Chris Ends His Race Career

With a racing career that has spanned over 25 years, Chris Throgmartin has finally retired from the sport he loves.

Bitten by the bug for high performance cars in 1967, Throgmartin chased dreams throughout his adult life forging a reputation and accomplishing things few will ever dream of obtaining. Introduced to drag racing by his older brother Dave, his indoctrination to high horsepower vehicles fed a desire to build a career in motorsports. Spending time working on cars and being around racers Chris later developed a bigger love for stock car racing.

" I can still remember my very first stock car race. It was at Spartan Speedway and I was just a little kid at the time when my father and mother took me. I was mesmerized by it all. Then a few years later I attended the first NASCAR race at MIS in the very early 70's when the track was first built and I was completely captivated by the Yankee 400 race and the speed of the cars. Back then you could pick nearly any seat you wanted as they had very few fans, " commented Throgmartin recently.

Throgmartin in the 80's got serious and with his business back ground began forging a career in Motorsports Marketing that once launched, rocketed him to the top of racing. Heading into his career full force and working 70 and 80 hour work weeks it took Chris 4 short years to reach the pinnacle of racing, Winston Cup.

" Looking back at how things moved for me, it just seems to be a blur. My circle of friends in racing was growing and obviously I knew people in the right places at the right time who opened doors for me. Without them it would have been much harder to penetrate the big leagues. I had some amazing opportunities and through my work got to meet and work with some of the very best in racing as well as the corporate world ", Throgmartin added.

Over the years Chris has performed marketing and public relations work in 16 different race sanctioning bodies, from the State wide traveling series to the major leagues of NASCAR. His client list read like a who's who of racing and his involvement and reputation spanned many corporate board rooms across the US. He has applied his skill for marketing in nearly every race sanctioning body known to stock car racers over the last 15 years.

" I can remember one year I represented over 17 drivers throughout the country. Those 17 drivers won 91 races that year, took home three major series championships and set 15 track records. It was a year I will never forget and I was extremely proud of all of them, " Throgmartin said.

From working with his brother in the driveway on high performance cars to his days in NASCAR Throgmartin rarely stopped to take a breath. He was the first to introduce autograph cards with detachable rebate coupons for sponsors which later became a hit with companies in NASCAR, ARCA and ASA. He co- founded the USPRO series, the first all crate engine Super Late Model series in the nation and later went on to become the founding father of the Michigan based SuperPro series. His work has covered nearly every major race sanctioning body including ARTGO, ASA, ARCA, NASCAR Craftsman Trucks, Busch Grand National and Winston Cup. He has been called on by the Senate in the past to give expert testimony in racing related cases and has worked with State, county and local governments on proposed zoning and law enactments.

Over the years he was known as an individual who never turned his back on the local racer. He treated all drivers, team members and owners with respect regardless of what or where they raced. " I tried to always be approachable and treated all drivers with respect. I can remember working with Dale Earnhardt Sr. on a magazine article one morning at MIS and later that evening trying to help a factory stock driver with a marketing problem at a local track. To me I considered all these guys the same, just another individual pursuing a love for this sport, " Throgmartin commented.

As one of Chris' friends in racing said " I could write a book about all the great things Chris has done for me personally and for all racers, but let me just tell you from my heart that I appreciate that he choose to make a contribution to the sport we all love so much. Thank-you Chris for all that you have done!!

Known as hard driven and a workaholic, Chris used contacts throughout the business world to move driver's careers. His paths found him crossing the United States weekly. " I would work all week then jump a flight to Kansas, Atlanta or where ever. Sunday I would fly back home, rest one night and be back at work on Monday morning. I had weekends where I wouldn't sleep but 3 or 4 hours. It was just a dizzy pace at the time", added Throgmartin. The grueling schedule finally caught up with him when at the age of 36 he landed himself in a cardiac unit. " The doctor came in and said either you slow down or die, so I obviously slowed down. I cut out my involvement in NASCAR and ASA which were the heaviest workloads for me and went back to local and regional racing. "

Back at the local and regional level Chris wasn't short of projects or workload. While his schedule slowed down considerably, his passion remained just as intense for racing.  " I was back essentially where it all started out for me, at the local tracks and I found myself enjoying it much more the second time around. I always enjoyed working with these guys and I was able to bring back to the short tracks what I learned in the big leagues."

Just as Chris was finding a rebirth of his career working with grassroots racers and promoters he was once again struck down medically. He was diagnosed with an incurable bone marrow disease in 1998 that once again put the brakes on his career.  " I got real sick on a business trip to Denver and when I got back and had a check up I just couldn't believe the diagnosis. I probably should have ended my involvement at that time with racing as the battle has been amazingly tough. This disease sucks the life and energy right out of you but I  felt guilty about walking away from the racers. Today there is really little choice, I have to end my career and focus my attention on myself and my family, " Throgmartin commented.

!n 2003 his battle intensified with his disease and following a few strokes he found that his cognitive abilities were slipping. The heavy doses of chemo and the strokes themselves effected his brain function to the point he no longer could perform simple tasks like he had before. He kept hidden his battles he was experiencing everyday with his disease and continued to work on projects for racers. Each task drew enormous amounts of energy from him and taxed his mind and body. After consulting with his wife and kids the final decision was made to end what turned out as a story book career.

In closing Chris commented, " This maybe the end of a career for me but the beginning of a new life. I can only hope that people will reflect back and know that I did my utmost to move this sport forward with integrity and honesty. Every bit of the work I did I tried to set a higher standard for others to follow. Racing was my passion but it was also a place in my life for me to laugh, share friendships and to simply enjoy my passion for this sport. They say a man is judged on his past deeds ! I can only hope I will be judged based on my commitment to racers and the sport of racing and how I treated both. It's where my heart has always been ".

 

Chris Throgmartin

Racing Career Time Line

  • 1968 - Began his involvement in racing at the age of 10 by assisting his brother on various street / drag cars.

  • 1975 - Began drag/street racing at the age of 17.

  • 1976 - Continued his involvement in drag and sand dune racing helping other racers with general engine mechanics for several years.

  • 1988 - Formed Talin Media Group for the sole purpose of helping racers with marketing.

  • 1991 - Formed Michigan’s first elementary school educational stock car racing     “ Say No to Drugs” program.

  • 1991 - Hosted “Say No to Drugs” racing educational programs at local speedways in Michigan while bringing in National sponsors from Valvoline as corporate support for the program.

  • 1992 - Introduced the first professionally prepared sponsorship drivers portfolio for local racers in Michigan.

  • 1992 -Became the first marketing professional in the Nation to ever gain sponsorship for 17 drivers from a Fortune 500 company under one contract.

  • 1992 - Began representation of corporate clients including 4 Fortune 500 companies as well as race teams and drivers in ARTGO, ARCA, ASA, and NASCAR.

  • 1992 / 93 - Served 17 driver / clients in stock car racing in 10 different race sanctioning bodies.

  • 1993 Authored his first article for a newspaper concerning stock car racing.

  • 1995 - Authored his first article for a National Stock Car Racing Magazine

  • 1995 - Recognized as one of the top ten motorsports Marketing and Public relations consultants in the USA by STR Publishers.

  • 1995 - Formulated and helped host the first RE OLDS Museum Race Day.

  • 1995 - Elected to the Board of Directors at the RE OLDS Museum.

  • 1995 - Presented with the RE OLDS Presidents Award for outstanding work in Marketing and Public relations.

  • 1995 - Was a driving force behind getting the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame a permanent location at the REO Olds Museum by spearheading Board member approval from fellow Directors.

  • 1996 - Became a columnist and consultant to a National racing magazine.

  • 1996 - Authored his first feature article on racing that was later republished in 7 foreign countries and 4 different languages.

  • 1996 - Was called upon by the Michigan Senate to give expert testimony on a proposed 80 million dollar race facility.

  • 1996 - Consultant to the Michigan DNR on race track environmental contamination issues.

  • 1996 - Took over Midwest operations for Atlanta based motorsports publisher STR Inc..

  • 1996 - Received the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club “ Publisher of the Year ” award on behalf of STR Publishers for their outstanding coverage of Michigan Motorsports.

  • 1997 - Formed Motorcom Inc. and “ Raceweek ” which began hosting weekly radio shows in Central Michigan.

  • 1997 - Obtained his “ 100th Career feature article ” on Stock Car Racing racing in Michigan, later published in France by a best selling French car magazine.

  • 1997 - Began a dual career as a radio race show host and writer under the assumed legal name of  “ Chris Martelli ”.

  • 1997 - Formed a marketing partnership with Tru Mark Motorsports and successfully marketed one of the only super late model teams in the nation with complete National Corporate sponsorship of a local race team.

  • 1998 – Again secured an all National Sponsorship for Tru Mark Motorsports

  • 1998 - Received the Outstanding Marketing achievement award for his work with GM SPO from JSK promotions.

  • 1998 - Received the Presidents Award for outstanding achievement in Marketing for the RE Olds Museum.

  • 1998 - Formed Stone Vos Inc..

  • 1998 - Assisted brother Dave in his first venture of forming a stock car racing team.

  • 1999 - Consulted to the Michigan Legacy Series

  • 1999 - Assisted his brother Dave and nephew Jake along with other Michigan drivers with sponsorship and marketing programs.

  • 1999 - Diagnosed with a rare and incurable bone marrow disease and began his first course of chemotherapy.

  • 2000 - Despite several strokes and hospitalizations, he began consulting to drivers on the internet and over the phone back in Michigan from his retirement home in Bristol, TN.

  • 2000 - Co-Founded the USPRO Cup Race Series.

  • 2001 - Continued serving drivers and local racers from Michigan with marketing programs.

  • 2002 - Helped to successfully launch the USPRO Series and help guide it through its first season.

  • 2003 - Served as Race Director for the USPRO Cup Race Series.

  • 2004 - Designed and implemented the first " Drivers for Kids program " in Michigan using USPRO drivers as a role model for the program.

  • 2003 - Founded the MISS Superpro series.

  • 2004 - Consultant to numerous Superpro and ASA late model teams in addition to Modified's, street stocks and mini stock racers . Assisted with their individual marketing programs.

  • 2004 - Founded the Racewinners.com site and conducted the first race track  rating program in Michigan.

  • 2004 - Held the first Marketing and Public Relations seminar for racers in Michigan.

  • 1988 - 2004 - Fought for the grassroots racer, working to improve racing conditions for all divisions.

  • Tirelessly gave of himself in educating and bringing forward new ideas in marketing for local racers.

  • Introduced Large corporations to the local tracks and helped develop marketing programs for their regional offices.

  •  Helped develop and implement one of Michigan's first " two tire rule " to help save racers money.

  • Was a proponent of crate engine based series and divisions to help eliminate the high cost of race engines and to allow more teams to enter stock car racing.

 

 

Quotes From Race Friends

I would like to thank you for everything that you have done not just for me
but for all of the people up here in Michigan.  You expertise has helped so
many of us and I don't know how to repay you.

Tommy Preblich

 

You have been a wonderful guide and mentor for Shaun as well as Greg.  You have many things to be proud of during your racing career.  We have only known you the past couple of years and wish we had more of a past history with you.  Many
people think very highly of you as we do.  Take care and I hope you and
Ingrid have many wonderful journeys together.

Greg, Mary & Shaun Whitney

 

It is with a heavy heart I read your retirement, but I do understand completely. It's just that you have done so much for this sport that your absence will leave a HUGE void. The good thing is you get to spend some quality time for yourself doing the FUN things not yet done. I could write a book about all the great things you have done for me personally and for all racers, but let me just tell you from my heart that I appreciate that you choose to make a contribution to the sport we all love so much. Thank-you for all that you have done!! I do look forward to seeing you and hearing from you, you will stay in my thoughts. Your a good man and a class act.

Skip Konkle

Through mutual racing resources we began speaking to Chris for his expertise in helping my sister and I build our apparel business from LITERALLY scratch.  This wonderful man is totally remarkable.  He took the time to speak to me for well over an hour during our first conversation to get us on our feet and was very thorough. His fee was:  ONE    T-SHIRT!!  To this day he still continues to email/call to check on us and see if we need anything and we know we can call him and he will be like a "father" to us and guide us in the right direction.  We are new to this business, but with his guidance we are growing quickly and have many customers in the racing industry in Michigan.  People say he's a "strong willed bastard" and HE IS, but we love him.  And, if it wasn't for that strong will....who knows where many of us "budget" racers and business entrepreneurs would be today.  Chris, thanks just isn't enough.. you'll be truly missed by these two sisters...you're our hero.....

Kim Hageman & Kelly Brown

Chris' public relations work has benefited those in racing from NASCAR all the way down to the guy just starting out racing mini stocks on the quarter mile bullrings. He remembers not only where he started, but where the typical racer started as well. Chris has been vocal concerning safety as well.  His retirement will have an impact on racers and race teams all over the United States.
 

Mike McPherson
ABC 12

I have known Chris for many years and there is not a finer man involved in racing.  Chris has helped many people in their racing careers and he is one of the reasons that I am still racing today.  His dedication and perseverance to this sport will be truly missed.  I am so saddened that he is retiring from racing that I can't find the appropriate words.  However, Chris is also my friend and whether he is involved in racing or not we will always be there for each other. Chris is one in a billion and I am very honored to
have him as a friend.
 

Chuck Silva
Gorilla Racing

Every now and then in our sport a man comes along that blesses us with his talent, and has the heart to share that talent and to teach others. Luckily for me Chris Throgmartin is just one of these people, a man that has blessed our sport and one that I call a friend. Chris has done so many things for racing and it’s competitors, that it’s a dark day when he leaves, and we can only hope that time is limited before someone comes along that can fill his shoes. At the same time knowing that Chris will find happiness away from racing is just enough sunshine to lighten this dark day Good Luck Chris !  

Gavin Hunyady

 

Words can never express how much we appreciate everything you have done for us. Your friendship and words of wisdom have guided us through racing these past few years. You put your faith in a rookie driver and that means more to us than you will ever know.

You are a guiding light to many drivers in this sport. You have been generous to all in sharing your knowledge and experience to better this sport that we all love. You have made us all laugh, and you have made us all stop and think about how to better ourselves, our teams, and our sport.

You have influenced everyone in our family. From Robbie and Ted in racing, me with your friendship, and Ryan and Jessica with your advice on how to handle their      parents. :) You will be missed by everyone on this site and especially by us.
I guess the only thing we can say is Thank you!!!!!
May God bless you and your family.
 

Ted, Terri, Robbie, Ryan, and Jessica Johnson