WOO: Brad Doty Paces Kings Royal Four Abreast Lap
20 July 1998
By Richard DayROSSBURG, OH - Brad Doty's dream of circling Eldora Speedway again came true Saturday when he paced the Kings Royal 10 years after suffering career-ending injuries.
With his family, hundreds of fans in the stands and thousands watching live on TNN: The Nashville Network, Doty took hot laps around the high-banked, 1/2-mile oval in a #18 Coors Light sprinter - complete with a hand throttle and hand brakes - recreated by Larry Wood.
"That was absolutely awesome," Doty said. "What a great feeling."
Brad's nine-year-old daughter, Brittani, saw her father drive a sprint car for the first time. His other daughter, Brandy, and son, Braden, stood with his wife, Laurie, as Brad circled the track where is career ended 10 years ago.
"It's been a long, drawn out deal," an emotional Laurie said. "This is just Brad's way of saying farewell to this part of the sport."
Doty has been a member of the team of announcers who cover the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series on TNN: The Nashville Network for 2 1/2 years.
Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series drivers and mechanics were excited about having Brad back on the track.
"I like to remember Brad Doty from the good times," Andy Hillenburg said. "I remember the Ascot race where he slid it sideways, won the race, got out of the car and the tire popped. Brad Doty is a great racer. He still is, even though he can't get in there and participate with us. I wish he could."
Johnny Herrera was in his second full year of racing with the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series when Doty finished second in the point standings in 1987.
"When I started racing, he was one of the better racers around," Herrera said. "He always was. I always looked up to him. We had some good races together when I was a rookie. I think it's great to see Brad get back in a car. I know he wants to do it. He's excited about doing it. I think it's great for Brad Doty and the sport."
Danny Lasoski had this to say ... "It's been 10 years since he's been in a car and it's great having him back. I hope I'm on the front row because I want to be the first one who runs into him on the pace lap."
Sammy Swindell, who lined up outside the front row, tapped Doty from behind as he led the Kings Royal Four Abreast lap.
"Brad and I raced together when he drove the Bowers Coal car," Deuce Terrell said. "He's always been a good friend of mine. It's neat to see somebody who's been involved in a deal like that be able to come back and be involved and enjoy the sport."
Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series Founder and President Ted Johnson said, "I'm glad to see him back in sprint car racing even if it's on top (in the announcing booth). He's doing a good job."
Jac Haudenschild, a close friend of Doty's for years, said, "It's going to be neat for me to see him out there. I hope he doesn't want to stay out there and race, but he might."
Fifteen-time Pennzoil World of Outlaws championship car owner Karl Kinser had this to say ... "Brad is one of those misfortunes of racing, but one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to race with. I think this is the greatest thing that ever was that he can get back out and pace around. It'll do him good and me good to see him."
Former Coors Light teammate Steve Kinser said, "Any time Brad's around, it's a great feeling for me. I got really close with Brad and his family when we were teammates. We've missed him going up and down the road quite a bit.
"It's been nice since we've been doing the television, I've gotten to see a lot more of him. I'm sure he enjoys sitting there calling all these races, but he's always had a love for this, too. This is a thrill for me and I'm sure for him also."
Although Doty said Saturday's laps were his last, Joe Gaerte would like to see him pace more races.
"This is a really neat deal," Gaerte said. "I think this is something Brad would want to try to keep doing. It never goes away. Once you do it, sprint car racing is in your blood forever. I think it will be neat for everybody involved."
