We caught up with Dustin Jarrett as he prepares to get ready not just for Thanksgiving but Gateway Dirt Nationals. DJ is one of the faces and voices of FloRacing. Together with Ben Shelton this duo are the best in the business behind the mic and in front of the cameras. Thank you Dustin for taking time to chat with us!
Photo Credit - Ryan Roberts Photography
LP - How old were you when you attended your first race and what track?
DJ - I'm not sure, but I know I was young ... probably four or five years old. We had a track about five miles from our house called St. Clairsville Speedway that we would go to on Friday nights. When they closed in 1986, I was devastated.
LP - What year did you start announcing?
DJ - I announced my first race in 1995. I was 15 years old at the time. When the announcer at R&R Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio wasn't there one night, I told the promoter I would do it the next time they needed someone. He asked what I charge and, being young and wanting to get a foot in the door, I told him I'd do it for free. The next week, I was in the booth
LP - It takes a lot of research to jump from announcing at different tracks and series explain to our readers how do you prepare notes on the different drivers?
DJ - A lot of that depends on the situation and who I'm announcing with. The notes and information Ben Shelton gathers is different from what James Essex gathers. So I try to grab something different on race nights. I keep a running list with most of the nationally-known drivers with their accomplishments and so on. For Eldora's big races, I have a special list that I use that focuses on Dream and World 100 history.
LP - You are well known to visit many tracks how many are you up to now? What track would you like to visit that you haven't seen yet?
DJ- Oh man, haha. I'm up to 315 different tracks that I've seen a race at. I still have a few "bucket list" tracks or events. The Chili Bowl is high on that list, but it's difficult for me to attend because we've got the Wild West Shootout the same week. I also need to see a race in Alaska, which is the only state I haven't been to. And I need to see a race in Rhode Island, which currently does not have any active tracks.
LP - Who did you look up to get into the profession?
DJ - I guess I'm like anyone else ... I have a lot of influencers who guided me and helped me along the way. Steve Davis, the weekly announcer at Tyler County Speedway, really took me under his wing when I was younger and gave me a lot of sound advice. And then, as I started branching out a little more, James Essex was the one who recommended I replace him on the Battle of the Bluegrass Tour when he was helping get the Lucas Oil Series (then called "NARA") up and going
LP - Most memorable moment while behind the mic?
DJ - There's been several. The inaugural Gateway Dirt Nationals was certainly a big highlight, as well as announcing my first World 100 back in 2010. But my most memorable moment behind the mic has to be the 2015 Dirt Late Model Dream when, after a wild finish, Scott Bloomquist was 25 lbs. light at the scales. Nearly in unison, James Essex and I called out, "There's No Green Light!". It was a truly monumental moment in Dirt Late Model racing history.
LP - The Gateway Dirt Nationals are coming up how cool is it to do that race compared to the others?
DJ - Man, it's just so cool. The atmosphere is truly unique and the crowd is a big part of that. We're racing indoors in the winter and you have this massive, enthusiastic crowd mixed with an event that truly anybody can win. It all adds up to a really big three days.
LP - If they would do a walk out song at Gateway what would your song be?
DJ - Hahaha, I feel like I can't win no matter what I pick here. Probably "Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks because it just seems to fit my life!
LP - I know Eldora is extra special to you, how cool is it they will have the DTWC next year.
Photo Credit - Ryan Roberts Photograpghy
DJ - You know, I think it's a neat deal that they were able to work out for next year with that. Eldora will always have a special place in my heart for the years I spent announcing there. And the DTWC does too, as that's an event that's never been more than three hours from home. There may be some who think it gives Eldora too many "big" races, but I disagree. I think the world's most popular dirt track has earned each and every big event it hosts.
LP - Any advice to the younger generation to follow in your footsteps?
DJ -Take chances. Don't be afraid to ask, and don't be afraid of being told "no". Be willing to work for next to nothing to get your foot in the door, but also know that your time and talent has a price tag too. Ask for help when you need it. Go above and beyond, even when you don't feel like it. And remember: you're not the entertainment, you're the informant
Photo Credit - Ryan Roberts Photography
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