Wednesday’s announcement that Vermeer Motorsports and driver Hunter Schuerenberg mutually parted ways was met with surprise across the Sprint Car landscape. And it didn’t take long for social media to ramp up with conjecture.
The team had been together for three seasons, and Schuerenberg stood third in the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions standings. It didn’t help that Ohio Speedweek was just days away, which seemed to throw some fans off.
That’s Sprint Car racing. It’s unpredictable, at times. Since then, Vermeer Motorsports announced that Buddy Kofoid will pilot the car during Ohio Speedweek, which consists of eight races in nine nights.
On Thursday, SprintCarUnlimited.com caught up with Vermeer to discuss hiring Kofoid and the future of this team in a quick question-and-answer session.
Q: It was announced that you hired Buddy Kofoid to drive your car. Is this just for Ohio Speedweek or for other events?
TV: I would say, it’s just for now, but we have talked about Huset’s and the High Bank Nationals. That’s a strong possibility. Now, it’s obviously up to Buddy. When he got let go, or whatever happened with the 11-Car earlier this season, Bernie was the first to reach out to him, and he has some loyalty there, which I totally understand. That’s the way it should be. So, he’s trying to get a schedule from Bernie and see what he wants to race, when he wants to race, that type of thing. I would love to tell you it’s going to be long term, but we just don’t know yet. I think it will be more than Ohio Speedweek, but I don’t know if it will be consistent, the next weekend, or that type of thing.
Q: Did you have a previous relationship with Buddy Kofoid or was this just the best guy available, and you decided to give him a call and take a chance?
TV: No relationship at all. I never spoke to him. Honestly, I watch a lot of races, even when we’re not racing, and I keep an eye on young talent. I believe he is on the verge of being a generational talent. He’s got that “It.”
Q: Is the crew staying intact? Will Clinton Boyles still be with the team through Ohio Speedweek and moving forward?
TV: It is. Clinton Boyles and Nate Knotts are getting ready for Speedweek as we speak. Everything is OK on that end.
Q: The All Star Circuit of Champions pay owner’s points. Do you plan to stick with the series throughout the season with Buddy or a mix of other drivers?
TV: Our plan right now is to complete the All Star series. I think we are third and fourth in points, somewhere in there. My goal always is to win a championship, no matter where we are racing, whether it’s a local track, All Stars, or whatever. Until we are mathematically eliminated, if it gets to that point, our plan is to run the All Stars. It’s a nice check at the end of the year, and we look forward to and need that check at the end of the year, typically.
Q: Situations like this are always tough when you make a driver change. Moving forward, what is your plan for this team? Is it to keep building it into a bigger, better team, run with the All Stars and what is your vision for this team in the future?
TV: I definitely want to continue building it. We joined forces with Hunter [Schuerenberg], and I think we’ve built a little better each and every year. I think we are a solid program now with enough motors, chassis, parts, and that stuff to compete on a national level. We have no set plans for next year. I would just like to get through the year we are at and evaluate things. Hopefully, we can put something together with Buddy long term, and I would be open to anything at that point with a driver of his capabilities.
Q: Buddy ran some of these tracks when he first came to Ohio and has one at a few of them. How excited are you to get him in the car, put everything behind you, and move forward?
TV: I’m super-excited for it, and I know he is, too. He already said that he is going to Speedweek to win it. So, we’re excited for it, can’t wait for it to get here, get back on the track, and put some of this stuff behind us.