4/7/2008

A Shove Off To Victory
by Gene Ostrowski

   On any given weekend many folks head out to area race tracks to see the local talent. On occasions the show might seem to take too long to get off to a start, but on the other hand some weekends run flawless. The realization is that it’s all up to the people who are “behind the scenes”, especially when it applies to sprint car racing.
    Tom Scholvin is one of many push truck drivers at Selinsgrove Speedway. Being that sprint cars do not have clutches, a “push”, or shove off is required for sprint cars to get started before rolling off to join the starting grid in an event.
    Like Selinsgrove, with limited rules and usually free admission, many dirt and clay tracks allow folks to use their trucks as push off vehicles. Typically there isn’t any payback, except the opportunity to be part of the show, in some sense.
    For many, the job probably appears easy, but like anything else, it takes ease, patience and a good “feel” for what’s ahead. Overall, it takes experience to be a push truck driver.
    Scholvin’s parents used to have season tickets on the top row of the grandstand right across from the announcer's tower at Selinsgrove- that was in the 1960s. Once he turned 16 his father allowed him to put a wooden bumper on their 1961 pickup and take it to the track as a push truck. He recalled, “Having three grown children of my own, I now realize how scary that must have been for him!”
    Like today, every fan had their favorites on the speedway and at the time his were Roy "Check" Adams, Paul Long, Larry Hare, Tommy Spriggle and Lenny Erb.
    Just to give an idea to the devotion to this track- the track hosts yearly memorial events for two of the racers he mentioned.
    The amount of sprinters that Scholvin shoved off is many, but he recalls pushing off favorites such as Bobbie Adamson, Jan Opperman, Billy Cassela, and Tommy Spriggle.
    Back in his heyday, his younger brother, Gary, who was then about 11 or 12 years old used to him in the truck. Today he is now the "wrench man" for the Chris Shuey late model team and has also worked in the same capacity in the past with Donnie Schick.
    Years passed, and upon graduation from college, Tom continued to push off the sprinters until 1980, when he left the high school classroom as a teacher and became a building principal in another part of the state.
    He recently retired after 18 years as a school district superintendent, yet continues to teach graduate education courses at Immaculate University near Philadelphia.
    Tom did manage to make the trek to Selinsgrove every weekend over the last three seasons and says that he enjoys every moment.
    “After visiting the track on a ‘lark’, I again got the ‘bug’ and I haven't missed a race in the last three years. “I’m again serving as a push truck driver and you can't beat the excitement of the pits- mingling with the teams and drivers and pushing off the sprinters. “And keeping low on the track as they blow past you on the backstretch!”
    He recalled one night last season when his parents decided to head to the track after a 30-year hiatus and his dad accompanied him in his push truck.
    After decades, Tom continues to support local short track racing, even after many years away from the sport. “That experience (driving a push truck) renewed my admiration and respect for all race drivers out there”, he said. “It's a shame that more people don't come out and experience the local racing. “Some of the best drivers and racing takes place here right in our back yard”.
    Tom believes that it's one of the few sports these days where the participants can truly be called "role models".
    He doesn’t receive “fame” from working behind the scenes, but gratification for involved with the show. To date, Tom Scholvin won’t trade his “pushing” experiences at Selinsgrove for the world.
    Push truck drivers are usually welcomed at many dirt facilities. If interested, contact your local speedway for details.