Team owner Mike Affarano is up for the challenge of the single car team
Mike Affarano, Owner of Affarano Motorsports
Credit: Carol D'Agostino/Skirts and Scuffs
Credit: Carol D'Agostino/Skirts and Scuffs
Racing in NASCAR is a huge commitment of time, talent and
resources, especially financial resources. Sponsorships, or lack thereof, often
dictate who has a ride and who doesn’t. The odds seem to be stacked against any small or single car team who tries to compete against the big organizations
like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing.
That doesn’t bother Mike Affarano, who made his NASCAR Xfinity Series owner debut this weekend at Richmond International Raceway with Johanna Long piloting his No. 03 car. Despite the fact that Long failed to qualify for the race, both Affarano and Long remain steadfast about the ultimate prize – racing in NASCAR.
That doesn’t bother Mike Affarano, who made his NASCAR Xfinity Series owner debut this weekend at Richmond International Raceway with Johanna Long piloting his No. 03 car. Despite the fact that Long failed to qualify for the race, both Affarano and Long remain steadfast about the ultimate prize – racing in NASCAR.
“To race in NASCAR is an honor, but there is definitely a
huge disadvantage for the lower-funded teams,” Affarano said. He is still
searching for sponsorship for the No. 03 team.
The issues don’t stop with money though. Access to
information has been equally challenging for the team. Although Affarano has
experience in ARCA and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the technical
inspection process in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is very different.
“The learning curve is huge. The car is being measured with lasers and other templates that we do not have access to. We are learning what they are looking for. It would be great to have a buddy system for new or small teams so we can learn from someone who has been doing it for a while,” he said.
If his history with coping with personal challenges is any indication, Affarano will do just fine. In 2005, the tragic death of his teenage son made him rethink his priorities, putting his own racing aspirations on hold for six years, then later returning to race in the ARCA Series. In May 2012 he took the ultimate tumble at Talladega, crashing into the outside wall, then flipping and rolling six and a half times down the front stretch. Even that crash didn’t keep Affarano down for long.
“My personal challenges and losses left me with needing a purpose. I have always reached for the unreachable, so being a NASCAR team owner just fits,” Affarano said.
“What I really want to do is not only find Johanna
sponsorships, but I also want to be able to help young drivers like I had been
helped by others. With my experience in ARCA, the Truck Series and the Xfinity
Series, I can bring young drivers up through the ranks,” he said.
Affarano acknowledges he always supports women drivers.
Affarano acknowledges he always supports women drivers.
“Someone asked me why I particularly liked working with women racers. That’s easy. They tend to have a great work ethic. They work hard, they never complain, and they appreciate everything that you do for them.”
Team owner Mike Affarano is up for the challenge of the single car team
Reviewed by Carol D'Agostino
on
Friday, April 24, 2015
Rating:

ysl handbags
ReplyDeletefitflops
reebok outlet store
cheap nfl jerseys
mlb jerseys wholesale
ugg boots outlet
ugg boots sale
ralph lauren uk
coach outlet online
kobe bryant shoes
toms outlet store
yeezy boost
chaussure louboutin
nhl jerseys wholesale
uggs outlet
adidas nmd r1
burberry outlet stores
cheap ugg sale
supra outlet
ugg boots outlet
oakley sunglasses cheap
michael kors handbags outlet
moncler outlet store
montblanc pens
white converse
louis vuitton borse
kate spade bags
michael kors outlet store
christian louboutin shoes
uggs outlet
burberry bags
discount oakley sunglasses
nike roshe run
polo ralph lauren outlet
michael kors outlet online
birkenstock outlet
2016099caiyan
burberry outlet
ReplyDeletecoach outlet online
mont blanc pens
michael kors handbags
nike air max uk
tiffany and co
kobe 9 elite
michael kors outlet
oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
the north face jackets
tiffany jewellery
coach outlet
louis vuitton bags
tory burch outlet
rolex watches
cheap nike shoes sale
celine outlet
ugg boots clearance
nike blazer pas cher
longchamp outlet
reebok outlet store
ugg boots
michael kors outlet online
michael kors factory outlet
ralph lauren pas cher
christian louboutin shoes
ugg outlet store
swarovski crystal
nike free running
toms outlet
ralph lauren outlet
louis vuitton handbags outlet
michael kors handbags on sale
north face jacket
20160910caihuali