Love for the sport drives area dirt-track racers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- As Dr. Brent Bartgis climbs out of his green and white race car, the Bolivar surgeon is greeted by the smiling face of 8-year-old son Eli.

It matters little that Bartgis finished ninth in the factory stock feature race at Bolivar Speedway. It matters little that the meager prize money will barely cover a trip for Eli to the track's concession stand.

For Bartgis and hundreds of others who slide around Ozarks-area dirt tracks, it's all about the love of the game.

"We measure success by the fun we have," Bartgis said before a recent Friday night race. "And we're having a blast."

The scene is a familiar one at eight area dirt tracks. From Monett to Wheatland to West Plains, the dirt flies and so does the fun.

"You ain't making money at it," said Monett's Jordan Holloway, one of the leading drivers in the factory stock division at Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Monett Speedway. "You're doing it because you love it."

For every driver who makes a living on the track, there are 100 who will never clear a nickel. Not after investing in motors, tires and fenders -- not to mention all the blood and sweat that goes into preparation.

Call it grassroots racing, where bragging rights outweigh bank accounts.

The desire to drive a race car always tugged at Bartgis' heart. The Oklahoma native went to race tracks as a child, where he watched his uncle drive a sprint car.

But with his focus on medical school, there was no extra time to drive a race car. Then even less while doing residency and establishing his medical practice as a general surgeon.

A little over a year ago, Julia surprised her husband by giving him a race car for his 39th birthday.

So, Bartgis went racing and, to no one's surprise, he didn't win a race in 2006. Bartgis remains in pursuit of his first victory. But once you go fast, it's hard to step away from the racing culture.

"Most of the guys in the pits, if you have a question they're more than willing to answer it," Bartgis said. "Of course, once you get out on the track it's every man for himself."