HOLLY, Mich. — Must See Racing has been sold and longtime CEO and President of the series, Jim Hanks, will step away from day-to-day operations of the series immediately.
The timing of the sale comes less than six weeks before the opening weekend is set to kick off the 16th season of racing for the 410 winged asphalt sprint car series.
Longtime Must See Racing official Tony Roberts will assume ownership of the series. The Indiana native began his tenure in auto racing in an official’s capacity in the early1990s while living in California. His brother Dan Roberts was working at Ventura Raceway. He was heading up a local karting club that raced at the track and asked Tony for a hand.
Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Roberts moved to Bakersfield, California after a stint in the United States Air Force.in the late 1980s.
Shortly after his Ventura Raceway stint, Roberts landed a job with the USAC Western States Series. During his tenure with the USAC, he held several prominent roles within the series under the tutelage of Tommy Hunt.
After moving back to the Midwest in 2013, Roberts took a position of Track Director with Must See Racing. He was immediately impressed with 410 winged pavement sprint car racing noting that it was exciting and captivating.
“It’s an honor to be able to acquire such a historic series,” stated Roberts. “Jim Hanks has done a remarkable job establishing a brand-name brand with great drivers and exciting racing. I already have a great relationship with the teams from my time as an official. I hope to honor the traditions and build on what Jim and Nancy have established for years to come.”
Hanks, 78, caught the racing bug as a small child while attending races at Motor City Speedway in Detroit. He instantly caught the racing bug and soon began racing go-karts. He would purchase sprint cars and USAC Silver Crown cars in the mid 1990s. His cars were a regular staple at USAC Sprint Car, USAC Silver Crown and Super Sprints events. Notable drivers include Kevin Feeney, Aaron Pierce, Mike Ling and Curt Shumaker.
Hanks, along with his wife Nancy of 56 years, founded Must See Racing as a motorsport’s television production entity in 2008.
After difficulties convincing two rival series to work together in an effort to produce sufficient car counts for his nationally televised events, Hanks decided to form his own series so he could have control of every aspect of his events from start to finish. He believed creating his own series was essential to producing quality winged pavement sprint car events for national television audiences.
In 2011, the Must See Racing Sprint Series was born. The series had a strong presence in the Midwest. The Michigan-based series has competed in 13 different states. The sanctioning body has also included Supermodifieds and 602 Crate Sprint Cars under its umbrella in the past.
“For over thirty years I have been blessed with the privilege to participate as a car owner and as the founder and owner of Must See Racing which has been an important business endeavor and a responsibility to best represent our sport providing racing entertainment for the fans and value for the teams, tracks, sponsors and all the stakeholders,” Hanks said.
“Positively contributing to racing has been important and a key part of my life, however, I must immediately and unconditionally retire from the business of racing for the wellbeing of my family, my health and the future of MSR.
“My gratitude for the business and personal support over the years is beyond measure and I thank everyone,” Hanks said, “our staff, the teams, tracks, multimedia partners, sponsors, fans and most importantly my wife Nancy. Moving forward under the direction and management of the experienced and capable hands of longtime MSR official Tony Roberts the future of Must See Racing is strong, very strong. “
