Published: June 22, 2006 03:12 pm         

More than laps

DUNCAN — Finding a niche in life is something that some people can never manage. For Duncan’s Scotty Durant, his spot was established at an early stage in life at the racetrack. He started racing at age 14, and has continued his pursuit at race wins and championships from that point. Durant’s love of racing is superseded only by his love for his family — which is convenient because his family is closely tied to his racing.

“My mom was carrying me when I went to the track for the first time,” Durant said. “It’s a big part of the family. It’s something that I’ve done all my life.”

To this day, Durant is family and race-oriented. He claims that his racing days are nearing the end, and that his relationship with his father, Kenny Durant Sr., is the reason he started and why he still drives around the dirt tracks.

“My dad is the main reason why I do it now,” Durant said. “When he can’t be a part of it anymore, then I’m probably done. It’s that important to me, to do it for him. Every championship is special, mainly because of him. It just puts him on Cloud Nine.”

Durant and his wife of one year, Shelly, took their love of racing to the ultimate level last year by getting married on July 2 at Lawton Speedway. The ceremony was followed by the race, which Durant won.

“It may seem strange to some people,” Shelly Durant said. “But we both love racing, so it seemed perfect.”

Through eight races at the Lawton Speedway, Durant sits in first place in the points total in the Factory Stock race series. Durant has amassed 1,620 points, giving him a 60-point lead over Cache’s Rodney Barker, who has raced in all eight races.

Durant has competed in only seven races, putting him at a disadvantage in the tabulations. Two wins and six top-five finishes have enabled him to get over the numbers game, though. In the Lawton Speedway points system, 50 points go for first, 40 for second, 30 for third, 20 for fourth and 10 for fifth. Continuing to get top-five finishes is Durant’s formula for a season championship.

“I have to pick up top-five finishes,” Durant said. “A couple of wins, and the points will work themselves out and we’ll have another championship.”

Winning the championship would be nothing new for him. He won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004, but took time off last season to concentrate on his father’s health. With Kenny Sr. feeling better this season, the competition is once again forced to deal with dominance that Durant and his team have shown throughout their time at the speedway.

The support from his team is something that Durant credits to the success of his No. 18 car. He has the help of his father, wife, sister, brother and friends every night that he competes. He has been partnered with Jerry Sokolosky in car ownership for the past six seasons, and relies on the pit help from crew chief Eli Farley. The collaborative effort from all involved is another reason why he wins, despite not having the financial clout that some of his opponents possess.

“A lot of times, the other drivers have more money in their cars than I do,” Durant said. “That’s a big thrill to take something with less, and beat guys with more.

“I have guys who are there to back me up and help with the car. I couldn’t do it without my team. We have people who tune up the car, set it up and make the adjustments from track to track. I have a good team to keep the car in tiptop shape.”

The Lawton Speedway is a dirt track course with straight-aways and curves. Navigating and figuring out the course condition is a constant challenge, and one that he enjoys.

“The track changes throughout the night,” Durant said. “It starts out wet, then it’s sticky and then it’s dry. You have to adjust and predict to the track’s condition. It’s one of the best things about racing. To know that you and your team did the right thing to adjust to the track feels good.”

Along with Durant, area racers Mike Jackson, Kevin Frost and Travis Bragg are having solid seasons in the Factory Stock circuit in Lawton. Jackson sits in sixth, Frost in 12th and Bragg in 15th. Jackson has won once this season, and has four top-10 finishes. Frost has four top-10s, while Bragg has two top-10s. They are all friends, and work together to help each other out with racing.

“We do whatever we can to help Duncan-Stephens County racers,” Durant said. “We try to help each other. There’s a big representation of Stephens County racers in Lawton.”

The draw to the Factory Stock races came on a single night encounter for Durant. He was originally going to try it out, but 16 years later, the series has become his race.

“It is the most fun class for me,” Durant said. “You can have a lot of power, and a lot of speed for the least amount of money. We’re pushing 90 miles per hour on the straight-aways, and then you have to turn left.”

The Lawton Speedway series races every Saturday night. Durant will be there this weekend trying to increase his point’s lead, along with spending time with his family.

“I love what I’m doing in racing,” Durant said. “There’s such a thrill in winning a championship. I’m getting to the point where we’ll probably slow down after this year. To win one more before I quit would be wonderful.”

     

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