Short-track super power: driver Terry Senneker and car owner Larry Zent a winning combination

(Photo Courtesy of Randy Ellen Photography)

By Steve Kaminski

Print MARNE - Anyone wondering how the new partnership between driver Terry Senneker Jr. and car owner Larry Zent was going to work out got their answer during Saturday night’s season opener at the Berlin Raceway.

But did anyone really think this combination wasn’t going to be a winner?

Senneker set fast time and won the season-opening 100-lap Outlaw Late Model feature in his first race with Larry Zent Motorsports. Senneker grabbed the lead with 30 laps to go, then held off Ross Meeuwsen of Zeeland over the waning laps.

Senneker, of Wayland, won last year’s Late Model track championship at Berlin, his third overall since he had already earned Kalamazoo Speedway titles in 2006 and 2009.

Zent, of Fort Wayne, Ind., is a short-track legend when it comes to Late Model racing in the Midwest. Zent, who has been involved in racing for 35 years as a driver and car owner, said after Saturday’s win that his most recent victory was his 227th feature win of his career.

Don’t be surprised if more wins follow, too.

“I bought a car from Terry about a year ago. He built the car and came and did some testing for me,” Zent said. “I had other drivers at the time and had been with the same crew for a long time, and I thought it was time for a switch. The deal came along and I said why don’t you come and run my stuff.

“Terry is truly a machine. He did a fantastic job his first time out for us.”

Senneker spent recent years racing for Terry Gentry of Holland, who continues to field a team featuring driver Steve Needles. Senneker said he was looking to scale back on the number of racing dates in 2012, and he was able to work out a deal with Zent that would keep him competing in a more manageable 15 dates. Look for those events to be spread out at Berlin, Kalamazoo, Toledo Speedway and Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run.

“My kids are getting a little bit older and I want to spend more time with them, I don’t want to be absent,” Senneker said. “My business is also picking up a little bit. My family and business come first, so I wanted some more time off this year, and Larry is giving me some flexibility.”

Zent got his start during the 1970s at Baer Field Speedway in Fort Wayne, where he is the track’s all-time winningest driver. He eventually dabbled in ARCA, the now defunct AC Delco American Speed Association and the CRA Super Series.

Zent later became a car owner for a number of successful drivers, including Canada’s Junior Hanley. The late Dale Earnhardt and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Darrell Waltrip even borrowed Zent cars when they returned to their short-track roots.
Senneker started 12th in Saturday’s 23-car field and patiently worked his way through the field before overtaking Derrick Griffin for the lead.

“It’s a great car,” Senneker said. “It’s a newer car, it’s all of Larry’s equipment, and it is great.”