Conversation: Andy Belmont

FT. WORTH, Texas -- The lack of 43 fully-sponsored cars in the Nextel Cup Series has created a unique situation, one that can be seen two different ways:

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Andy Belmont definitely sees it as the latter point. A lot of attention has been paid to his issue in 2004, and Belmont is one of the drivers trying to break into this exclusive enclave.

Belmont has made two starts and pocketed $106,115 for running just 149 laps. This has led to criticism that teams were simply taking advantage of the $50,000 teams can get for finishing last.

Not so, Belmont says. In a story last week in USA Today, Belmont helped lay out his expenses. Nearly all the money is spent before the car even makes it to the track.

The weekend at Texas Motor Speedway was a painful one for Belmont. Actually, it wasn't even a weekend. It was only one day, because his No. 02 Pontiac was too slow to make the field.

Belmont had a horrible qualifying draw -- he had to go out fifth -- and trying to compensate, he got the car loose in Turn 3, backing the car into the wall, destroying a rear clip that the team couldn't afford to destroy. It was a devastating blow to Belmont, who badly needed the $70,000 he would have received for starting the race with the third-largest purse on tour.

NASCAR.COM's Ryan Smithson talked with Belmont after the first practice at Texas.

	Belmont (right) and Andy Hillenburg are among the group of drivers branded "field-fillers" in Nextel Cup this year. Credit: Autostock

Andy, you kind of look a little dejected. I know you have to race your way in, and it does not look good.

Andy Belmont: No. I just can't drive it no harder there in Turn 1. You know, we are a little bit off in Turn 3. It's just -- we've got a better motor and we're better, but we're not near close, you know?

It looks like this is when people realize this is where your $50,000 a race goes.

Belmont: Yeah, people don't have a clue. The $50,000 a race does not put a dent into what we really need.

We need to be able to test, and our guys have their tongues hanging out. There is just so much there. We're already handicapped, and (since we didn't) come here and test, it's a big deal.

You guys have got to start this race.

Belmont: Yeah. You know, you can't keep going to the next one unless you get in this one. It's kill or be killed right now, and it doesn't look good.

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I was reading the online column that you have and you think the media is beating up on you guys a little bit?

Belmont: No, I don't think so much, it's just select people. For the most part, most of the media guys that have been around a long time understand the play of the small man trying to make it. It's just a select few that sensationalize what is going on, and for some reason, we're the story this year.

It's always been a part of NASCAR's top series, why the focus now? Why the big deal?

Belmont: I haven't got a clue. It's just what it is right now. The gap is wider than it's ever been, that is the problem, and that creates some of the ill feelings, however they are directed. It's not that there hasn't always been haves and have-nots, it's just the spread between them is as big as its ever been.

You're 45 years old. You've been in ARCA, been very successful, why try now? Are you just trying to get a sponsor and become a full-time regular, even if it's as a struggling independent?

Belmont: I'd like to be a regular. This is the NFL. Every kid that comes out of the collegiate ranks, even if they are a walk-on, they want to try. A smarter man probably wouldn't be here.

You said you couldn't understand why people boo Jeff Gordon. Why is that?

Belmont: I don't understand why when a guy shows he's one of the very best -- I think what happens is people mix what's been made of the personal side into the whole thing. You know, they booed Earnhardt, they boo Gordon and I've never understood that. I've just never don't booed anybody.

Man's out there giving his all and happens to be one of the best. It's fine that people have a different feeling, but I guess it's the society we live in. Freedom of speech.

Your ARCA team is your livelihood, your life. I guess people don't realize that you've had to actually raid it and risk that to jump to Nextel Cup. You've had to sell some of your cars.

Belmont: Yeah. It's not a terminal situation, but we started the season, we were really comfortable to run a two-car deal on the ARCA side and we've given some of that up, and it's probably going to put me in a position where I may not get to run some of the races over there.

You know, I am 45 years old; this is probably my last shot at it. If something does not happen pretty soon, the handwriting is on the wall.

This is a young man's sport. I am just still chasing a dream. I am like the starry-eyed kid in the grandstands.

What happens if you miss this race, Andy?

Belmont: We go home, lick our wounds, and see if we can put something together for the next one. I hate to tell you that we are week-to-week, but we are.

How much does it cost to come here and attempt to qualify? It costs $50,000 if you make it, what does it cost to miss it?

Every bit of the starting money is spent. It's a trade-out at best for second-class equipment. Some of the engine leases over here are $80,000 to $100,000 a race. If I was buying motors for $25,000, we are not buying everyone's best stuff for that kind of money. We're upside down we when pull the hauler out of the driveway.

And you pretty much drive for free, right?

Belmont: Well, I don't take a salary. Everything goes back into the company. It's that simple.

You ever been in this kind of pressure before?

Belmont: When I ran Cup in 1992, it was a similar situation, not as intense as it is now, but yes, I've been under this pressure, and it ain't for everybody.

It may break me. I am not ashamed to tell you that my confidence level is...it's really hard to be confident when you beat up on some of these kids in other series and they come here and it makes me think twice for the whole thing.

What teams have been quick to help you guys out, or has that even happened?

Belmont: Believe it or not, there has been so much help for us over here. The Roush guys have helped us a lot. Richard Childress has had very encouraging words. Richard Petty is parked next to us here. Very helpful. I can't even tell you where all the tires and stuff are coming from. Getting tips and setups.

Tommy Baldwin has been great. There has been an outpouring of help inside the garage. I am honored that some of the people even talk to me to begin with, much less help us.

When The King comes over and puts his arm around you, and says, "Things are looking up," you know, I don't know how to put it into words. I just don't. Kind of like you're in the ring with Ali, and he's going, "You're welcome here." I don't know how else to put it.

Are you shocked at all the USA Today stuff that came out and the attention that you got from that?

Belmont: I am shocked, surprised, more than anything I underestimated the microscope this sport is under now more than ever.

I think probably what I have learned the most about this whole episode is to be very careful about what you say to whom because something that is a joke, or what I think is a joke, is really misconstrued and said in a bad light.

And you're talking about when you were joking about using ehpedra.

Belmont: Well, I hate to use the word, but anyone who knows me knows that this is my sense of humor. And it just bit me. I am really surprised at the attention that a guy next to the slowest guy here is getting print. It does not make any sense to me.

They should be talking about how great Terry Labonte is at Texas, or how they should be talking about Ricky Rudd being an ironman. There are so many things in this garage that they should be talking about, and I am the last guy in the world people ought to be talking about. Bottom line.