GALENA, Kan. – He’s been a pitcher for most of his life, but now he’s ready to try something different.
“I’ve always had a love for going fast. It’s just one of the best feelings in the world, honestly.”
Just one week after finishing his baseball career at Pitt State, Jarret Dotson jumped in a car and competed in his first race.
“I’m a lot more nervous getting in this race car sometimes before races than I really ever was in baseball,” Dotson says, “which is kind of funny because I’ve played in some pretty big games here and there.”
Dotson was a 4-year player for Pittsburg State. In high school, he was the 4A Division II Pitcher of the Year for Baxter Springs, and led the Lions to a state championship in 2016.
“When he was pitching, he was in control. He was out there and it was his game to win or lose,” says Shane Dotson, Jarret’s father, “You get into these cars, and you’ve got 16 of them bunched up at 80-100 miles per hour, there’s not much room for error.”
Racing is a family tradition for Dotson – with both his dad and grandpa competing before him.
“I had the privilege of racing back in the 90’s in Joplin. We raced all over the mid-west and had some success,” Shane says, “As a dad, watching your son excel and achieve his dream, it’s far superior to anything I’ve ever done.”
Dotson even built his first car with his dad last winter.
“If you’re into mechanics and cars and stuff like that, getting to build a car with your dad is one of the coolest things you can do as a kid,” he says.
“I got to do that with my dad,” Shane says, “My dad went to heaven a long time ago. For he and I to be under the race car working together, and me explaining and sharing my knowledge, it’s just been a special time for he and I. This is something he and I can do for many years to come. We’re excited about the future of what Jarret has the opportunity to do in these race cars.”
Dotson is just getting started – and has bigger plans for his racing career.
For now though…
“We’ll cross that road when we come to it,” Dotson finishes, “I’m just trying to get us through this first season without tearing anything up.”
Dotson has competed in four races in the last two weeks. He has already picked up his first top-10 finish, finishing 8th at a race last Friday.
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