Eric McClure - Racin' For A Livin"
In early January of 2006, a television/movie company named JVI Productions decided it was time for stock car racing to enter the world of reality television. The original basis for the show "Racin' For A Livin" was to take what they consider rookie and unknown Race Car drivers from all across the country, and put them against each other for a shot at a 2007 contract to race in the NASCAR Busch Grand National division. This is every racer's dream.
The TV show Racin' For A Livin' originally picked 50 drivers out of thousands of applicants to be voted upon online at www.RacinForALivin.com. The producer decided 50 wasn't enough, and began to pick 21 "Rookie Wildcard" positions to also be voted upon. Online voting will now determine who of the 71 drivers will make it to the next step. Voting lasts from July 1st through August 12th for the "Rookie Wildcard" group and the TOP 5 of this group will move on to track testing with the top 15 from the original 50 drivers. From there everyone will be narrowed down to 12 drivers by the show's veteran NASCAR driver judge panel to actually be on the TV show.
In 2005, Eric ran into some financial problems and soon had to temporarily halt his racing. His grandfather spent every last penny he had in his retirement account for Eric to race. Eric diligently searched for sponsorship locally and no one took the opportunity to help him. By chance, he was on an online message board in February and noticed that JVI Productions posted a note about a reality racing television series and, Eric quickly jumped onto the opportunity. Unfortunately, he didn't make the top 50; however, on June 26th he received a phone call from a fellow competitor, and was informed that he had until midnight to "sell himself" to the producer and explain why he should be given one of the final Wildcard spots, and after typing up and sending his marketing proposal, he was picked! ...
If we can vote Taylor Hicks into American Idol, we can definitely vote in a racer to fulfill his dream as well!
Jennifer Hanich
