If you were to describe someone as "a good shoe" you probably are referring to someone with raw talent, a natural, someone with racing in their blood. It is not often that you come across someone that fits this description, but in the case of Tony Raines, this stands true.

Raines' racing experience dates back to his childhood days. Like many drivers, his first influence of racing came from his father. The LaPorte, Indiana native spent much of his youth traveling with his father to races each weekend at Anderson Speedway and South Bend Motor Speedway. They spent much of their free time helping out stock car teams, which was ironic considering the world of Indy Racing and open wheel was right in their back yard.

In 1988, Raines' started racing himself. He put a car together to compete in the American Speed Association (ASA) running a total of 5 races, followed by a full season in 1989. The following year, 1990, Raines took on driving duties in the All-Pro Series. He earned "Rookie of the Year" honors and finished fourth in overall points that year. The 1991 season saw a return to the ASA Series as Raines joined the new team of Ernie Roselli where he remained for the next four years. By 1995 he had moved to Milwaukee to join crew chief Howie Lettow and Baker Motorsports. This move proved to be a wise choice as Raines and the #87 Clean Burn race team claimed the 1996 ASA Championship.

In 1997, Raines made the move to NASCAR racing as he joined the ranks of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with owner Kurt Roehrig. Raines claimed his first Truck Series victory that season at the I-70 Speedway, after failing to make two of his first five races. Raines qualified for the remainder of the races and posted seven top-ten and two top-five finishes, subsequently putting him fifteenth in the overall point standings. Raines' win at I-70 Speedway captured Dodge's first victory in over 20 years.

Raines remained with Roehrig for the 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a switch from Dodge to Ford. This season proved to be a banner year as he claimed three victories, one pole, fifteen top-ten and nine top-five finishes.

With those numbers behind him, Raines posted a career high fifth place finish in the 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings.

Tony Raines, pilot of the #33 Bayer Consumer Care Racing Chevy Monte Carlo, enters his third season with BACE Motorsports in 2001. Having amassed the honors of the 1996 American Speed Association Champion and the 1999 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series "Rookie of the Year", he has also accumulated four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins. BACE Motorsports saw a driver who could be groomed into a champion when they hired Tony Raines. Taking in account his competitive attitude and desire to be the best, BACE knew Raines would be able to make the demanding adjustment to the cumbersome cars the NASCAR Busch Series races.

Raines has achieved a venerable status as a true racer in the NASCAR Busch Series. Despite his situation in any given race, he'll pursue the next car for position until the checkered flag drops-never considering giving up, knowing the difference on position can make on an entire season.