INDIANAPOLIS — He is one of America’s premier short-track racers, successfully pursuing his dream of making a living by going fast.
Bobby Santos III had a pretty good summer. A versatile summer. During the span of a few weeks in August and September, he won the prestigious Night Before the 500 midget race at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, the Little 500 sprint car race at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway and the Musket 200 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
It was an impressive stretch and another reminder that this guy is the real deal.
A number of years ago (14 to be exact), I wrote a column that clumsily and unintentionally gave the impression that Santos was a privileged rich kid like so many others. I have regretted that column from the day it was published because that characterization is simply not accurate. Santos and his family are old-school, blue-collar people who have worked hard for everything they have accomplished.
My writing misstep aside, it’s been fun to watch Santos develop through the years. From the beginning he was steady and smooth, and seemed to be immune from the irrational moments that plague most young racers. He mastered the art of being fast without being erratic and he soon developed the reputation of what was once called a “money” racer.
For a car owner, a “money” racer gets you to the pay window and leaves you with a car that rolls into the trailer in one piece, a guy who can keep you in business. Just the type of guy you want in your car.
That has been Santos, all along. He’s won lots of races but used up very little in the way of equipment or people.
One of the great mysteries of our time is how it is decided which drivers “move up” to the top leagues of the sport. Money, of course, sets the path for many young racers and assures them of every opportunity. Aside from that, talent is usually the driving force. Or at least it should be.
About 10 years ago, Santos ran some ARCA and NASCAR Xfinity Series races, but for whatever reason wasn’t able to find a home in big-league stock car racing. Undaunted, he returned to short-track racing and in the years since has established himself as one of the best in the business.
The fact that Santos is not racing on Sundays with the NASCAR Cup Series is difficult for me to understand. There are a dozen or more racers today who could be in the conversation of “should have” made it to the Cup Series; but Santos is a cut above almost all others because he clearly has the ability and the disposition. Yet it didn’t happen.
When you talk with Santos, you’ll hear no sour grapes. No whining, no feeling sorry for himself. Instead of playing “what if,” he focuses on the next task at the shop, the next road trip, the next race.
As it should be. Great racers don’t make excuses and they don’t look back. There isn’t any percentage in it.
One of the joys of writing about racing for many years is watching young drivers become middle-aged drivers. Santos is 35 now, a respectable and responsible adult with an adult life. The slender boy with dark eyes filled out into a man, but there are still remnants of the exciting kid from Massachusetts who eventually moved to Indiana.
There is still the high-pitched voice and the easy laugh. There is the genuine nature of his conversation, an earnestness that reveals a level of maturity that is good. There is still his ability to do impressive things in the race car, things that make you shake your head in wonderment.
Regardless of where Santos did — or doesn’t — end up, I hope he realizes what a great career he’s had thus far. It’s been impressive, it’s been successful and it’s been memorable. He is a proven winner and it’s fair to say that he’s just now entering his prime racing years. It’s likely that we’re going to see this guy continue to win in anything he decides to drive.
It’s been a good summer for Bobby Santos III. A good, versatile summer. We’re not the least bit surprised.