ROBBY SWITZER MAKES ASSAULT ON THUNDERCAR TITLE AT TRI-CITY
by Brian Spaid

May 6, 2005 

    Although many people thought that Robby Switzer would move into the Pro Stock class at Tri-City Speedway in 2005, the young racing ace decided to take one more shot at a track championship.

   When the Kennerdell driver joined the Thundercar division at the Venango County half-mile oval four races into the 2003 season, he became an immediate household name in racing circles. Winning his first three feature races, he established himself as a future star. He finished the season with six feature wins and earned the rookie of the year honors in his division.

   “We finished fourth in points that season,” recalled Switzer, who works at Franklin Bronze. “If we had finished the car on time, we probably would have had a great shot at the title.”

   After his success the prior season, Switzer entered 2004 with high hopes. Those dimmed in the first two weeks with broken wheels that relegated him to back-of-the-pack finishes while Don Blake Jr. of Titusville grabbed the early point lead. Switzer was unable to catch Blake in the end and the crafty veteran topped the sophomore sensation. In fact, Switzer finished runner-up only 19 points behind Blake.

  “We want to win that title this season,” said Switzer. “It feels great running well against other drivers like Blake, who have a lot of experience racing Pro Stocks.  He’s been out there running Pro Stocks for 15 years and we’re competing with him on the track. It gives me a lot more confidence.”

   Switzer admits that finances were a big part of his decision to run a third season in the Thundercars, but he also wants to obtain more time behind the wheel of a race car before he moves into the tough and competitive Pro Stock ranks.

   “More seat time is a big factor in racing. The more experience that I have in this class, the more comfortable I’m going to feel in the Pro Stocks. In that class, you need to learn how to drive the car and feather the throttle more. The rules and setups are different too, and I’d like to learn more about them this season.”

   One veteran driver that is giving advice to Switzer, 19, is former Sportsman Modified star Gerry Bruce of Franklin. Bruce resumed his racing career in 2004 with a Pro Stock owned by Ken Humanic of Titusville. Bruce and Humanic have developed a strong team, and a win is just around the corner for them.

   “I try to help Gerry and Ken at the track as much as possible. My work schedule at Franklin Bronze doesn’t let me get away too work as much during the week, but I do the best I can at the track.”

   Last September, after Tri-City’s final race, when Bruce was unable to drive the car, Humanic put Switzer behind the wheel at Sportsman’s Speedway in Knox. Before his first race, Switzer immediately sat with Bruce to learn his driving style.

   “I asked Gerry about everything, from feathering the throttle to how he gets into the turns. I went out there and did the best I could, and everything just went about perfect. It made my Thundercar feel like a go kart though.”

   In addition to his racing skills, Switzer’s success can be attributed to a lot of help and support from family and friends. In addition to his father, Robert, his crew consists of a large contingent from Kennerdell that includes Bruce Switzer, Tyler Bell, Dustin and Doug Cox, Eric Gourley, Jason Warner and Jake Sottiaux. After a feature win, Tri-City’s victory lane usually swells with Switzer’s huge fan base. After one win, over 35 people joined him for his winning pictures.

   This season, Switzer will race a 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo No. 97 with a red, white and blue paint scheme. His sponsors include B&M Floors and Sealy Bedding of Seneca, Jerlin Self Storage and Stuff and The Rockland Corner Store of Rockland, and Switzer’s uncle, John Schreck. The car, built by Joe Lockhart of Seneca, is expected to be a rocket.

   “I’d really like to give special thanks to Joe for building me a new car. We’re hoping to do real well with it this season.”

   With 11 career feature wins in the Thundercars, Switzer has received a lot of trophies. As his car graced the aisles of the Cranberry Mall racing show in March, Switzer downplayed his success.

   “There are a lot trophies on the roof of that car, but one is missing. The championship.”

   This season, Switzer may finally earn that coveted title.