FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Most national midget drivers that take time out of their winter holiday to compete at the Rumble in Fort Wayne come to the Allen County Coliseum Expo Center looking for a victory on the flat sixth-mile.

This year, fourth-year Rumble competitor Austin Nemire has different expectations, however.

Despite making the A-Main in his event debut as a 14-year-old rookie in 2013, finishing sixth in the Friday night A-Main, Nemire’s last two years of competition at the Expo Center have been frustrating for he and his Tom O’Connell-owned No. 19 team.

Various mechanical failures and circumstances out of his control have left the now-17-year-old wanting just one thing at this year’s 19th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne, set for New Year’s weekend, Dec. 30-31.

“I just want to make the feature again, man,” Nemire said in advance of this year’s Rumble. “Hopefully we can get over all the mechanical issues and different things that have derailed us the last few years. This is a track I like and it’s a track where we always seem to run well, we just can’t seal the deal and prove the speed we have … it seems like.”

Nemire, who ran the entire USAC Silver Crown Series schedule and finished eighth in points, says that he feels his prior experience at the Coliseum Expo Center will aid him in finally getting another solid finish at the annual indoor classic.

“It’s just a small little bullring … and I really like some of the tighter tracks. When I first started racing quarter midgets (which are also competing at this year’s Rumble), that was all we ran was these types of tight ovals. Obviously, you can’t compare the two cars, of course … but I’ve always liked the bullrings. It’s close racing with people, and if you know how to race them then you can usually be successful.”

“It’s kind of a quirky track, but I like it because of that. It’s different than anything else we usually race and that makes it fun for me … so hopefully, we can recapture some of the magic we had (in 2013) and have a positive memory this time around.”

Another key point that Nemire referenced was how important qualifying always is at the Rumble and other, similar indoor events.

“You have to set yourself up at the beginning of the weekend … by qualifying well, running well in your heat race and getting a decent starting spot, because on a track like the Expo Center, it’s pretty tough to pass … so starting strong really builds your momentum for the rest of the night and the rest of the weekend, as well.”

Nemire’s hope is that a good finish will propel him forward with some positive momentum as he also begins preparing for the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, Jan. 10-14 on the dirt of the River Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“A good finish would definitely be great momentum and a huge confidence-builder for me, not just for our pavement indoor program but for me as a driver going into the Chili Bowl next month,” the Ohio teenager said. “It would make me happy … because then we know we can do it and we know we have the car underneath us. I’m praying that we have no problems, because if we make the feature then my goal is to chase a win.”

But for now, the third-youngest starter in Rumble in Fort Wayne history has his blinders on and a singular focus, based around a quote first uttered by four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Rick Mears:

“To finish first, you must first finish.”

Or in Nemire’s case, qualify in.

Race Chaser Online will have continuing pre-event coverage of the 19th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne all week long, as well as live updates during both race days on Friday and Saturday.

For schedule information and entry lists for the Rumble in Fort Wayne, visit www.rumbleseries.com.

About the Writer

Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.

Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.

The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as both the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series and the co-track announcer at Millbridge Speedway.

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