences to StarCom, Weatherman — though a talent in the race shop — eyes the best performances to further secure his future on the racetrack.
“My main goal is to finish the race, learn everything there, then you want to outperform them,” he said. “The biggest thing is respecting the leaders. I try to do that when others are around us. I still have my goals and routines trying to get the most out of everything.
“Our time will come, we’re getting better each week.”
Excited to be back in the 99 @StarcomRacing @TeamChevy this weekend at @poconoraceway 👌 https://t.co/VQPdSWiH6q
— Kyle Weatherman (@KyleWeatherman) July 24, 2018