After a few minutes into my interview, it was apparent that Nic at the age of twenty five, knows what it takes to be a successful businessman. I've bought racing parts from a lot of companies in the last thirty years, and I can tell you that some of the experiences were not very pleasant. If I still owned a modified, Pro Motor Sports would be my choice in buying parts. If your looking for a company that truly appreciates your business, I highly recommend you give Nic a call.
At what age did you first get started in racing?
I was twelve. I actually was interested at the time to get into junior dragsters. My mom, worked with a guy that built engines for junior dragsters and go carts. My dad and I went to his house to talk about building us an engine. He had two cage carts for sale, and we ended up bringing one home. I started in the junior class and raced at Wellington and Winfield. When I turned fifteen, I moved up to the adult class. I won one championship in the junior class, and two in the adult class.
Who helped you in your early days of racing?
Mom and dad helped me then, and are still big supporters in my racing.
When did you start working for Pro Motor Sports?
I actually started working at Fastrack at the age of fifteen. I worked there for a couple of years and then Bobby Bills asked me to come work with him in his race shop. That was when he first started building cars. After eight months, things got slow at the race shop and I ended up going to work for Larry at Pro Motor Sports.
Larry McDaniels had been the owner of Pro Motor Sports for many years. How did you get along with him?
I actually got along with him really good. He taught me the racing parts business, and probably wouldn't be able to run it as I do today, if it hadn't been for Larry.
When did you find out that he was selling Pro Motor Sports?
He actually came to my parents one evening, and explained to my dad that he wanted to sell the business to someone that was going to keep it going. He didn't want to sell it to someone that was just going to sell the inventory to make a quick buck. At that time, I had been working for Larry for three years, and he really wanted me to take over the business.
How old were you when you became president of one of the largest motor sports parts businesses in Kansas?
We took over the business in February of 2007, and I was twenty one at the time. At that age, you just don't walk into a bank and ask for money to buy a business. My parents stepped up and helped me purchase Pro Motor Sports. Without my parents support, it would have never happened.
Have you had the opportunity to talk to Larry after taking over the business?
I have. In fact, I sometimes talk to him once a month. He's in North Carolina, and works for a race parts outlet. I purchase some of the items they offer, and when I call a lot of times Larry answers the phone.
What year did you start driving a modified?
In 2006, I ran the rookie modified class at 81 Speedway, and won the championship. The next year, I had the choice of running the new AAA modified class, or the regular modifieds. I had decided my first year that I planned on running the rookie class one year and then move up to the regular modifieds my second year. I wanted to race against Brian Franz, Brian Powers, Marc Hurd and all the other good drivers. You'll never going to get to that level of racing unless you run against the best. I also wanted to race at some different tracks. At tracks like Thunderhill, Lakeside and others, they don't have but one class of modifieds. It was important for me to race with top racers at 81 Speedway, because at other tracks that's who you will be racing against.
Who helped you that first year?
Brad Johnston, Kenny Sweet and Brian Franz helped me a lot that first year. Kenny would make sure I parked beside him each week at the speedway, so he could help me with any questions I might have. Because of those guys, it was easier for me to move up the next year to regular modifieds.
Who builds your engines?
Bob Breising, who owns KBS Motors, has been not only a great engine builder, but also a big help with my racing.
Do you have an interest in Bill's Built cars?
It's actually a separate business. My parents own the property and he rents the building beside the parts building. We work really close together and having the businesses so close to each other, we offer the racer the complete package.
Was it a separate business when Larry owned Pro Motor Sports?
Yes, its always been two businesses.
How is your business relationship with Bobby Bills?
Excellent! He builds a quality product, and his customer service is second to none. A lot of my customers are his, and his mine. Both of us being at work all the time, I think gives us a big advantage when it comes to customer satisfaction.
How has the economy affected your business?
It's affected it quite a bit. The racing industry as a whole is down because of the economy. I've talked to a lot of other businesses in town, and they also have commented that the economy has affected their sales. The percentage we are down in the last four years is in line with other businesses. We watch our overhead and right now I'm the only employee that works at Pro Motor Sports. Pro Motor Sports is a solid company and I feel if we keep the doors open through the hard times, we will be even stronger when the economy gets better.
Smiley's is your only competion in Wichita. How has it affected your business since it's opening?
The racing community in Wichita is very strong, even though there are fewer racers in the last few years. The biggest advantage they have is selling Hoosier tires. Everyone that races at 81 Speedway buys their tires from them. The flip side of that is, fifty feet from my back door, is a very successful race car builder which helps my sales. Bobby builds a great car, but has no problem helping someone out on any chassis they race. We both feel that no mater what kind of car or what type of questions they may have, we will do our best to help however we can. For the most part, I feel Smiley's has customers that are loyal to them, and so does Pro Motor Sports.
How is your relationship with 81 Speedway?
I think our relationship is very good. I enjoy racing at 81 Speedway. I feel the atmosphere there is one of the best. C-Ray puts on a great program, and he has a lot of good people to make sure that happens. He has Warren Hardy, who is one of the best announcers in the business, and Dennis Kinkaid in the pits, who also does a good job. As a racer, I could race there every week, but as a racing parts business owner, I need to try to get customers through out the state. If I go to out of town race tracks and race a couple of weeks, then the racers will see a new car and number and maybe wonder who I am and what I do. Maybe, if they find out that I'm the owner of Pro Motor Sports, it could mean some new customers for me. We feel the race car can promote our business, so that's the reason we race out of town a lot. I hope people understand that were trying to make a living running our business, and we have to do whatever it takes to do that.
Who helps you on the modified team?
My mom and dad are the biggest help in funding and helping me at the race track. Greg Waldron joined our team late last year. He is stationed at Fort Riley and just loves dirt track racing. He came to Wichita one weekend and came by the shop just to look around. We started talking and I mentioned that we was racing at Lakeside the next weekend. He asked if he could come out in the pits and hang out. Since then, we have become good friends and he comes to almost every race now. He has become my crew chief and learned a lot in the past year.
What are your goals for Pro Motor Sports?
I would like to grow Pro Motor Sports into a business that could employ several people, and become a place where racers feel comfortable about coming in to ask for help or buy parts. My goal is to have Pro Motor Sports, one of the top leaders in selling racing parts in the Midwest, but not so big that we won't be able to continue giving the personal service that each and every customer deserves. I'm not that naive to know it will take a lot of work on my part, and the economy to get better. I love to race but the parts business is my main priority.
What would you like to accomplish with your modified team?
I would like to win more races. I don't point race because to me it takes the fun out of racing. I haven't won a lot of races because we race at a lot of different tracks. 81 Speedway has their stars and as does every race track in the state. When you go to different tracks, your racing the best of the best every night.
You recently won the “A” feature at Dodge City. Congratulations.
Yes, I was fortunate enough to start on the pole. It was the second race of the season and because we had engine problems the first week we started up front. The track was really rough and I started running the bottom and never got a challenge. That was my first feature I'd won in the last two years, so I was very happy when the checkered flag came out.
Is there anybody you would especially like to thank in either your racing or business?
My mom and dad first and foremost, my girlfriend Megan and my sister. Bobby Bills has been a great help in not only my racing but also in the business. All the loyal customers that has been coming into Pro Motor Sports not only to buy parts, but putting trust in me to provide those parts. I can't tell you how thankful I am for that opportunity.
Website to Pro Motor Sports http://www.pro-motorsports.net/servlet/StoreFront
Website to Bill's Built Race cars http://www.billsbuiltracecars.net
For racing news visit http://www.inthepits.net
For racing news visit http://www.whowon.com
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