Midget Racing & the cost of Rental Rides

Midget Racing and the cost of rentals ride as far as I know, and I probably shouldn’t of said anything about this but it’s time to turn into a reporter. I try to be a reporter here and give the 411 on Midget Racing 

[@jaredkinneyjr]

These "non racing" video talks are just as good, if not better, than the actual racing videos. TMez talking anything seems to be some of my favorite videos.

[@tmezTv]

Thanks I been resting not creating and this one was a topic I been wanting to talk about

[@snoopdogAZ]

Excellent video Tmez. Nobody seems to ever talk about the real business side of racing and why some drivers seem to get rides and others don't.

[@YogiBear48]

What an excellent video ❗I hope people watching this wi now understand how much it takes to be a high end racer/racing team. Sure the point of racing is to try to win and be the best but there's only 1 winner per race. It takes a 💩 ton of money, knowledge, teamwork, luck just to have a very slim chance of winning even 1 time in a career at the top tier. Thank you Thomas for sharing your racing career and your knowledge to those of us who never really know about the ins and outs of racing. 👍🙂

[@williamcampbell6589]

I'm the jealous type when it comes to daddy's money racers. I raced against guys that moved on to Nascar and USAC with daddy's money, that couldn't beat me on their best night. Now I'm too old to do it for a living and I guess I lived under the illusion that talent would get me to racing for a living. I was definitely wrong. I worked two to three jobs just to keep my car on the track and I had to make my own suspension parts. I couldn't afford to buy control arms and trailing arms. I built my own front and rear clips if I crashed. I even hauled my car to the track with a 16ft open trailer, behind a Ford Ranger. Maybe all that makes my mass amount of success worth it, but I would have loved to have new parts on my car once and a while back then. In the end, my dad and I worked hard together to make our car fast and consistent. Now that he's gone, those are my best memories.

[@scottkernan9007]

Thank you everyone for doing this so we spectators can love it as well

[@northleftdirt1122]

T-mez you are one of my you tube favourites. I work as hard as I can to give my kid the best car on race day but when my competition is a 3rd generation driver that might not have the money but has 40 years more experience what am I to do. We never miss a race and spend more time in the shop then anyone else. I grew up drag racing but when my kid got in a quarter midget I decided to step away, it’s what my dad would have done for me. It’s hard not to rent a ride at this point, you can’t buy knowledge but you can put yourself in the position to learn quicker. I hear both sides but at least I would stop question my lack of knowledge haha.

[@brianhagler4490]

Thomas- I’ve been going to races since late 80’s. I live a hour from Husets and about 3 hours from Knoxville, so I am fortunate that way. Unfortunately, there isn’t a Midget track close. I super enjoy your content; you’re humble and from what I can tell a great dude!! I as well look forward to meet you soon.

[@alkennedy1124]

None of us ,,,are judging you at all ,we your Tmez fans love🎉what you do and you, just keep your head on straight ,,,p.s. and if it is dizzy out on track then pull off , ok thanks Thomas thanks BigAl California.praise Jesus Christ grace amen 🙏 ❤

[@Zilla23]

That was interesting . Thx for the video . I learned something today .

[@michaeln2386]

Go to Badger engine rules. Get rid of the cockpit adjustments. Go to a spec shock. Get rid of any aero that helps the car turn. Great video Tmez!

[@mariebeasley1269]

Truth always hurts. Money is all about everything in life. Hard work is the way you drivers were raised. Money might price any kind of racing out the door. People forget your other expenses and sometimes it hard to make things meet. You have families. I hope things fall into place and racing survives. Keep up the videos. Behind the scenes are important to show what fans have no idea. I happened to have a son attempt to race sprints and Money ran out. But he tried to do a dream but is thankful to have given a shot. He holds the 20 lap feature record on the old Bridgeport Speedway. It's his forever 🏁

[@dtf-17sh]

Keep doin what your doing big fella...thanks for bringing us along...keep livin your best life...

[@maccer16]

As always, thanks for your candor and transparency you bring.

[@philbarrettjr1687]

This video and many others shows the passion which every Midget driver has every year , year after year .

[@tayleryoung7791]

Thank you Thomas. We love your content, your honesty and your personality. Every single time your at haubstadt you take the time to speak to me and my family. Thank you for that.

[@rpr10ak]

Excellent discussion. One thing I think the high dollar rentals produce are drivers with no respect for their equipment or any one else’s. When you start as a family deal or on your own it’s a different perspective. You may have to sit out races because you wadded your shit up and have to save money to fix it. You learn or should learn from those experiences. I should follow with that’s not always the case. A smart driver with a smart funding source or advisor can use that opportunity with a high end rental to learn and store that info for the future. But how big would the field of midgets be if those high end rentals werent there with their arrive and wreck, I mean drive, racers?

[@jasonshaffer1717]

Cost to race us no joke, and the cost to be fast is not a punchline. I'm workin on a d2 midget build right now on a budget that is bigger than my budget. Hard work and perseverance will pay off. FCK daddy's money.

[@pascal_f1300]

These videos giving fans the real info are such GREAT videos. The truth never hurts about all of this because it puts everything in perspective. When you see a guy make a move or be agressive, well..if he earns 50%, it's his money he's trying to TAKE. If some others do risky moves, you now know that family is paying for it and thus, the repercussions aren't the same. Love it, keep them coming. If other teams or drivers don't like it, well I would like to know who they are because for SURE I will not be a fan of them.

[@speedwaystevecronk6680]

Old saying "Speed Cost Money , How fast do Ya Want to Go " ? Thanks for the inside info on the Midget world. Glad your feeling better and if anybody gives you any crap about you KZbin. Remember You have a Army of TMez Fans! Best of Luck and Skill Going Forward.

[@LeeKauffman-sm1pm]

Thanks for the insights Tmez! More power to ya' man! I'm just a workin' stiff who can't shake the racing bug either, so I get it!

[@sshole6658]

Wish I could be a sponsor your a lot of fun to watch and listen to! I'm unable to drive due to health so o donut through you and Flo! Go kick fkn ass

[@billroberts9044]

The leased rides allow a good driver to step up to show their abilities. Yet these driver's oftentimes are unable to do their own setup or explain what the car needs. The team does it all. This is not a problem until the driver moves to a smaller team and is unable to express the changes they need. Missing the proper setup and chasing the setup all night changes everything. Wading up a few, can get into daddies pocket real quick. As I recently noticed on one driver toneing things down quite a bit when their body panels went on the backup car. Its called "Rent A Ride" not "Rent A Wreck" or should that be "Wrecker". 🤣 Great video Thomas.

[@raceeverythingk9]

The kid on the dirt bike sliding into camera veiw to wave was awesome haha

[@dennisbrown8108]

You and Daum have experience and knowledge to work with. What do the rent-a-drivers have after their driving days are over?

[@HolyCrap-cz6vs]

That was great! The best video of yours in my opinion. Love the background stuff. Keep up the good work and good luck to you.

[@williambillwaynerobertson930]

Thomas the rentaride has gotten ridiculous, I remember back in the early 90's guys would just be happy to have a named driver run there car either Late Model, Sprint etc I also remember when we bought the micro in 2010 rentaride was bad even then it's ashame that these talented young kids have there parents or grandparents buy there way in. A friend of mine Flea a Helluva welder and fabricator back then was with Loyetts so he must be there crashed car repairman that traveled back then. A great piece on the real story bud.🤙🏁🇺🇸🏁

[@Kevin_747]

Lots of Daddy's money in sprint cars too. NASCAR is full of Daddy's money. Cell phone/checkbook drivers bore me.

[@nickfisher1834]

Very interesting video

[@bryanjohnson8170]

I love the comments I lived close to Belleville so I saw the greatest midget drivers ever

[@Duane-O-Matic]

Interesting. Seems more of a mix today than when it was all family driven. I just cant believe how many kids there are out there at this high level. But, you cant forget, this is top, top level division and its viewed as a stepping stone to a higher level.

[@shaunskelton1839]

This interview was awesome. Great topic and Zach hit it on the head you both have the knowledge to do it they have im entitled w daddy's money and don't care who or what I tear up.

[@maccampbell8184]

Hey TMEZ, I am here in Australia and look forward to checking out your KZbin Channel several times a week to catch your latest video. To be honest I don't watch anyone else's Channel. Just a shame I live 1200km away from Sydney and could not catch you at Eastern Creek earlier this year. I hope you come back to Australia soon and maybe do a meeting at Toowoomba Speedway which is only 100km or one hour away. Keep up the awesome work champ....

[@Larryoracing]

One of the things that is not talked about is when Kyle Larson rented a ride from Brent Kaeding Motorsports for the year...He won King of the California 410 Winged Championships in Northern, Ca...to me when he won that championships that is when his career took offr and when he was offered rides in all the best cars...Everybody knows Kyle knows nothing about cars and is one of the best drivers in the world..hence his chance to win at the Indy 500 this year...trust me Kyle is going to try to win that deal..I heard this is a two year deal...does he know anything about Indy cars? does he know how to drive a Indy car? so what are his chances?...he thinks and I think his chances are very good..just like everything else he drives...he steps into the best equipment and puts the hammer down and wins..Larry O..goin' to the front! But rememember this is a rented ride..he knows absolutely nothing about Indy cars..the ride is just bought!!!!

[@cmoore185]

I think Kyle knows more than he lets on. It is just that he has always had a crew chief that did all the work on the car. He couldn't drive for almost 25 years and not have some mechanical ability. It isn't possible to not learn when you are around something all the time. He can work on Owen's cars. He has a really nice shop. If he knew nothing, he wouldn't need a shop. All he would need is a helmet bag.

[@wrayvon121]

Larson rented the Kaeding car for two years. The first year he finished 5th in the KWS standings when he was 17.

[@markstamper3806]

Excellent insight TMezz!!! You are one of the most down to earth racers!!! You are very rich in doing what you do so well!!! And you bring your fans along for the experience!!! Thank you!!! I am richer for following you!!! You are a must see racer!!! Mr. Unique...1 of a kind!!!

[@marks1426]

Thanks for the info Thomas! Love your channel!!!

[@Stick002]

The stage of midget racing is really sad. I've been racing in sprints and midgets for 3 years now. My dad has been in sprints since the mid 2000's and started with midgets in 2020. Midget are so fun, but not worth racing compared to sprints, because of cost and the overall racing scene. We have Chevy Gearte engines, which are the most middle of the road motor we could have got. Not competitive enough to run national event on a track bigger than a 1/4 mile, but isn't allowed to race D2 midgets since it isn't a production based motor. Its really sad, because midgets are so fun and I enjoy them so much, even won in my 4th ever midget race at an ARDC show. Last show I ran was Atomic with Xtreme. Done with midgets now and sticking to sprint cars, just makes more sense for our program.

[@raleighgpeck]

Awesome content video. I love you being the character you are. Thanks

[@tmezTv]

I appreciate that!

[@donwaggoner5820]

Yikes $300K! Great page TMez!

[@vaughanoke1059]

Fantastic insight along with the courage to say it how it is TMez.

[@Horsewithnoname88]

I raced 1/4 midgets as a kid. Dad worked on my cars and we did pretty good but we were a pickup truck, couple sets of tires a weekend operation. We just couldn’t compete with the guys that had money. Full trailers 2 sometimes 3 cars, basically unlimited tires and parts. If I had a bad crash we packed up and went home. Great sport if you can afford it.

[@perrymcmillan1280]

I enjoy your prospective, and insight. Keep up the good work

[@Shredxcam22]

As an engineer, i would love to do chassis work. But there is no money in it and its a huge time commitment when you have a family

[@Blblazer1210]

It sucks because it takes away the wins from people that actually "worked" for it. And then these drivers don't respect their equipment or anyone else's on the track. I miss the old school days I guess. I guess it all comes down to make the most of what you got.

[@Row02]

Awesome video. Hope your channel gets bigger. Love what you stand for and the type of driver you are!

[@richardbrizzolara2077]

Excellent video! You confirmed what I always thought Tmez

[@mattthebountyhunter7380]

Great insight into the inner circle, I know over here down under the financial outlay you can be in a really good sprint car for the same amount as a really good midget. Is that the same in the states?? You guys do a great job with the consistency of the midgets, cause we all know they are so temperamental and running on the ragged edge. Slide or die 🤘🏻

[@hopcam]

I think a lot of people would be interested in what it costs to sponsor a car. Drivers might get more sponsorship if people actually knew what it would cost to put their name on your car.

[@edminas3159]

Excellent point. It would be fun to sponsor a driver like T Mez even to a limited extent

[@bentaylor-lr3jv]

Great video hopefully for the sport itself these kids with money don’t push out the kids with actual talent from getting to where they should be 👍

[@tomstrawmyer4980]

It's nice to learn from you guys about the behind the scenes part of racing.🤘😁🤘

[@MitchaelWinsted]

Why not do more videos like this. Thank you Thomas.

[@edminas3159]

Great video great points. So I absolutely love midgets and in the 1930's through the 1950's midgets were where it was at. I want to see it can back and think it could do so. What needs to happen to bring it back to the glory days? No matter what the cost it is probably cheaper than a sprint or a modified. It needs to come back and be promoted bigger than ever. What will it take?

[@edrudder2148]

very informative....racing aint cheap

[@joshmorris2595]

Love this video, it’s nice to know some costs!

[@stephenprunier7813]

That was some great information. Thanks.

[@tmezTv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MuttTheBuckeyeSlayer1977]

Seen your trailer at circle city but no TMez. Think you was taking couple days off for concussion I think

[@craigrock2828]

Ive always seen family side of racing from growing up in Chicago going to the local small town tracks seeing the guys wrench up on there car and other cars throughout the pits gosh i even helped out with teams every now and then there will always be 2 sides of racing its like baseball and other sports you have your high end corporate sport teams and your local teams. I always push for the local small business teams. Heading to local tracks like circle city and paragon and the track closest to me Lincoln Park all these places have both sides but just enjoy the show Rip the lip

[@waldowallace9749]

The only thing that beats cubic inches is rectangular $$$

[@tmezTv]

That’s good!

[@buddhavb3616]

Thanks for the perspective TMEZ.

[@davidcurry5312]

Love the video, great info

[@Johnnyonthespot1]

We got one expensive hobby.

[@deanhoman1958]

Great video. What range are the purses to support the kind of investment you are talking about?

[@ryeboy2u]

What's the cost of Division II midget racing in comparison to major league midget racting? And is there any money to be made in Division II or is it purely a costly "hobby division?"

[@bradnerling7156]

Money don’t nesasarly make you rich. You living the dream that’s makes you very rich. Good luck.

[@charliewhite3992]

That's just crazy money

[@chadhall5921]

Honestly I can’t stand the rent a ride shit I believe you should prove yourself. There is a lot of talent out there that will never get any opportunity bc they don’t have money

[@RacingWithChuck27]

Buying rides, bringing sponsors at the Indy car level has been going on for decades. I don’t think I’ve really heard of it in sprint cars. Maybe it would be but parents don’t want to throw their kids in one coming from micros, and that would be probably be closer to $500k. The days of earning a ride and paying you dues is gone for the most

[@stevepirro7346]

Thanks, T You’re the real deal

[@tmezTv]

I appreciate that!

[@JaylenButlerRacing]

awsome video tmez

[@bradfarren8875]

Love the honest raw content.

[@devonmartinez780]

Lol this prices out 95% of the country

[@ALCOPRO]

Hey T-Mez just out of curiosity do you can describe how an American Driver such as yourself gets invited to race in Australia like you did for the Jordan Brothers? And did Andy feed you any meat pies?

[@racinrickytoprow3694]

You coming to Texas next month T Mez

[@tristambarden510]

Please come and race in the uk!

[@thequaker1512]

so when renting a ride and they flip hows that work? keith pay to fix it or an additional fee? the cost of racing has gotten very out of hand even in the lower priced cars

[@christianham4062]

Well I appreciate the education I had no real idea how it worked I know it's not all glits and glamor and it's mostly really hard work and life on the road is no fun either. Congratulations on how far you have come and what incredible parents you have who supported your dream. Keep up the good work....

[@1919champ]

Excellent. Good luck tonight!

[@michaelunger7157]

Chase McDermand in the 40 is a co owner

[@randywilson6869]

Tanner Holms jr was the best. I have been watching him since he started now it’s time to follow those 2 little kids like Larson and bush lol. I subbed u and hope it helps. Oh yea I think M r Hahn is a (Emmit) very stand up guy for what he did with u

[@rockett11]

T-Mez your the Best 😎❤️ Truth

[@tmezTv]

🤗

[@coreydintelman1716]

Very good video

[@AceBruno1]

Do you and Justin have the same deal at RMS?

[@tmezTv]

No I’m like a kid to Dave and Justin is our hired gun. But we all work our deals and Dave takes care of his drivers better than anybody.

[@jlh8565]

Thanks for letting us all know how it works. Very interesting.

[@DirtTrackRacing410]

I made a copy of tanners 58 sprint car on my world of outlaws game

[@1Stewman1]

Pitbike photobomb FTW!

[@bksamif]

No different in asphalt racing. I do know McDermand owns his own car

[@timocrosby]

👍

[@DimMakTen]

The kids dont know shit about the Tmez -Bay Muffler days.

[@tmezTv]

That’s not PG 😂

[@richardlay1492]

Said like you need to get a van to live in on road pull your trailer behind not pay motel room will help out on gas if buy diesel one better

[@gregoryross4811]

Yall are getting paid??!!

[@rayisland23]

purse, they always told me put the money back into the car to go faster

[@carontheroad]

❤🏁

[@unclebones2488]

thanks Tmez

[@YZXRYDR]

Photobomb alert! 4:03

[@BillyBob-sx6hr]

Every dad thinks their kid is the next Brett farve Tom brady micky mantel If they have the cash they race Not good for racing Unless they put the time in at the local shit circle and learn Anybody remember Indy cars in the 80’s Lucky AJ Mario Gordon Rutherford survived the shit talent on the track Coogan There are maybe a few But not many that can do it at a hi level Thanks T

[@nathangannon5933]

You are what I call a hater. What is the difference If you rent a ride and win or hire somebody to win. The point for me is that driver obviously has the most talent to win no matter what ,I'm not hatin! lmao. Let's Go Tanner Holme's 18T 1T

[@StephenThomas2]

Man I love Tanner Thorson that dude is a realist just like you, that makes me a fan 100% every time. Zach Daum very real to he spoke nothing but facts

[@RegularJoes]

Nope, Tanner is to much of a big scary Lion for me, shaking in my shoes

[@RegularJoes]

​@@StephenThomas2oh sorry a big scary LION, I'm so frightened that he'll attack, such an alpha, better be careful, send help

[@hankb9104]

All good. KKM employees and helps racing too! Time,$$$,Effort, sweat,tears. Racers gotta race! TY to all for the entertainment and work you all put into it.

[@kyleolson279]

I'm a late model guy and one of the biggest reasons I've preferred late models over open wheel racing is that the vast majority of the drivers owned their cars and worked on them themselves. Back in the day helmet bag carriers were rare in late models. However in the last 10+ years things have changed. Kids starting out with top notch equipment and some of the most experienced pit crews right off the jump. Never having to pay their dues by going through the school of hard knocks for years. Just put tearoffs on their helmets and get in the car and go for broke. If the car gets wrecked, oh well. They don't have to fix it or pay the bills. What annoys me most about it is the lack of perspective they end of having on racing. You're at a major disadvantage in racing today if don't start off at an early age with the best equipment and crew. Like I saw on another comment, where would Kyle Larson be if he wouldn't have rented a ride from Brent Kaeding? Pretty good chance we wouldn't know his name.

[@brandonrumley8322]

Absolutely your spot on you need to watch the video with the interview with Sammy swindle when he gets wrecked by a kid Absolutely priceless, he says distroyed another car again by a kid

[@kyleolson279]

@@brandonrumley8322 I've seen that video LOL 😂.

[@RealKartRacer]

Great point very true in all forms of racing

[@ritachambers6353]

I am glad that you did a video on this as people don’t realize what this side of the “business” is about. My dad started in midgets before they had cages, and even then it was the same story on MONEY. You can not compete with money. But you can have some of the best looking rides any where if you have know how and a work ethic. He made extra money to put into his cars, by being the best at welding., and being a sheet metal mechanic. After smacking your head and living this life for so long you know it can change fast. What skills will those kids have when it’s over? Keep your channel going, and I can’t wait to see the silver KZbin award on display. Haters gonna hate. They are jealous they didn’t do what you are, and be serious., when the professor Pat Sullivan says you can talk about going to Walmart seem exciting, you have got it. You could be working on his end of the mike one day, we don’t know the future!

[@vaughanoke1059]

Bobby Allen would be one exception for how he worked it when he was driving, still today has his team punching above their weight still on a limited budget. Bobby said after Logan won the Eldora million that gives him 2 years racing budget alone after paying Logan his share. You look at Paul Silva no flash big transporter, runs used tyres where possible excetra and spends money only where necessary.

[@michaelramsey3643]

I started out in my form of racing (limited motor, old 100" NCRA cars) with very little money, zero knowledge, and minimal talent. Gradually got better, over a decade, and was eventually halfway decent, before the class went away. I guess there have always been rich kids in racing, and probably always will be. Occasionally they learn and get really good, more often they win some races but never really reach the top shelf of talent. What I learned from all my years of having crappy cars, and finally getting more knowledge and experience, along with slightly better stuff, is it's way, way easier to drive a fast, good handling car vs a slow one. I guess the upshot is either approach can work, especially if you are capable of learning and have a lot of talent, but I do think the slow, self-funded path makes you appreciate it more, and feel a greater sense of accomplishment, if/when any sort of success comes.

[@paulwoodman5131]

Such a thrill to watch all these teams field a car. You know most of them aren't making any real money, but here you are sitting in the stands. Enjoying watching them try 😊.