SHEAR NAME STILL GOING STRONG IN MID-AMERICAN

Topics:  Kyle Shear, Troy Shear Jr.

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
March 2008

Second Cousins. That is the relationship between Midwest racing legend Joe Shear and the two Mid-American standouts who share the last name, Kyle and Troy Jr. “Every track we go to I've had at least one person come up and ask me what our relation was to Joe so I definitely think there is a lot of added pressure to that,” said Kyle. “A lot of people see the name and expect us to be good because of it,” he added.

The brothers from Roscoe, Illinois differed on their opinions. “A lot of people know that this was pretty much our first year in any race car. They were really surprised that we did as well as we did. Maybe will expect a little more out of us with the Shear name this year,” stated Troy.

The Shear boys’ story is unique to most race car drivers. “Racing was something I always pushed for as a kid,” said Troy, “it just didn’t materialize.” However, the dream for the Shear boys to race came true after Troy returned from an internship at “the place where dreams come true.”

“I returned from an internship at Disney World and there were two cars in the shop,” said Troy. One of the cars was purchased from Mid-American front runner Jaime Dorsey and the other was a Shear house car. Troy took Troy Sr.’s number six and Kyle slapped a seven on the side of his new ride.

Of course, that urge to race had to materialize from somewhere. The Shear kids followed their dad to the track as he chased the Mid-American Stock Car Series in the mid to late 1990s as a driver and then later as a car owner.

In those days, it was not rare for Mid-American to be a support class for ARTGO. So when the Shear boys went to see their dad in the pits after an event, they would normally find him talking to Joe. “We were pretty young, we would be there when my dad was talking to him and we would get to talk to him too a little bit,” recalled Troy. Kyle recalled the visuals of the black and red number 36. “I remember watching him at Rockford and watching all the things he used to do on the track.”

The Mid-American Stock Car Series seemed to be a perfect fit for the brothers to begin their career. “I remember watching the Mid-Am Series when my dad used to race. We watched it grow and now that we're driving in the series, its like re-living our childhood,” stated Kyle.

Although 2007 was only their first full year in any kind of race car, the Shears proved that racing is in their blood. Troy Jr. started ten of twelve features finishing in the top five once and top ten twice. He also had several top ten qualifying runs. Kyle started all twelve events finishing in the top five three times, the top ten six times and collected a win at Dells Raceway Park on his way to being named Rookie of the Year.

Kyle’s win at Dells Raceway Park ranks high on both lists of the Shears’ favorite memories of their rookie season. Troy was the last car to fall a lap to Kyle and was not far behind when the checkered flag waved. He was out of his own ride and waiting in victory lane for Kyle when he exited his mount.

Of course Kyle’s win was big in his mind. “Your first win is something you remember for the rest of your life,” stated Kyle. “and to beat out James Swan, who is one of the best drivers in the series… the win will just stand out in my mind for the rest of my life.”

The two had many more enjoyable experiences during the year, but Troy specifically mentioned another main event that stuck out in his mind. “The Milwaukee Mile weekend was such a blast knowing that we put all three cars in the tope ten in qualifying,” he said. Shear Racing fielded an entry for Jimmy Becker that Saturday morning as well. The three cars, numbered six, seven, and eight, qualified eighth, seventh, and sixth respectively.

The second most frequent question the Shear brothers receive regards a sibling rivalry. “I want to beat him,” said Troy, “it’s really cool to beat him and I'm sure for him, it’s really cool to beat me too.” Kyle tries not to identify his brother as a rival. “I just look at him as another competitor. I think I gave him less room than I gave anyone else at Rockford,” said Kyle.

While the brothers may enjoy racing each other hard, they keep things in perspective. “We know that we can't touch each other because that’s the car that we'll be fixing at the shop. We know that when we get back to the shop that we have to answer to dad,” added Troy. Kyle expressed the same feelings. “I knew if he wrecked I'd be the one fixing it. We share everything and work together. We both watch each other and try to help each other get better,” said Kyle.

The Shear team certainly is a family operation. The team is sponsored by Troy Sr.’s concrete business, Troy Shear Cement, and is owned and operated by mom and dad Shear. Troy and Kyle also credit their crew, Don, Chris and Jerry.

The two brothers will be back in 2008 in hopes to improve their positioning in series standings. Kyle, who finished seventh in points is aiming for a championship in only his second season. “That may be a little farfetched. If I can finish in the top five I'll feel pretty successful, hopefully we'll bring home a win or two.”

The Shears and the rest of a very strong Mid-American contingent will begin the race to the 2008 championship on Sunday, April 13th at the Rockford Speedway in Love’s Park, Illinois. For more information regarding the Mid-American Stock Car Series including the 2008 schedule, past results, the final 2007 standings and driver information, please visit www.midamericanracing.com.