At age 19, most of us are still figuring out what we want to do with our lives – be it finishing our collegiate studies or juggling our academics with real life priorities in our jobs, families, and friends. With so many uncertainties, just merely surviving the last year of our adolescence is a testament to one’s willpower, strength, and perseverance.
In the case of 19-year-old Bethany Viets, she’s absolute and determined to become the next motorsports star, making an name for herself on the open wheel circuit in the Northeast. A native of East Granby, CT, this third generation racer has proudly carried her family name into the history books with a victory at Seekonk Speedway in Southeastern Massachusetts on the Northeast Midget Association (NEMA), all this coming in her rookie year on the asphalt arena.
To make the transition from dirt to asphalt would be like riding a bicycle without training wheels, painting with water instead of oil, or in her case, making a complete adjustment from the slick surfaces to the more rigid, unforgiving harder terrains that prove punishing to equipment. However, Viets has proven that she can get the job done – if you ask her to drive the car with all her heart, she’ll give you 110 percent and the results will most likely satiate your hopes.
Proving that the Northeast is an area that can breed stellar superstar racers, Viets’ future in motorsports looks very bright, with many options at her disposal. Recently participating in the Sunoco NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine at Motor Mile Raceway in Radford, VA, the Constitution State leadfooter got a sample shot of stock car racing, a route that’s proven successful for her open wheel predecessors in Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kasey Kahne.
I got the opportunity to interview Viets this week, gathering her thoughts on her amazing year as well as her perspective on her career as well as with racing. Cordial, congenial, and poised, you’ll get the feeling that this young woman is on the right track for a career that looks promising, if not, incredible for this amazing talent.
So let’s strap up, suit up, put the gloves on, and get “In the Driver’s Seat with Bethany Viets, Open Wheel Racing Sensation!”
Rob Tiongson: Most people may not consider New England, much less, Massachusetts, to be a breeding ground for racing sensations to compete at as intensively as they do in the Southeast. Yet, you come from a family who’s been behind the wheel now, as you’re a second generation racer. How’d you catch the racing bug and did you know early on that you wanted to be a driver?
Bethany Viets: Although the Northeast, as a stereotype isn’t considered the “hotbed” of racing, I believe that is a common mis-conception. From my own very small town (I graduated with 50 other kids), Jeff Simmons, competed in the Indy 500 along with one of my fellow competitors and mentors, Denny Zimmerman, who was Indy 500 rookie of the year in 1971.
Andy Santerre, who now works with Revolution Racing and Drive for Diversity, is originally from Maine and he was a NASCAR Grand National Division car owner and former champion driver of the East Series. It’s a stepping stone to NASCAR as well, breeding Connecticut native, Joey Logano, and welcoming Jeff Gordon for a few midget races for current NEMA President, Michael Scrivani.
I know my English teacher told me to NEVER just list, but… Stanley “Skip” Matczak, Bentley Warren, Pete Hamilton, Bobby Santos (I, II & III!), Bugsy Stevens, The Bodine Brothers, and seven-time NASCAR Modified National Champion, Richie Evans, just to name a few. I consider myself a third generation racer, because my grandfather was a modified stock car owner in the fifties. I caught the bug when I was 12 watching my father and brother run on a ¼ mile dirt track, which was also home to sprint car driver, Erin Crocker.
RT: On that tangent, which reminds me of a discussion we had on Facebook, you told me you started “late” at age 14. Would you say you’re a fast learner in terms of your advancement through various racing series to where you are now today in motorsports?
BV: I would definitely say I am a fast learner, considering I didn't start racing competitively until I was 14. Then quickly moved up from mini-sprints to wingless dirt midgets then to the asphalt midget I currently drive, and took down wins in every division.
RT: For some of the readers out there who may not know a great deal about the tracks up in the New England region, could you describe some of the venues that you’ve competed at in your career?
BV: Until 2010, I ran at Whip City Speedway in Westfield, MA, a 1/4 mile dirt track. This past season, I took the venture to asphalt, competing with the Northeast Midget Association (NEMA) Lite series.
We traveled around, racing at Seekonk Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl, Monadnock Speedway, and Twin State Speedway. The track sizes ranged from 1/3 mile to 3/8 mile track and they were slightly banked.
RT: Now, let’s talk about your 2010 season and well, what a year it’s been for you! I understand you captured your first win on an asphalt track at Seekonk Speedway. Tell me how you felt going in to that race. Did you feel like you had a winning car under you and what was it like to take the checkered flag in front of family and friends?
BV: We went into this season just looking at it as a learning year for the entire team. It was my first year racing on asphalt and the team was new. In only our fifth start, we took home a win and layed down the fastest laps of the night. The car was hooked up, and I can’t thank my crew enough for making that night possible!
Unfortunately, because it was a Friday night race, my family couldn’t make it and missed my first victory lap with the checkered flag (except for my younger sister, Bekah!)
RT: I’ve asked this question to various racers – when it comes to success in motorsports, how much of it would you attribute it to equipment and teamwork? Is it a case where it can be absolutely all car or a happy medium between good equipment and a team dedicated to giving their best every race?
BV: To be successful, you need every part of the team to be dedicated and dependable; the driver, the crew and the equipment.
RT: Racing can be a very involved, dedicated sport that requires a bit of direction and help. Who do you usually turn to for advice and help, from something like finding the right line on the track to a business decision?
BV: I would say the well seasoned “Liquid” Lou Cicconi has assisted me the most when it comes to direction on-track, while my dad, Scott Viets, and car owner, Charles Gunther, help guide me in off-track decisions.
Overall, my hero in racing and open-wheel veteran, John Heydenreich, has become one of the most essential parts of my career supporting me both on and off the track.
RT: Growing up, who were some of your heroes, on and off the track?
BV: Off the track, my family. On the track, 1990 Chili Bowl Champion, John Heydenreich. He can wheel a race car!
RT: Just recently, you took part in the Drive for Diversity’s Combine down in North Carolina. How was the experience like for you, to strap up, and get behind the wheel of a stock car? Do you see yourself making a home eventually in NASCAR?
BV: Attending the Sunoco Drive for Diversity Combine was an amazing experience. I am so grateful for the opportunity and everyone who helped to make it possible. I never imagined myself in anything other than an open wheel car, but I really enjoyed testing the late model at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA and am open to any direction my career goes.
RT: Say I’m your team owner, and I’ve hired you to drive my car for one race. What should I expect from you as a racer? Are you a calculative, smart racer who bides their time or a hard-charging, aggressive driver who takes no prisoner?
BV: I would consider myself a calculative, smart racer who bides her time. Coming from a family and team with little money, I had to drive conservatively to make sure we could bring the car back the next week.
RT: Alright my friend, it’s time for some Free Association. Just tell me the first thing that comes to your mind with the following, starting…now!
Guilty pleasure.
BV: Sweet Tea & Pancake batter. (not together though)
RT: Family.
BV: Motivation!
RT: Best advice given to me.
BV: "Be yourself, and go after your dreams."
RT: Song stuck in my head.
BV: “My Hero” by The Foo Fighters.
RT: Victory.
BV: Don’t settle for anything less.
RT: My future in racing looks…
BV: ...open to any direction.
RT: What would you consider to be a real racer’s track – a speedway conducive to pedal to the floorboard driving or a gritty short track requiring a balance between aggression and finesse?
BV: That’s a tough question, but ultimately, a “real racer” should be able to win on every type of track. Biased opinion, though, would be short tracks - smooth on the throttle, aggressive on the wheel. Elbows up!
RT: For any reader out there that has dreams of becoming a racecar driver one day, what advice would you give them?
BV: Be yourself, go after your dreams, and don't ever give up!
Author's Note: I'd like to thank Bethany Viets for taking the time to let me interview her. If you'd like to follow Bethany or learn more about this incredible racer, visit her official website, like her Facebook page (search for Bethany Viets), and follow her on Twitter (@bethanyviets). Thanks so much!
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