Cashing In On Sports
Driving For Love And Money
By Guy Junker

Jeff Zillweger spends most of his time driving any one of the vehicles in the small fleet he owns for his landscaping business in the North Hills. Dump truck, pickup, tractor, grass mower, you name it, he drives it. But that is how he makes his living. His passion is driving another piece of equipment, usually just once a week, on Saturday nights at Jennerstown Speedway. Like most men, he loves to drive fast. Although he's doing it legally at the track.

Whether it's golf, fishing, softball, skiing, whatever the weekend warrior in all of us pursues, there are expenses involved. But that cost is considerably higher when you race. Zillweger grew up in Shaler playing the more traditional sports of hockey and soccer in high school. But as he says, he's "always been into NASCAR." At first he thought about giving go-carts a try. That's when a friend of his, Paul Urso, urged him to try hobby stocks in the four cylinder beginners' class. And the love affair began.

While it's not as expensive as you might think to get started, Zillweger had the benefit of having some help. His dad, Rich, is a welder, and helped him turn a '92 Acura Integra into a race-worthy vehicle, all for about $4,000. Urso provided the decals after a $500 paint job. There was also a racing suit to buy, as well as fireproof underwear, shoes, gloves and a helmet. Total cost there about $1,500. He also needed an enclosed trailer to transport the car. Pit fees are about $30 each week. A set of tires lasts only about four weekends. He uses $30 to $40 worth of fuel a week. It's not exactly big business, but it's not a set of golf clubs either. Especially for a working man with a family.

That family includes his son Austin, who was born July 18th last year. Thus the 18 on Zillweger's car, which is otherwise painted like Jeff Gordon's, his favorite driver.Zillweger's wife Becky has gradually warmed to the idea of it all. At first she had her doubts, not so much about the expense, but the safety issue. It doesn't bother him. "I spun out once, but luckily I wasn't hit. Another time there was oil on the track and I hit it and went into the wall." He speaks of the incidents with the nonchalance of a guy describing a nice putt. Then again, to Zillweger, they are about the same.

Of course the worst part about one of those incidents is the time and expense necessary to make repairs. He and his dad do most of the work on the car.Many weeks it's nothing more than a night or two checking the fluids, etc. But that changes after an accident. How's that commercial go? Car to drive real fast: $4,000. Fireproof underwear just-in-case: $200. Getting a trophy and finishing first: priceless.

Zillweger will finish his second season of racing in September and so far has one win to his credit. And while he's very proud of that, he's mostly looking ahead, with dreams of speeds of over 100 miles per hour dancing in his head. "I did 42 laps in a Winston Cup car and hit 115 mph. I would love to go to driving school down south in Florida someday.'

While the bug has bit him hard, Zillweger knows it would take outside financial backing to move beyond what he is doing now. He does have a potential sponsor lined up for perhaps as early as next year. But first things first. There is his business to attend to, and his wife and young son. For now, he is content with coming close to breaking even. But he's a better driver than he was a year ago, and at age 32, he has time to consider moving up.

There is a certain camaraderie among racing people. Even though he's a relative newcomer, Zillweger has found the other people at the track friendly. "They try to help you anyway they can. Although they aren't giving away any secrets either." And he wouldn't have it any other way. Camaraderie and competition. It makes his Saturday nights from May through September a pretty wild ride.

So if you happen to make a trip to Jennerstown Speedway, look for Zillweger in that number 18 Acura Integra. Most likely though, you'll see him driving a work vehicle in the North Hills. Those ones are labeled Zillweger Landscaping. One helps pay for the other. Although there is no doubt which wheel he would rather be behind.

Guy Junker can be heard on ESPN Radio weekdays from 11a.m. to 1p.m.