Butch VanDoorn is Young Behind-the-Scenes Talent
19-Year-Old Crew Chief of His Two-Time CRA Champ Brother & JEGS Title Contender Has Big Dreams
By Shelby Scott
Young stars in racing aren’t too difficult to find, and it cannot be denied that there are many talented hopefuls in racing waiting for their big break. The story of Ben “Butch” VanDoorn is different though, because he doesn’t dream of becoming a famous NASCAR driver. Still, racing is his passion, and just like drivers, he dreams of victories now and in the future.
Only he wants to do it atop a pit box as a crew chief.
Butch VanDoorn is currently the crew chief for his older brother John VanDoorn, driver of the #61 CRA Super Series Super Late Model and Erik Jones, who drives the #4Chevrolet on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, both of whom were listed in the top 15 drivers on Speed51’s Short Track Draft in 2011. Butch has been this three-year-older brother John’s crew chief for the last three years and has helped big brother to win back-to-back CRA Super Series points championships.
This year, thanks to a non-conflicting schedule, VanDoorn has stepped up to help the young and talented Erik Jones as well in his pursuit of the new JEGS CRA All Stars Tour presented by GM Performance Parts championship.
VanDoorn first got involved in racing at age seven, where he ran go-karts along side his brother, but when the year came for John to move up to full size stock cars, Butch decided to step down from driving and step in to the shop.
“I started working on it when I was eight and (John) was 12, and I just helped out in the shop doing little odds and ends, cleaned things, changed tires and did everything I could to learn,” said VanDoorn. “Finally, when we went to race for Tim Steele I worked there after school everyday and then during the summer full time and I learned a lot.”
VanDoorn might not have seen his way to crew chief so young if it hadn’t been for his persistence with his brother after his previous crew chief plans for 2009 fell through.
“Butch kind of took it upon himself that he wanted to be a crew chief when I quit driving for Tim Steele and I didn’t really plan on having a crew chief,” said John VanDoorn. “He just took the responsibility. I had no idea that he would be so interested. Next thing I know, he’s calling people and taking care of all the duties a crew chief would. The first two years he’s been the crew chief we won the championship, so you can’t ask for more.”
John VanDoorn says that it’s Butch’s dedication that makes him an excellent crew chief, and that sentiment is echoed in Butch’s description of what it takes to win races and make accomplishments as a crew chief.
“It’s a lot of all nighters and NOS Energy drinks, while other students are supposed to be reading books for class I’m reading the Penske shock manual and in the shop every day after school, and it pays off.”
Even though he wasn’t shy about studying racing, his schoolwork got done as well, as the Coopersville, Michigan native graduated high school earlier this year. As for his future in racing, VanDoorn plans to keep working towards some pretty big short track dreams.
“My ultimate goal would be to own and run my own race team. To see John or Erik move up in the ranks in racing would be great, my big goal is not to be in (NASCAR Sprint) Cup, but if it happens it happens. If the opportunity came around I would probably take it, but more than anything I just want to be the best short track crew chief their was.”
While that may be a lofty goal, it would certainly be hard to argue that VanDoorn wasn’t the top crew chief on the first weekend of September. On Saturday, September 3rd, VanDoorn led Erik Jones to victory lane for a second time this season in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour at Owosso Speedway in Michigan. Two days later on Labor Day, VanDoorn was back in victory lane with his brother in the CRA Super Series event at Winchester Speedway in Indiana.
It could be a championship year for VanDoorn, as well, as he has Jones 20 points on top of the standings in the JEGS Tour with just two races remaining on the schedule.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Jeep Van Wormer Eighth in World 100; Receives Best Appearing Car Award!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2011
Jeep Van Wormer Eighth in World 100; Receives Best Appearing Car Award!
(PINCONNING, MICHIGAN) Jeep Van Wormer and the #55 Iron Motorsports team returned to action on September 9-10 at the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The 41st Annual 'World 100' was held at the "Big E" over the weekend and a whopping $44,000 top prize was on the line. On Friday night, Jeep laid down the tenth fastest lap of the 112 entrants during the two-lap qualifying session.
When the action heated back up at the "Big E" on Saturday evening, Jeep ran second in his loaded heat race, which locked him into the outside of the fifth row in the 'World 100.' The Pinconning, Michigan native, who was aboard his special white/blue September 11, 2001 themed paint scheme that received the Best Appearing Car Award, was fast from the drop of the green flag. Jeep got up to the sixth spot during the 100-lapper and had his sights set on a strong top five finish. However, after a couple of mid-race restarts, his tires sealed over and never came fully back to life and Jeep slipped back to a solid eighth place finish. Full results from Eldora can be accessed online at www.eldoraspeedway.com.
"It was a good solid weekend for the Iron Motorsports team at Eldora," quoted Van Wormer this week. "We posted a fast lap during qualifying, ran strong in the heat race, and moved forward a little bit in the World 100. If we had things to do over again, a couple of minor tweaks to our car could have allowed us to get a top five finish. It was cool to win that Best Appearing Car Award and I have to thank all of the media people that voted for us on that deal. I also have to thank everyone that contributed a ton of man hours in making our car look really sharp. It was important to me to honor all of the fallen from 9/11 with a special scheme and it really got a lot of positive response from everyone all weekend!"
Jeep and the Iron Motorsports team plan to take the next couple of weekends off from racing action due to personal/work commitments. When and where Jeep will race next is currently unknown, but it will not be over the September 16-17 and 23-24 weekends. Keep up with the schedule plans for the #55 team by logging onto www.jeepvanwormer.com.
The Iron Motorsports team thanks the following sponsors for their continued and unwavering support: Bayline Fire Protection, 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, Callies, 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, VP 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
September 15, 2011
Jeep Van Wormer Eighth in World 100; Receives Best Appearing Car Award!
(PINCONNING, MICHIGAN) Jeep Van Wormer and the #55 Iron Motorsports team returned to action on September 9-10 at the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The 41st Annual 'World 100' was held at the "Big E" over the weekend and a whopping $44,000 top prize was on the line. On Friday night, Jeep laid down the tenth fastest lap of the 112 entrants during the two-lap qualifying session.
When the action heated back up at the "Big E" on Saturday evening, Jeep ran second in his loaded heat race, which locked him into the outside of the fifth row in the 'World 100.' The Pinconning, Michigan native, who was aboard his special white/blue September 11, 2001 themed paint scheme that received the Best Appearing Car Award, was fast from the drop of the green flag. Jeep got up to the sixth spot during the 100-lapper and had his sights set on a strong top five finish. However, after a couple of mid-race restarts, his tires sealed over and never came fully back to life and Jeep slipped back to a solid eighth place finish. Full results from Eldora can be accessed online at www.eldoraspeedway.com.
"It was a good solid weekend for the Iron Motorsports team at Eldora," quoted Van Wormer this week. "We posted a fast lap during qualifying, ran strong in the heat race, and moved forward a little bit in the World 100. If we had things to do over again, a couple of minor tweaks to our car could have allowed us to get a top five finish. It was cool to win that Best Appearing Car Award and I have to thank all of the media people that voted for us on that deal. I also have to thank everyone that contributed a ton of man hours in making our car look really sharp. It was important to me to honor all of the fallen from 9/11 with a special scheme and it really got a lot of positive response from everyone all weekend!"
Jeep and the Iron Motorsports team plan to take the next couple of weekends off from racing action due to personal/work commitments. When and where Jeep will race next is currently unknown, but it will not be over the September 16-17 and 23-24 weekends. Keep up with the schedule plans for the #55 team by logging onto www.jeepvanwormer.com.
The Iron Motorsports team thanks the following sponsors for their continued and unwavering support: Bayline Fire Protection, 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, Callies, 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, VP 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, September 15, 2011
MTS Season Championship at Crystal
The Lane Automotive MTS sprint series will conclude the 2011 season Saturday Sept.17th at Crystal Motor Speedway with the Great Lakes Nationals.
In Saturdays MTS Championship race Drivers will compete for a $1000 top prize and a six foot trophy.
The last 2 trophies went to the current point leader Joe Bares. Joe looks to defend his last two championship race wins and wrap up his first sprint car series title.
Dueling for 2nd and 3rd father and son Chuck and Chad Wilson are looking to pick up there first wins of the 2011 season.
Rookie of the year shoe in Kevin Hawk is currently 4th in the standings with Joe Irwin ranking 5th.
Pits Open: 12 Noon SATURDAY: Hot Laps: 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Races start: 5 p.m.
Crystal Motor Speedway is located in Crystal, MI, 5.5 miles north of SR 57 on Crystal Road, then east on Sidney. For more information, contact the track at 989-235-5200.
Top 20 - 2011 MTS Point Standings
(R) = rookie
1. Joe Bares - 1308
2. Chuck Wilson - 1192
3. Chad Wilson - 1176
4. Kevin Hawk (R) - 1109
5. Joe Irwin - 1078
6. Mark Irwin - 1068
7. Mike Baker - 985
8. Mark Strpko - 964
9. Keith Love - 877
10. Jim Payne -858
11. Nick Landon - 834
12. Don Bostrom (R) -816
13. Gregg Dalman - 751
14. Mike Astrauskas - 707
15. Jerry Evilsizer - 653
16. John Watson - 610
17. Tim Champlin - 599
18. Jay Stienabach (R) - 552
19. Don Smith - 480
20. Tim Evilsizer - 477
In Saturdays MTS Championship race Drivers will compete for a $1000 top prize and a six foot trophy.
The last 2 trophies went to the current point leader Joe Bares. Joe looks to defend his last two championship race wins and wrap up his first sprint car series title.
Dueling for 2nd and 3rd father and son Chuck and Chad Wilson are looking to pick up there first wins of the 2011 season.
Rookie of the year shoe in Kevin Hawk is currently 4th in the standings with Joe Irwin ranking 5th.
Pits Open: 12 Noon SATURDAY: Hot Laps: 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Races start: 5 p.m.
Crystal Motor Speedway is located in Crystal, MI, 5.5 miles north of SR 57 on Crystal Road, then east on Sidney. For more information, contact the track at 989-235-5200.
Top 20 - 2011 MTS Point Standings
(R) = rookie
1. Joe Bares - 1308
2. Chuck Wilson - 1192
3. Chad Wilson - 1176
4. Kevin Hawk (R) - 1109
5. Joe Irwin - 1078
6. Mark Irwin - 1068
7. Mike Baker - 985
8. Mark Strpko - 964
9. Keith Love - 877
10. Jim Payne -858
11. Nick Landon - 834
12. Don Bostrom (R) -816
13. Gregg Dalman - 751
14. Mike Astrauskas - 707
15. Jerry Evilsizer - 653
16. John Watson - 610
17. Tim Champlin - 599
18. Jay Stienabach (R) - 552
19. Don Smith - 480
20. Tim Evilsizer - 477
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Garvey taken out while leading at South Alabama Speedway
Pollard's 50th Earns Viper Series Title
Overcomes Nine Point Deficit to Pick Up 2011 Viper Championship
By Ryan McCollough - Twitter: @RyanLMccollough
Survival was the name of the game Saturday night in the Cottonmouth 100 at South Alabama Speedway in Opp, Alabama.
Bubba Pollard held off a charging Brandon Odom through a hash of late restarts, including a green-white-checker finish, en route to his fourth Viper Series win of the year and the 2011 Viper Series Championship by a single point.
“We have run well at South Alabama for a couple years now, and to win the title makes it even sweeter,” said the Senoia, Georgia. native.
The win was also Pollard’s 50th career Late Model win.
Pollard set quick time in qualifying with a blistering lap of 15.376 seconds, but fell victim to South Alabama Speedway’s famed random redraw by pulling the worst pill in the bucket, a seven. Pollard’s ill luck was Chris Davidson’s joy as he gained three spots from his qualifying effort when he picked the pole. Chris Serio joined Davidson on the front row.
Davidson got the early advantage and led the first 11 laps, before Mike Garvey came calling. Garvey hounded the rear deck of Davidson’s Chevrolet before giving him a bump off of turn two and taking the lead off of four.
The race would be slowed twice in the first half for spins by Charlie Gresham on lap 25 and 43.
Garvey stretched his lead to nearly one and a half seconds throughout the mid-point of the 100 lapper.
The biggest and most talked incident of the night occurred on a restart at lap 66. Garvey led Boyett to turn one before the two made contact sending Garvey spinning. Unable to avoid Garvey, Boyett’s Ford climbed across the nose of the spinning Goodson Racing Chevy, nearly turning upside down.
“I could have grabbed a rock of the top of the track at one point because I was just about vertical,” said Boyett after rebounding to finish third.
Pollard assumed the lead, never looked back, and led the rest of the way for the win and the title.
Pollard and Odom had nothing by praise for one another following the conclusion of the event
“My car got messed up some during the year somewhat, forcing me drive the 16 (of Royce Johnston) and tonight the rear end was acting up,” said Odom. “All in all we had a good year, we still have the car in one piece, but when Bubba is on, he is really tough to beat.”
“Brandon has progressed a lot through the year as a driver,” said Pollard. “We have a little friendly rivalry, and it will be fun to see how it keeps going.”
Rounding out the top five were Boyett, Justin South and Serio.
Saturday night’s event was South’s first event at South Alabama Speedway is quite a while and he came away pleased.
“We learned quite a bit tonight that will help us next weekend at Montgomery,” said South. “We have a couple of repairs to do, but we will motor on through and be fine.”
Pollard, notorious for his “points don’t matter” demeanor, couldn’t help by smile when talking about winning the Viper Championship and continuing to build on an already impressive 2011.
“The last couple of years it seems like we have done so well leading up to late season big money events (World Crown 300, Alabama 200, Lee Fields Memorial, and the Snowball Derby) and then come up short in them. We have won some 100 lappers, but it’s time for us to win some of the bigger events.”
Cottonmouth 100 Results
1.18 – Bubba Pollard
2.81 – Brandon Odom
3.11 – Logan Boyett
4.43 – Justin South
5.3 – Chris Serio
6.29 – Anderson Bowen
7.39 – Hal Martin
8.1 – Roger Adkins
9.12 – Brandon Brilliant
10.36 – Lance Blacker
11.17 – Shanky Smith
12.57 – Mason Mitchell
13.11 – Charlie Gresham
14.X2 – Dennis Reno, Jr.
15.1 – Mike Garvey
16.41 – Chris Davidson
17.45 – Dwayne Buggay
Overcomes Nine Point Deficit to Pick Up 2011 Viper Championship
By Ryan McCollough - Twitter: @RyanLMccollough
Survival was the name of the game Saturday night in the Cottonmouth 100 at South Alabama Speedway in Opp, Alabama.
Bubba Pollard held off a charging Brandon Odom through a hash of late restarts, including a green-white-checker finish, en route to his fourth Viper Series win of the year and the 2011 Viper Series Championship by a single point.
“We have run well at South Alabama for a couple years now, and to win the title makes it even sweeter,” said the Senoia, Georgia. native.
The win was also Pollard’s 50th career Late Model win.
Pollard set quick time in qualifying with a blistering lap of 15.376 seconds, but fell victim to South Alabama Speedway’s famed random redraw by pulling the worst pill in the bucket, a seven. Pollard’s ill luck was Chris Davidson’s joy as he gained three spots from his qualifying effort when he picked the pole. Chris Serio joined Davidson on the front row.
Davidson got the early advantage and led the first 11 laps, before Mike Garvey came calling. Garvey hounded the rear deck of Davidson’s Chevrolet before giving him a bump off of turn two and taking the lead off of four.
The race would be slowed twice in the first half for spins by Charlie Gresham on lap 25 and 43.
Garvey stretched his lead to nearly one and a half seconds throughout the mid-point of the 100 lapper.
The biggest and most talked incident of the night occurred on a restart at lap 66. Garvey led Boyett to turn one before the two made contact sending Garvey spinning. Unable to avoid Garvey, Boyett’s Ford climbed across the nose of the spinning Goodson Racing Chevy, nearly turning upside down.
“I could have grabbed a rock of the top of the track at one point because I was just about vertical,” said Boyett after rebounding to finish third.
Pollard assumed the lead, never looked back, and led the rest of the way for the win and the title.
Pollard and Odom had nothing by praise for one another following the conclusion of the event
“My car got messed up some during the year somewhat, forcing me drive the 16 (of Royce Johnston) and tonight the rear end was acting up,” said Odom. “All in all we had a good year, we still have the car in one piece, but when Bubba is on, he is really tough to beat.”
“Brandon has progressed a lot through the year as a driver,” said Pollard. “We have a little friendly rivalry, and it will be fun to see how it keeps going.”
Rounding out the top five were Boyett, Justin South and Serio.
Saturday night’s event was South’s first event at South Alabama Speedway is quite a while and he came away pleased.
“We learned quite a bit tonight that will help us next weekend at Montgomery,” said South. “We have a couple of repairs to do, but we will motor on through and be fine.”
Pollard, notorious for his “points don’t matter” demeanor, couldn’t help by smile when talking about winning the Viper Championship and continuing to build on an already impressive 2011.
“The last couple of years it seems like we have done so well leading up to late season big money events (World Crown 300, Alabama 200, Lee Fields Memorial, and the Snowball Derby) and then come up short in them. We have won some 100 lappers, but it’s time for us to win some of the bigger events.”
Cottonmouth 100 Results
1.18 – Bubba Pollard
2.81 – Brandon Odom
3.11 – Logan Boyett
4.43 – Justin South
5.3 – Chris Serio
6.29 – Anderson Bowen
7.39 – Hal Martin
8.1 – Roger Adkins
9.12 – Brandon Brilliant
10.36 – Lance Blacker
11.17 – Shanky Smith
12.57 – Mason Mitchell
13.11 – Charlie Gresham
14.X2 – Dennis Reno, Jr.
15.1 – Mike Garvey
16.41 – Chris Davidson
17.45 – Dwayne Buggay
Monday, September 12, 2011
VanHaitsma Finishes and Wins at Berlin
(Photo Courtesy of Tom DeVette)VanHaitsma Finishes and Wins at Berlin
Veteran Racer Pickes Up First JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Win
Terry VanHaitsma has had strong cars this year, running very well in several races, but different mechanical issues kept him out of Victory Lane seveal times this year. At the Berlin 100 presented by JEGS.com at Berlin Raceway Saturday night, VanHaitsma finished and raced to his first JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by GM Performance Parts victory.
Brandon Hermiller set Keyser Manufacturing fast time with a lap of 16.358 seconds, .003 seconds faster than VanHaitsma. Hermiller then drew a four to set the invert putting Erik Jones on the pole with Seth Moody on the outside of the front row and VanHaitsma on the inside of the second row.
Jones took off for the lead over Moody at the start. Moody then came back and slipped under Jones for the lead on lap number four. VanHaitsma was hot on Moody’s trail keeping him very close, but with lapped traffic he was unable to get past.
Then VanHaitsma powered past Moody for the lead. After he took over on the 37th lap, the only time VanHaitsma was slowed was the only caution during the race on the 51st lap when Jordan Dahlke and Matt Puskarich spun.
Moody stayed in second with Brent Downey close behind. Downey passed the hard racing Moody on the high side late in the race to take second, Moody finished in third, Tim Steele was fourth and Brandon Hermiller fifth.
“I feel like I finally got the monkey off my back!” VanHaitsma stated. “It has been a tough year, we have had good runs going several times, but something has always happened. I feel great, and we all worked so hard on the car it is great to win.”
For his move to pass Moody, Downey earned the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award. The Howe Racing Rookie of the Race Award went to Tom Woodin as well as the VDL Fuel Systems Rookie Award as the highest finishing rookie.
Great Lakes Tire Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards went to Downey and Lauren Bush. Bush, who finished a CRA career best 10th, also earned the Five Star Stock Car Bodies Hardcharger Award and the Racing Electronics Hardcharger Award.
VanHaitsma took home the Turn One Lap Leader Award, and the DTS Drive Train Halfway Leader Award. Cody Coughlin earned the DJ Safety Hard Luck Award as the first driver out.
The next event for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by GM Performance Parts will be the Fall Brawl 100 presented by JEGS.com at Lucas Oil Raceway (ORP). The Fall Brawl on October 1-2 will also feature the CRA Super Series, the Sullivan RV CRA Late Model Sportsman, EDCO Welding CRA Street Stocks, and the Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Practice and qualifying will take place on Saturday with features only on Sunday afternoon. For more information on any of the CRA series go to www.craracing.net. For information about Lucas Oil Raceway see www.lucasoilraceway.com.
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