RPW Exclusive: Jamie & Denise Page: The Dynamic Duo Of Dirt Racing…Part 2

250112dcol_lfallis_01

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – BAINBRIDGE, NY – When one door closes as it did as part of the promotional team at Afton Motorsports Park after seven seasons, another opened up for Jamie and Denise Page in 2017.

That was the year that they became owners of the “Motel Missile,” the no. 6 Modified driven by JR Hurlburt.

“We picked JR because he was a huge help to us at Afton under our tenor as promoters,” Jamie said.  “He would do all the track prep during the week and on race day.  He would also do whatever he could to help at the track and never asked for a dime.”

Showing there gratitude towards Hurlburt, the Page’s offered their dear friend the ride. They felt this was a good way to give back and thank him for all his hard work and dedication over the years.

Their team lasted another seven years, through the 2023 season.  In those years, their commitment to running Brett Deyo’s Short Track Super Series North was outstanding as they never missing an event.

“We may have not qualified for each race,” Jamie said.  “However, we were there giving 100%, trying every time.”

During the season of 2018, as the team was traveling to multiple tracks competing, the Page’s were approached by Deyo with interest in running Fonda Speedway. Brett new he needed a good team to be successful and knew what Jamie and Denise were capable of.

Each received a phone call from the eager promoter who believed Denise’s skills in the food department and Jamie’s for running a race track would be great for the “Track Of Champions.”

They both agreed and one year later, word came down that Fonda Speedway would go under Deyo’s promotion.  Then, it was game on for the Page’s.

Would the Pages ever consider promoting a race track again?  Actually, they could have.  The duo was approached by Utica-Rome Speedway owner Gene Cole (Jamie & Cole were long-time friends) and asked if they would like to take it over.  The answer was no.  They had already experienced that and they were content at where they were in life.  However, they knew someone that may be interested.

His name was Brett Deyo, so in early spring 2020, the ball got rolling.  Unfortunately COVID hit and everything came to a screeching halt.  The Page’s were handled things at both facilities.

The next season, it was game on!  the Page’s were still Motel owners, Modified race team owners and working at two tracks. Jamie also held down a full-time job he’s had for 42yrs on the road as a paint salesman.  Talk about having a lot on your plate?

Deyo saw the importance of having a passionate worker who was dedicated and loyal.  It only made sense for Brett to ask Jamie to become his full-time employee.

“It was a tough decision at first,” Jamie said.  “After 42 years doing the same job, your customers become your friends. I did think it’d give me more time to do things at the tracks.”

It also meant spending more time with the family.

“Denise and I would have more time together,” he said.  “I guess you could say it was good timing.”

The decision was made in 2022 to take the offer.  Besides working the weekly tracks, the Page’s travel with the Short Track Super Series as much as possible. Denise steps up and helps where she’s needed with non-food duties. Jamie can always be seen on his four-wheeler taking care of on-track duties.  He’s the first person to an incident to make sure the driver’s okay.

You think that’d be enough to do.  Not for these two.  In 2023, they began working at Brookfield Speedway with Deyo. Denise began working the BDR Feed Truck and, of course, Jamie makes sure everything goes smooth on the track.

Now comes the question.  How do they manage things while also running their own business?

“We do a spread sheet for each race on Brett’s schedule, whether we attend or not,” Denise said.  “You need to be prepared and have a routine. We pre-plan coverage for our Motel and that’s important.”

Jamie had a plan too.

“I have the fireman approach,” he said.  “I try having a plan and write things down on what needs to be done on race day.  However, most times, it doesn’t work out because things happen unexpectedly that you don’t plan for.  You just go out and get things done.”

What’s the biggest challenges Jamie and Denise have?  Find out in the final installment!

 
 
error: Thanks For Visiting Race Pro Weekly ... Like what you see? Tell your friends to check us out!