FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 18, 2011
Jeep Van Wormer Prepares for Tripleheader Following Rain-Soaked Weekend
(PINCONNING, MICHIGAN) The Iron Motorsports team returned to Dirt Late Model competition on Friday, May 13 in the Hawkeye State of Iowa. The ultra-competitive Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned a $10,000 to win program at the 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa on Friday night. Jeep Van Wormer finished third in his loaded heat race to earn the twelfth starting spot in the 50-lap main event. The Pinconning, Michigan native had a solid run going, battling just outside of the top ten through much of the race. Unfortunately, Jeep slipped back several positions on the final circuit to wind up seventeenth in the official rundown.
Jeep and the #55 team were then scheduled to invade the LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois on Saturday and the Millstream Speedway in Findlay, Ohio on Sunday. However, Mother Nature grabbed a pair of victories in those events and Jeep was forced to head back to the shop with only one race under his belt for the weekend. Full results from the 34 Raceway on Friday can be viewed online at www.lucasdirt.com.
Initially, the #55 team had planned to take the upcoming May 20-22 weekend off from racing action. However, Jeep decided today to add a trio of races in the Land of Lincoln to his schedule. All three shows this weekend in Illinois will pay $2,000 to the winner. You can watch Jeep sling dirt at the following venues:
May 20 | Kankakee County Speedway (Kankakee, IL), ALMS | $2,000 to win
May 21 | Fairbury A.L. Speedway (Fairbury, IL), ALMS / NALMS | $2,000 to win
May 22 | Shepp's Speedway (Alexander, IL), NALMS | $2,000 to win
The Iron Motorsports team thanks the following sponsors for their continued and unwavering support: Bayline Fire Protection, Globe Technologies, Services on Site, Van Wormer Management, Rocket Chassis, Fletcher Made Horsepower, ACPT, All-Pro Cylinder Heads, Allstar Performance, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Oil Systems, Bell Racing, Beyea Headers, Brinn, Inc., BSB Manufacturing, Complete Battery Source, Delph Communications, Dyer's Top Rods, Eibach Springs, Exide Technologies, Fine Line Window Tinting, Goodridge Hose & Fittings, Hoosier Racing Tire, Howe Racing Enterprises, J.C. Dubil, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Joe's Racing Products, K-B Carburetors, Keyser's Port City Racing, KRC Power Steering, Lane Automotive, Oakley, Outerwears, Penske Shocks, Peterson Fluid Systems, R2C Performance, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Sweet Mfg., TWM Racing, V.P. Racing Fuels, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Engineering, and Wrisco.
To learn more about the Iron Motorsports team, log onto their home on the web located at www.jeepvanwormer.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.delphcommunications.com
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sammy Epling Race Report
Perry, Michigan (Tuesday, May 17th, 2011): What started out as a three races in three nights weekend, turned into a single night of racing for Sammy Epling as he was able to race at the track where he's the defending track champion at while the other two shows were won by Mother Nature. .
Beginning on Friday, May 13th, a trip back to Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for a regular show was in store for Epling and his Doug Finley Motorsports / SJE Motorsports Team. Epling come home in the runner-up spot in the feature, but by just getting to that point was an accomplishment itself for the Perry, Michigan resident.
"The night didn't start out so hot when I spun out in the heat race going for the lead. I hated it that I tore up the car and collected Mark Andersen in the process," reflected Epling. "But the guys on the crew busted their butts putting the car back together as best they could with what we had." He added.
Epling was forced to start last in the 20-car field and steadily picked his way through the field and had worked his way up to third when he looped his #29 NorthsideTowing.net machine by himself. ""I don't know what the hell was wrong with me." He laughed. "Must've been a Friday the 13th curse or something," He added.
So once again, Epling worked his way through the field and by the end of the race had got back up to second place but ran out of time trying to catch the eventual winner, Ryan VanderVeen who would go on to take the checkered flag. "We had a fast car, but I just made a couple of mistakes and it cost us. That's ok, we'll get back there (Mt. Pleasant Speedway) over Memorial Day Weekend and see if we can find victory lane."
A trip to the Buckeye State was planned as the crew made their way down to the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio. But as the crew pulled up, they were informed that the show was canceled and in addition, the next day's four times rescheduled Sunoco American Late Model Series 2011 season opener at the big 1/2 (0.500) mile semi-banked dirt oval of Millstream Speedway in Findlay, Ohio was postponed, thus ending Epling's race weekend early.
"It's just unreal what the weather has done to the Sunoco ALM Series! We still haven't got a show in with them and we're coming up on Memorial Day!" Laughed the Perry, Michigan standout, "I hope this coming weekend will end that streak with two Sunoco shows in my home state. I can't wait for these two races. Hopefully we can have a good showing and get a nice jump out ahead of everyone in the points."
What are now the first two shows of the 2011 racing season for the Sunoco American Late Model Series will be in Epling's home state of Illinois beginning This Friday, May 20th at Kankakee Motor Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois and then continuing on Saturday, May 21st at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. Epling, who now calls Perry, Michigan home, has both dates circled on his 2011 calendar.
"We wanted to get over there earlier this season for the World of Outlaws Late Model shows, but, as has been the case all season long for us, the weather held us back. Hopefully we can have a good weekend this weekend and this ridiculous weather holds out for us to actually be able to race." Epling continued. "We're really hoping to race this time. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends." He ended.
After the trip back home to the Prairie State, the Sunoco American Late Model Series will do its best to catch up on its 2011 racing season over the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend with three races in three days beginning at the track where Epling is the defending track champion; Mt. Pleasant Speedway on Friday, May 27th. From there, the Series travels to the Buckeye State and to Oakshade Raceway on Saturday, May 28th before wrapping up the holiday weekend at the legendary 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked dirt oval of Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio on Sunday, May 29th.
Epling's #29 Mastersbilt Chassis sporting a Pontiac GTO nose on his UMP Late Model will carry sponsorship decals from; NorthsideTowing.net as well as SJE Trucking, Imaging Solutions, Shift Shop Transmissions, Mike Childers & Sons Excavating, Lane Automotive, Fusion Sign Company, Jeff Smith Home Improvements, NashCar Trailers, Huffy's Marathon, Hedrick Precision Engines, Dowker Racing Engines, M.P.H. Promotions, SJE Motorsports, and Doug Finley Motorsports.
For more information about Sammy Epling and the entire SJE Motorsports / Doug Finley Motorsports Team and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 racing season, log onto the teams' website at: www.sammyepling.com You can also follow the entire 2011 season with Epling by becoming a fan on his Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com and search "Sammy Epling / SJE Motorsports" then click on "Like" today.
Beginning on Friday, May 13th, a trip back to Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for a regular show was in store for Epling and his Doug Finley Motorsports / SJE Motorsports Team. Epling come home in the runner-up spot in the feature, but by just getting to that point was an accomplishment itself for the Perry, Michigan resident.
"The night didn't start out so hot when I spun out in the heat race going for the lead. I hated it that I tore up the car and collected Mark Andersen in the process," reflected Epling. "But the guys on the crew busted their butts putting the car back together as best they could with what we had." He added.
Epling was forced to start last in the 20-car field and steadily picked his way through the field and had worked his way up to third when he looped his #29 NorthsideTowing.net machine by himself. ""I don't know what the hell was wrong with me." He laughed. "Must've been a Friday the 13th curse or something," He added.
So once again, Epling worked his way through the field and by the end of the race had got back up to second place but ran out of time trying to catch the eventual winner, Ryan VanderVeen who would go on to take the checkered flag. "We had a fast car, but I just made a couple of mistakes and it cost us. That's ok, we'll get back there (Mt. Pleasant Speedway) over Memorial Day Weekend and see if we can find victory lane."
A trip to the Buckeye State was planned as the crew made their way down to the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio. But as the crew pulled up, they were informed that the show was canceled and in addition, the next day's four times rescheduled Sunoco American Late Model Series 2011 season opener at the big 1/2 (0.500) mile semi-banked dirt oval of Millstream Speedway in Findlay, Ohio was postponed, thus ending Epling's race weekend early.
"It's just unreal what the weather has done to the Sunoco ALM Series! We still haven't got a show in with them and we're coming up on Memorial Day!" Laughed the Perry, Michigan standout, "I hope this coming weekend will end that streak with two Sunoco shows in my home state. I can't wait for these two races. Hopefully we can have a good showing and get a nice jump out ahead of everyone in the points."
What are now the first two shows of the 2011 racing season for the Sunoco American Late Model Series will be in Epling's home state of Illinois beginning This Friday, May 20th at Kankakee Motor Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois and then continuing on Saturday, May 21st at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. Epling, who now calls Perry, Michigan home, has both dates circled on his 2011 calendar.
"We wanted to get over there earlier this season for the World of Outlaws Late Model shows, but, as has been the case all season long for us, the weather held us back. Hopefully we can have a good weekend this weekend and this ridiculous weather holds out for us to actually be able to race." Epling continued. "We're really hoping to race this time. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends." He ended.
After the trip back home to the Prairie State, the Sunoco American Late Model Series will do its best to catch up on its 2011 racing season over the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend with three races in three days beginning at the track where Epling is the defending track champion; Mt. Pleasant Speedway on Friday, May 27th. From there, the Series travels to the Buckeye State and to Oakshade Raceway on Saturday, May 28th before wrapping up the holiday weekend at the legendary 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked dirt oval of Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio on Sunday, May 29th.
Epling's #29 Mastersbilt Chassis sporting a Pontiac GTO nose on his UMP Late Model will carry sponsorship decals from; NorthsideTowing.net as well as SJE Trucking, Imaging Solutions, Shift Shop Transmissions, Mike Childers & Sons Excavating, Lane Automotive, Fusion Sign Company, Jeff Smith Home Improvements, NashCar Trailers, Huffy's Marathon, Hedrick Precision Engines, Dowker Racing Engines, M.P.H. Promotions, SJE Motorsports, and Doug Finley Motorsports.
For more information about Sammy Epling and the entire SJE Motorsports / Doug Finley Motorsports Team and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 racing season, log onto the teams' website at: www.sammyepling.com You can also follow the entire 2011 season with Epling by becoming a fan on his Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com and search "Sammy Epling / SJE Motorsports" then click on "Like" today.
I-96 Speedway Prepares for a World of Outlaws Sprints Series Invasion THIS Saturday, May 21st
I-96 Speedway Prepares for a World of Outlaws Sprints Series Invasion THIS Saturday, May 21st
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Tuesday, May 17th, 2011): THIS Saturday, May 21st will be one of the biggest shows of the year at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan as the ultra fast, fire breathing, winged warriors of the World of Outlaws Sprints Series will invade for their yearly appearance in the running of the "The Rumble in Michigan"
The big 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked dirt oval comes to life with such stars and legends as 20-time Series Champion, Steve Kinser as well as Defending Series Champion, and Two-Time Defending I-96 Race Winner, Jason Meyers and Four-Time Series Champion Donny Schatz headline the stellar field of the best Sprint Car Drivers in the World.
Current Series Points Leader Joey Saldana as well as Three-Time Series Champion Sammy Swindell, along-with another former Series Champion Danny Lasoski also look to add an I-96 win to their already stellar resumes. They'll battle the likes of home track favorite from near-by Portland, Michigan, Dustin Daggett as well as several stars from the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP looking to hold back the traveling invaders.
In 2010, Meyers in his #14 GLR Investments machine scored his second consecutive win at I-96 in front of the biggest crowd in the tracks long history as the Clovis, California native took over the top spot after race long leader; Lasoski lost a rear end while leading with just six laps to go. From there, Meyers withstood two late restarts and held off late charges from Craig Dollansky and Jason Sides to score the win in the 30-lap Feature!
Earlier in the evening, Saldana was one of four drivers to break the track record and he also became the first driver ever in I-96 Speedway history to break into the 14-second barrier as he toured around the 1/2 mile at a lap measured at a 14.834 which equals out to a wicked fast 121.343mph.
Joining the World of Outlaws Sprints will be the tracks' Lane Automotive UMP Modifieds as the only Open-Wheeled division within the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar series will move up to the 1/2 mile for the evening in support of the World of Outlaws Sprints Series.
Current UMP DIRTcar Modifieds Michigan State Championship Points Leader and current Lane Automotive UMP Modifieds Points Leader, Mark Anderson will lead a strong cast of Modifieds while such stars as Jeff Erickson Jr., Jacob Poel, the Father-Son duo of Tim and Travis Stemler, and many more will all be in search of victory lane and hope to do exceptionally well in front of the expected standing room only crowd.
For Saturday, May 21st, the Pit Gates Open will open an hour earlier than normal at 2:00p.m., the Grandstands also swing open an hour earlier than normal at 4:00p.m. Practice will start one hour earlier than normal at 5:00p.m. Qualifying for the World of Outlaws Sprints Series begins at 6:30p.m. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Starts at 7:30p.m. Tickets are still available by calling: 1 (815) 344-2023 or logging onto the S.L.S. Promotions Website at: www.slspromotions.com
The World of Outlaws Sprints Series has made 10 career appearances at I-96 with the first ever show back in 1995. Steve Kinser leads the way with Four (4) career victories while Jason Meyers has won the last two races held in Lake Odessa, Michigan. Picking up single wins over the years includes; Craig Dollansky, Joey Saldana, Sammy Swindell, and Stevie Smith.
The World of Outlaws are the premier sanctioning body for winged sprint car racing and is comprised of sprint car drivers from across the country. The series was founded by the late Ted Johnson in 1978, giving winged sprint car racers somewhere to compete with uniform rules. Since then, the series has become one of the most popular traveling series' in the world!
The Tinney Automotive UMP Late Models, Renegade Racing Fuels & Lubricants UMP Street Stocks, and Jim's Auto Body of Portland UMP Sport Compacts will all enjoy the weekend off before returning to action on Saturday, May 28th as part of the tracks' Memorial Day Holiday Weekend Celebration. All three returning divisions will be joined by the Lane Automotive UMP Modifieds who go back to the 3/8s mile after supporting the World of Outlaws Sprints Series on the 1/2 mile This Saturday night!
For more information regarding the 2011 racing season at I-96 Speedway, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow the entire 2011 season in Lake Odessa, Michigan by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com and search "I-96 Speedway" and click on "Like" today. You can even follow us on Twitter, just go to: www.twitter.com and search "I-96 Speedway"
Monday, May 16, 2011
Rollar Coaster Ride for Garvey at Mobile
Garvey Finishes First, Then Fails Post-Race Tech at Mobile
Bubba Goes Two for Two and Back-to-Back-Back at MIS
By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining
Mike Garvey led over half of round three of the Midwest Cooling Towers Pro Late Model 100; 56 of 100 laps. He crossed the finish line first, less than a second ahead of Bubba Pollard and DJ VanderLey. Garvey and his team celebrated in victory lane by taking the photos and giving interviews.
After all the accolades and a lengthy inspection of Garvey’s engine, Ricky Brooks and the Mobile International Speedway officials were forced to disqualify the Tracy Goodson-owned Pro Late Model for rules infractions surrounding its engine.
The DQ moved Bubba Pollard to first and gave him his second victory of the night (he also won the Modified feature) and third win in a row at Mobile this season. DJ VanderLey moved up to second, and extended his points lead to 42 over Thomas Praytor.
Lead Technical Inspector Ricky Brooks explained what the infractions on Garvey’s car were after declaring the disqualification.
“He had illegal valve steam retainers, but the big issue was an illegal camshaft in the upper numbers, and illegal rocker arms. You’re supposed to have 1.6s (rockers), and they had 1.72s (rockers) on it.
“There’s no appeal to this,” added Brooks. “I got cam data to back it up, and a machine that checks the rocker arm ratio. It doesn’t fit the GM gage that GM supplied to check the rocker arms with. I’ve checked it both ways.
“It’s a pretty big advantage. Without putting the car on a dyno, I can’t tell you the numbers, but it would be a significant advantage.”
A dejected Tracy Goodson, who is the owner of Mike Garvey’s car, was very candid about his feelings on the situation.
“They’re sayin’ that the motor is wrong; we’ve been on the phone with our engine builder who stands by that its right. All we do is spend a lot of money to do this here, and we depend on the engine builders and that’s all we can do. I guess they’ll try to hash it out Monday. That’s just part of this crate motor racing, it’s kinda bulls--t, but I guess that’s part of it. I don’t know, I think I’m about ready to back to Super (Late Model) racin’, or maybe get my Pro Cup car into something.”
Pollard celebrated the win in the tech inspection area, after all the fans had left the speedway and most all of the teams had already visited the payout window. He celebrated with his team and a few friends after having won the Alabama Pipe & Supply Modified feature earlier in the night.
In the Pro Late Model race Pollard lead early, but began fighting a tight condition as the race worn on. Even with a tight handling car, he was still able to stay within one second of Garvey all night.
“We had a good car; I thought it was a little better than the last race, just got tight. We changed shocks from the last race; I think that made a big difference. I think we ran a little better with the other shocks. We’ve been given up (time) in qualifying, but now we’ve gained in qualifying and gave up some during the race.”
Pollard was able to catch Garvey in the corners, but Garvey consistently pulled away on the straightaways. One might think that it was in part due to Garvey’s alleged illegal engine, but Pollard also commented that he was trying to judge when the best time to go after the lead was.
“You just kinda watch what he’s doing, gotta know what your car is doing, then you kinda judge from there. It’s one of them things were you just know when to go. Mike got out front and I didn’t want to run that hard that quick, so I let him go. Who knows if that was the right decision... maybe I should’ve kept running hard. But I just got too tight there at the end. As long as you’re there, and you give it a shot, it’s all you can do.”
When asked about what it is like to win by technicality, Pollard took it in stride.
”Sometimes wins come like that. Ricky Brooks is known for being really hard in tech and I know a lot of drivers don’t like that, but I do. He’s tough, but he’s fair.”
Dan VanderLey, owner of the number 2 VDL Fuel Systems Ford driven by his son DJ VanderLey, agreed with Pollard’s assessment.
“I hate that Garvey got tossed out in tech; you hate to move up because of a technical infraction, although it has to be done. They have to tech everybody so we are all the same.”
Garvey’s disqualification moved the VanderLey team up to second, and helped the team gain in the points.
“It was a really good night for us, even with a third place finish. We got the pole, and got maximum points for that. It’s turned out to be an even bigger night than what we expected. We just keep pluggin’ along.
DJ VanderLey was very happy with outcome, even before post race tech was complete. He was glad that the car finished in one piece, without a scratch on it. He, along with Garvey and Pollard, all seemed to race in a rubberband like effect. The three would bunch up, especially in the corners, battle for a lap or two and then stretch out again. This game of cat and mouse lasted the entire second half of the race. When asked if the thought of using his bumper to get by Pollard crossed his mind, VanderLey expressed the importance of racing clean.
“I had Bubba in front of me there and he’s always run me clean, so I wasn’t gonna move him because I race people the way that I want to be raced. In these cars, especially late in the race, hitting your line is so key; I’m talking within inches. It is so hard, and if you slip up once, then you’re out a lot. Then you have to work your way back up, so it takes a lot of focus.”
VanderLey now leads the Midwest Cooling Towers Pro Late Model Series points by 42 over Thomas Praytor. When given the choice of a win over the points, the reigning champion spoke with poise and wisdom.
”The racer in me says the win, but overall it’s all about points. We only have two more races left, so if we can keep running with (Garvey) or stay just ahead of him then we should be able to clinch the championship two years in a row here.”
Bubba Goes Two for Two and Back-to-Back-Back at MIS
By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining
Mike Garvey led over half of round three of the Midwest Cooling Towers Pro Late Model 100; 56 of 100 laps. He crossed the finish line first, less than a second ahead of Bubba Pollard and DJ VanderLey. Garvey and his team celebrated in victory lane by taking the photos and giving interviews.
After all the accolades and a lengthy inspection of Garvey’s engine, Ricky Brooks and the Mobile International Speedway officials were forced to disqualify the Tracy Goodson-owned Pro Late Model for rules infractions surrounding its engine.
The DQ moved Bubba Pollard to first and gave him his second victory of the night (he also won the Modified feature) and third win in a row at Mobile this season. DJ VanderLey moved up to second, and extended his points lead to 42 over Thomas Praytor.
Lead Technical Inspector Ricky Brooks explained what the infractions on Garvey’s car were after declaring the disqualification.
“He had illegal valve steam retainers, but the big issue was an illegal camshaft in the upper numbers, and illegal rocker arms. You’re supposed to have 1.6s (rockers), and they had 1.72s (rockers) on it.
“There’s no appeal to this,” added Brooks. “I got cam data to back it up, and a machine that checks the rocker arm ratio. It doesn’t fit the GM gage that GM supplied to check the rocker arms with. I’ve checked it both ways.
“It’s a pretty big advantage. Without putting the car on a dyno, I can’t tell you the numbers, but it would be a significant advantage.”
A dejected Tracy Goodson, who is the owner of Mike Garvey’s car, was very candid about his feelings on the situation.
“They’re sayin’ that the motor is wrong; we’ve been on the phone with our engine builder who stands by that its right. All we do is spend a lot of money to do this here, and we depend on the engine builders and that’s all we can do. I guess they’ll try to hash it out Monday. That’s just part of this crate motor racing, it’s kinda bulls--t, but I guess that’s part of it. I don’t know, I think I’m about ready to back to Super (Late Model) racin’, or maybe get my Pro Cup car into something.”
Pollard celebrated the win in the tech inspection area, after all the fans had left the speedway and most all of the teams had already visited the payout window. He celebrated with his team and a few friends after having won the Alabama Pipe & Supply Modified feature earlier in the night.
In the Pro Late Model race Pollard lead early, but began fighting a tight condition as the race worn on. Even with a tight handling car, he was still able to stay within one second of Garvey all night.
“We had a good car; I thought it was a little better than the last race, just got tight. We changed shocks from the last race; I think that made a big difference. I think we ran a little better with the other shocks. We’ve been given up (time) in qualifying, but now we’ve gained in qualifying and gave up some during the race.”
Pollard was able to catch Garvey in the corners, but Garvey consistently pulled away on the straightaways. One might think that it was in part due to Garvey’s alleged illegal engine, but Pollard also commented that he was trying to judge when the best time to go after the lead was.
“You just kinda watch what he’s doing, gotta know what your car is doing, then you kinda judge from there. It’s one of them things were you just know when to go. Mike got out front and I didn’t want to run that hard that quick, so I let him go. Who knows if that was the right decision... maybe I should’ve kept running hard. But I just got too tight there at the end. As long as you’re there, and you give it a shot, it’s all you can do.”
When asked about what it is like to win by technicality, Pollard took it in stride.
”Sometimes wins come like that. Ricky Brooks is known for being really hard in tech and I know a lot of drivers don’t like that, but I do. He’s tough, but he’s fair.”
Dan VanderLey, owner of the number 2 VDL Fuel Systems Ford driven by his son DJ VanderLey, agreed with Pollard’s assessment.
“I hate that Garvey got tossed out in tech; you hate to move up because of a technical infraction, although it has to be done. They have to tech everybody so we are all the same.”
Garvey’s disqualification moved the VanderLey team up to second, and helped the team gain in the points.
“It was a really good night for us, even with a third place finish. We got the pole, and got maximum points for that. It’s turned out to be an even bigger night than what we expected. We just keep pluggin’ along.
DJ VanderLey was very happy with outcome, even before post race tech was complete. He was glad that the car finished in one piece, without a scratch on it. He, along with Garvey and Pollard, all seemed to race in a rubberband like effect. The three would bunch up, especially in the corners, battle for a lap or two and then stretch out again. This game of cat and mouse lasted the entire second half of the race. When asked if the thought of using his bumper to get by Pollard crossed his mind, VanderLey expressed the importance of racing clean.
“I had Bubba in front of me there and he’s always run me clean, so I wasn’t gonna move him because I race people the way that I want to be raced. In these cars, especially late in the race, hitting your line is so key; I’m talking within inches. It is so hard, and if you slip up once, then you’re out a lot. Then you have to work your way back up, so it takes a lot of focus.”
VanderLey now leads the Midwest Cooling Towers Pro Late Model Series points by 42 over Thomas Praytor. When given the choice of a win over the points, the reigning champion spoke with poise and wisdom.
”The racer in me says the win, but overall it’s all about points. We only have two more races left, so if we can keep running with (Garvey) or stay just ahead of him then we should be able to clinch the championship two years in a row here.”
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