It is with great pride that we present to you fine readers, 10 Questions with Dennis Misuraca! Dennis has a deep racing background of mini sprints, super late models and winged and wingless sprints. The 2007 CFWSCA Champion is the perfect candidate to give us a keen perspective on the state of wingless sprint car racing in this state we call home.

A genuinely funny guy, we thank Dennis for taking the time to chime in with his commentary and also providing us the great photos you see at the end of the profile.

Without further ado, we present Dennis Misuraca.

How long have you been racing? I have been racing for 22 yrs…it could have been 35…but who is counting. I started racing later than most I think, at the age of five. My dad took my older brother and I to the kart track next to High Speed Products, he was two years older and out-timed me by a whole second! Heck, I was trying to just hang on, the seat was extra large and the helmet weighed about twenty pounds! Well, the slower driver got left behind back then, there was only room for one kart on top of the station wagon…so missed my first chance.No worries, I guess I wasn’t ready. Later down the road at the age of 18 , I was drag racing my ’72RS Camaro at Bithlo and saw some  mini-sprints running at the dirt track property. After talking to the track owner for about 30 minutes, he let me get into his car and try it. I was hooked from there, also beat the top time that night by two tenths. So I drove to Missouri two days later and towed one home. That’s when I started racing.

Who got you started in sprint car racing? I would say I’m a self motivated guy. I don’t like to be a follower and I want to drive as fast as possible. What better way than a Sprint Car.

You used to race super late models – what made you make the switch to sprint cars? I must have raced those Mini-Sprints too long, although I was the President of the Drivers Committee…but then they voted me out of the club. They claimed that it couldn’t be a Misuraca Show anymore, and after a police escort, and a very long drive home, I thought it was time to move on to a more competitive class. So I tried Super Late Models. I did ok, got a few feature wins, and a rookie of the year. I was racing with good company like David Rogers, Gary Balough, Pete Orr. Unfortunately I broke the bank and my scapula the same night out at Turn 4 at Orlando Speedworld. After a year of healing and looking at a totaled late model, I had to race again. But that class, my friends, will make anyone go broke sooner or later. Thought back at how I did at open wheel and saw a Sprint Car for sale on eBay, snuck up to Ohio early one morning, and brought one home. Boy was my wife mad, I told her I was going fishing!

What is your favorite racetrack to race at and why? The best track I have ever been to would have to be Southern Speedway in the Panhandle. It was a clay track cut out into the ground like a bowl, the pits were concrete with air, water and electric in each pit, the restrooms were all tile with a door man at the front to greet you and spray you down when you left. The best track I’m racing now would be Lake City. It is fast. Real fast. And i haven’t won a feature race there yet, but when I do at the next race, I know I’ll be beating some of the best in the country.

Who is your favorite driver to race against and why? My favorite drivers are the ones I havent beaten, yet. Its a short list, but David and Troy are at the top of that list for now. The reason one or the other would be a favorite is because they  will only make me better as a driver. You are only as fast as your competition, and when your competition is one of them you know your hauling ass. They are what makes me try harder.

You had a great season in 2007 – what does it take to put together a perfect season like that? My 2007 season was pretty cool. It takes a lot of work off the track to pull it all together.I have a 63 point inspection on the car that had to be done after every race  night. And I could afford tires because I had a sponsor. Boy do I need another one of those sponsors!

I used to live in Sanford, much like you – where is your favorite place to hang out downtown? My favorite place down town is at the fishing hole with my daughter Logan.

Do you really think Florida needs two wingless sprint car series? I don’t know why when something is starting to go well, someone else has to throw a wrench in it. Wingless sprint car racing has it hard enough try to get what they deserve, then someone comes in and undercuts the whole deal, splits everyone up, and ruins a good show for the entire state of Florida. If we would all work together we could have over 30 wingless cars at an event! Anyone can win, I’m living proof of that.

Where is your favorite place to go for buffalo wings? My wife makes the best hot wings around man, are you trying to get me in trouble? Shhhh…

Let’s say I live in Central Florida and need a pool contractor – who should I call? If you want your pool done right …Call Sparkle-Brite!

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How can you not like a guy that says he’s going fishing and comes home with a sprint car?