“Digging Deep With Denise” is a semi-regular question and answer feature with local racers and racing personalities produced by RaceDayCT’s Denise DuPont
Steve Seuss – Spending Your Kids Inheritance Racing …
Like so many of the current NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers, Andy Seuss, from Hampstead, NH, parents started the family race dream. Andy’s father, Steve Seuss started his own racing career competing in Snowmobile races. Then as the family grew, most family Sunday’s were spent watching racing at local Go-Kart tracks. But once the family got the race bug, the Seuss family race team moved from Go-Karts to SuperModifieds and then to the Tour Type Modifieds where they found their home.
What made you get interested in racing?
“Originally racing was an easy way to spend a Sunday afternoon at the Go-Kart track. That was where it started. But it did not stay just fun for very long. It got serious pretty quick.”
Where did the racing go from the go-kart racing?
“Next it was the 350 Super Modified. That was the first full size car and we did pretty well right off. I think we won the fourth time out with that division. We did that for a year and then a partial season. We then graduated up to the Modifieds.”
Which type of racing do you like the best?
“The Modifieds for sure. They are the most exciting open wheel, bouncing off cars a little bit. It is great racing as long as they do not wreck. When you see the sparks flying it is just good tight racing. It is a lot of fun and is very competitive.”
Would you say racing is your hobby?
“Racing has become recently more a hobby. We did a lot more of it in years past. Now we get as much of it in as we can. But we don’t go chasing points. We pick and choose weekends that are open with Andy’s Cup schedule. We will probably get in a half a dozen races in this year. We will do a couple of nights at New Smyrna and stuff like that.”
What racing memory stands out above them all?
“That is a tough one. New Smyrna Speedweeks Championship was a big one. Probably the first win at Seekonk [Speedway]. And the two Southern Modified Tour championships were huge. That was the culmination of the season and all those wins were sweet and the championship at the end was huge.”
What is your goal for 2021?
“Our goal is to finish well and in one piece obviously. We would love to get a win on the northern tour. But it is awful have doing it part time. These guys are in the shop non-stop. But if we can keep finishing with top tens and fives, we are happy.”
How is it being part of a racing family?
“It is awesome. Being a part of the bigger racing family is the best part of racing. Meeting all the people, hanging out with the kids and the grandkids, family and friends – that is what it is all about. ”
If you had to do it all over again, would you?
“Yup! That is an easy question to answer. It is a good way to spend your weekends. And you spend your kid’s inheritance buying tires and stuff. ”
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Bobbi Seuss – The Memories and Friends of Racing …
The Seuss Family is a true race family where the need for speed is matched with friendship and extended race family ties. No one ever goes hungry, is cold or looking for a place to sleep as long as Andy’s Mom, affectionately known as Bobbi, is around.
What made you get interested in racing?
“My husband. He used to race snowmobiles. And when we were fourteen, we used to go to Star Speedway. He had a gentleman that he worked for that did the Big Block Supers. And we followed that tour around for a while.”
What do you remember most about Andy’s first win?
“I wasn’t there. I will never forget it because I was not there. Sam, Scott and everybody was there at Star Speedway. It was his first big win in his 350 Super.”
Which type of racing do you like the best?
“The Modifieds. … There is more action. The driving takes more skill when you are running tire to tire, bumper to bumper. Modified racing still gives me chills. I just love it.”
Would you say racing is your hobby?
“That is a hard question to answer. I would say we have made racing our life. Which sometimes I think that it is good and sometimes I thing that it is bad. It is a very tricky business to be involved in. There is a lot of emotion along with a lot of great people. I could not find a better group of people that we have met along the way and the memories that we have made. That part of it is just amazing.”
What racing memory stands out above them all?
“Oh gosh, there are too many. The people that we have lost along the way. We have so many memories. We have had a great time. The laughs, the mini golf, going out to dinner, banquets. … It is all that. The friends, the family, the travel, all of it.”
What is your goal for 2021?
“Right now with Andy working for the Cup team, I of course would rather absolutely do more [Modified] races. I would like to be more prepared. I would like to run up front, obviously I am competitive. However Andy has taken off in a direction that he loves which is awesome for him. So just having fun and meeting up with family and friends and trying to do the best we can.”
How is it being part of a racing family?
“It is awesome. Meeting people, hanging out with family, friends and kids – that is what it is all about. People though sometimes get too caught up in it. The have to take a step back and think of the people that support them and appreciate them because that is the best part of it. ”
If you had to do it all over again, would you?
“Stupidly enough, yes. Yes I would, I love everything about it. Though I want to hate it sometimes, it is just one of those sports that has so much emotion. I have to go back to the people, the friends, the kids. It has been 24 to 29 years that we have been racing and we did other stuff before that.”
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