Media

The following article by sports editor, Brian Smith, appeared in the May 12th issue of the Corydon Democrat. Visit their website at www.CorydonDemocrat.com.

Orme sets sights on UMRA series, Tony Stewart title

Driver Joins Koontz Racing

By: Brian Smith

May 12, 2010

A post on a website drew the attention of three-quarter midget owner Michael Koontz.

It was a "Driver For Hire" advertisement Central's Scotty Orme posted on www.indianaopenwheel.com and, in late August, Koontz contacted Orme about joining the Koontz Racing team. Koontz races in the United Midget Racing Association and was looking to expand his team to two, possibly three, cars.

"Michael contacted me, and we hit it off," Orme said. "We ran two races with him at the end of last season, and we're getting started on this season, hoping to develop into a strong team."

Orme, 21, enters the season as confident as ever, beginning his seventh season in the cockpit. For two seasons, Orme raced in mini-cups before venturing into mini-sprints for a pair of seasons followed by the past two years turning left in stock cars.

"The past two years were tough in the stocks," Orme said. "Last year, we would run decent but it was typically mechanical issues that caused bad luck. We would win or finish second in heat races, then have problems when we were running good in the feature."

Orme still has his street stock in the garage, but the focus has shifted back to open-wheel racing.

Koontz Racing has built a new three-quarter midget for Orme; it has a No. 16 decal on the rear of the Honda 750 engine that produces 140 horsepower.

Orme was able to join his connections to the Koontz operation. His father, Randy, serves as the crew chief and his mother, Bonnie, is the data recorder and photographer.

"My family is still heavily involved in racing, traveling to the races," Scotty Orme said.

His cousin, Dickey Garmon, is still on board as a mechanic, helping with race-day set up.

The quest to become a professional driver is still within the drive of Orme. In the Indiana-based UMRA, racers will visit dirt and asphalt tracks ranging from 1/6 to 3/8 miles in circumference. The racing series has been around since 1961 and has produced one of auto racing's most familiar faces in NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.

"Tony Stewart owns a car in the series, and the Rookie of the Year award is named after him," Orme said. "The Tony Stewart Rookie Challenge gives bonuses each week for the highest finishing rookie and a year-end award. That is what I will be chasing for."

Orme is hoping success in the UMRA leads to a shot at a bigger racing series.

"NASCAR is where everyone wants to get to, but my goal is to get an opportunity in the ARCA series," Orme said. "I'd like to eventually get back into stock cars. But this open-wheel opportunity is a way for me to get more seat time and exposure."

Orme has debuted an updated website, www.scottyorme.com, that will feature updated news, photos and video of the team.

"I have an in-car camera set up, so fans can ride along with me," Orme said.

Nicknamed Copperhead after the dirt track at the Orme house, Orme is excited about working with Koontz Racing.

"In the past, we have started with used cars, basically junk, and had to work tirelessly to get the cars running up to speed," he said. "This is the first time we've started with a new car. We are as confident and excited as we've ever been."

This weekend, Orme is pulling double duty. He is slated to make the season debut at Bloomington Speedway (dirt) Friday and at Brownstown Speedway (dirt) on Saturday. The first several events have been postponed due to inclement weather.

"Brownstown is the closest track to Harrison County," Orme said. "It's a good location for family and friends to drive out to see our team race."

Returning local sponsors include H&R Block (Corydon), KFC (Corydon), Mel and Gina Markins, Garmon's Farm, Sandy's Nu Look Beauty Salon, Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change, Trusty and Sons Tire Co. and Superior Signs by Melissa.

Koontz Racing Team sponsors include Lineal Contracting (Bedford), North American Race Gear, Woods Electrical Contractors Inc. and Leader's Edge.

The Koontz Racing Team will field the No. 17 car driven by owner Michael Koontz on a full-time basis, and Ryan Koontz, Michael's cousin, will drive the No. 18 on a part-time basis.

The full schedule of races is listed on Orme's website.