A hammerhead by definition is:
 1.The-striking head of a hammer.
2.Any shark of the family Sphyrinidae, with a flattened head and eyes in the lateral extension of it.

When we look up shark, two definitions come up:
 1. Veracious marine fish 
 2. A person who unscrupulously exploits or swindles others; a worthless rogue.

For racing, combine the two definitions and you get:  a striking shark, then add, behind the wheel of a racecar. You will then have my definition of a hammerhead.


Throughout my racing career, which started in 1985, I have had numerous encounters with the beast, which over the years has cost me, as well as others, thousands of dollars.  Perhaps you too have had such an encounter. Read on and learn how to identify the Hammerhead, its habits, and environment.  Then we’ll hear from a few others and share their views of hammerheads. Finally, I’ll share some tips to help you avoid an assault.

Identification: Appearance is a good starting point in the identification process. When you arrive at the race track, look at the outward show of the cars. A mangled car is a strong indication of a hammerhead. Start with the nose.  Nosepieces of cars can be damaged from an attack method of the hammerhead that is known as the “Plow.” 

A driver will push or “plow” his way to the front.  If you don’t move, they will move you. Follow the nose toward the rear of the car, checking for dented door panels, especially on the passenger side. The reason for this is another attack method used by the hammerhead, which is the “bank and go.”  This occurs when a hammerhead runs full out into a corner, regardless of how his car is handling and uses the outside car as a “bank” or cushion to turn the car. Finally, examine the rear quarter panels.  These may become damaged from the “Whip” attack. The “whip” occurs when one car passes another car and upon entering the turn the new leader “whips” the rear of his car outward, causing contact. Please note that most whip attacks can be avoided and what may be construed, as an attack was really a good pass, more on this at the end. In addition to appearances, if you are a first time driver at a particular track, ask other drivers that race there on a regular basis, they have already been swimming in the waters and will know the sharks. When a new car shows at your regular track, once again ask, chances are someone will know something about the driver. Experience helps, when you have raced enough years you know most drivers “styles.” If not, sit back and watch hot laps and see the talent you are competing against. I seldom hot lap or “fast lap” my car unless I have made changes to it or if it is a new track. That’s why we keep notes. Instead I’ll use that time to watch other drivers.

         Rookies: Assume them to be hammerheads until they prove different. Some rookies go into racing with the old bull of rubbin’ is racing and they will destroy more equipment in half a season than I would in two years. Other rookies will listen to the veterans when they say “patience, just finish, the race is won on the last lap not the first.”  

In most cases nice appearing equipment means either, good driver, new car/driver or big buck team.  Sometimes a big buck team can have a hammerhead as a driver, so don’t take anything for granted.

Habits: In addition to the afore mentioned attack methods, the hammerhead, it seems, lives for rough driving. If he loses, he may try to start a fight in the pits. It apparently does not posses the skills to make a clean pass. If he is beside you, he hits you, behind you he hits you and yes, believe it or not, he can even hit you if he is in front of you. You know, the hammerhead that does a brake check at the start and restart of the race. Be it genetic or a learned action, the hammerhead wants to win on that first lap at any cost. He will rip up $15,000 worth of equipment to win $1500, and sometimes he is just trying to win a trophy. They, as one hammerhead put it, “See a point and go for it.” He doesn’t care who or what is in the way. When the yellow comes out, sometimes the hammerhead will stay at full throttle until another racer gets taken out, because he was unfortunate enough to obey the flagman and slow. Sometimes a hammerhead will deliberately go out to “get “ another driver. Why? Only the hammerhead knows the reason. Maybe it’s a chemical imbalance that drives this creature to do the damage it does. Sometimes a hammerhead is lapped by the leaders and then, instead of moving over, decides that all of a sudden he has the fastest car on the track and tries to run with the leaders. That is why that blue flag with the yellow stripe is being displayed. The animal may break down during a race, but then go for an attack by allowing the disabled car to roll down in front of the field. Don’t forget about the lead foot hammerhead that loses control of his car only to fly through the infield full-bore and right back onto the track, usually in front of other drivers instead of regaining control first.  The hammerhead usually drives over his capabilities. He has too much car, whether it’s from too much power or a poor setup.  The hammerhead refuses to “drive” the car.  Instead the car drives him, causing crashes that once again cost us money. Think about it. Maybe you have done some of these things or know of other hammerhead habits I didn’t list. Whatever the case, be on the lookout for these habits. Some of the most common expressions of the hammerhead are “Rubbin’s racing,” “Wasn’t my fault,”  “I’m gonna get him,” or “That’s how I race.”  I think you get the picture. Also, hammerheads usually self-destruct, give them enough laps and they crash or spin on their own. Oh yea, the species also comes in the female version they are not all male.

    Environment:  I would say that just about every track that has racecars has at least one hammerhead.  Yes, even those tracks with that hard black stuff covering them will be contaminated.  Even the high-profile racing organizations have them.  It’s just that those sanctions take the necessary steps to eradicate the animal from their surroundings either by banning them, fining them, or some other method. Primarily though, the hammerhead will thrive on the short tracks, tracks that are 3/8 mile or smaller; the bull rings. They are in every class from hobby stock to late model. Oh yeah, the open wheel guys have them too, but it’s a different species of hammerhead. Sometimes the pits will be infested with an attack from one or more of these creatures, which at times may even bring in law enforcement. Just remember, the more cars, the higher the risk of hammerhead contact.  Also, the smaller the track, the higher the hammerhead count seems to be.

    I asked a few simple questions to three different individuals, all of which play an important part in dirt track racing.

    Bob McMillen, a veteran racecar driver since 1985 currently driving in the steel block late model division, with over 80 wins total, on both dirt and asphalt.

    Bob was asked, “Have you encountered any hammerheads?” His reply was “Yes.” He then followed that with a story of his first feature race on dirt in which, under caution, the driver behind him drove to his inside and repeatedly hit his driver’s side door to the extent of literally tearing his door panel completely off the car, under caution!. He then told me of numerous other attacks. I then asked, “How did it make you feel and why?”

    His reply, “I get very agitated.  For the fact is, I am a low-budget racer.  I can’t afford to have somebody that has a lot of money that doesn’t care, bouncing off my car or runnin’ into me, to get by me.”   “How much have hammerheads cost you in damages this year?”  Bob replied, “At least $2000.00.”

    “How do you feel the ratification of hammerheads should be handled?”
“Track officials and flagmen should give hammers a warning, fine, and then suspension.”   
“If you could give a message to hammerheads what would it be?”  “Use your head, save your equipment; save my equipment.”

In contrast, self-confessed hammerhead, 16-year-old rookie pure stock driver, Joe Malobecky, Jr. says his advice would be, “Stay out of my way.”

    Although Joe admits to hammerhead style driving, he felt that in his class most drivers are. He goes on to say that his damages were about $1200.00.

    Joe agreed that tracks should try to end hammerhead driving, and he said he plans to try to clean up his act for the 2003 season, when he plans to move up to the next race car division.

I asked Joe Durian, a dedicated dirt track racing fan, the following,  “Do you as a fan like watching hammerheads on the track?” His reply, “ I don’t like it one bit, it’s not racing.  I’d rather see guys running two, three, or four-wide clean.”

 “How has hammerhead driving affected you personally?”
Joe’s reply, “ I’ve lost total respect for a normally top four driver, after seeing his hammerhead driving at West Virginia Speedway.  He fell to the back in his heat and plowed and banked his way back to the front to qualify, and he cost a lot of money to the drivers he hit.”

Tips to avoid hammerheads: Identify them, plan a strategy, and follow the strategy.

    Earlier I  told you how to identify them.  As for strategy, give them room! Check the car count. If you’re in the feature, don’t fall under attack trying to win a heat race. A general rule I follow is, if I’m in the top four cars, I will go for the win fast and clean. If not, and I know a hammerhead is present; I’m getting clear and staying on the lead lap.  Remember, hammerheads usually self-destruct. Don’t believe me? Watch a hammerhead, see how many he wins verses the crashes he caused or was involved in. After the field gets whittled down, now it’s time to race. Some drivers may feel this isn’t true racing, well those are the ones repairing their cars to make it to the feature or next week. The fans have told me they like my driving, I keep it clean as possible and I will run two thru four wide if the opportunity presents itself. When you have done everything in your power to avoid hammerheads.

Ultimately it’s up to the track officials and flagman to keep the hammerhead population in check and to do their best to eliminate the problem. Use the system; videotape the race hammerheads will show up show the officials. If you are a hammerhead take. Oh yea how to avoid the whip, it’s easy, if you are passed at the entry to a corner give a little extra to the guy that passed you, tuck behind him and pass him back when you exit the turn or on the straight. If your car is faster you will get the spot back

In closing, take Bobs advice and mine, remember you run anywhere from 15 to 100 plus laps; the race is won on the last lap not the first.  Be a racer, not a hammerhead. If you can’t change, sooner or later it’ll bite you, and meanwhile you’re not gaining anybody's respect.




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