K&N East Debut Leaves Johnny VanDoorn Speechless

K&N East Debut Leaves Johnny VanDoorn Speechless

VanDoorn Finishes Third at Five Flags

By Kevin Ramsell, Speed51.com Correspondent - Twitter: @KevinRamsell

At the end 150 laps, Johnny VanDoorn was standing on the track just taking it all in.

The 2012 ARCA/CRA Super Series champion just completed his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race and was holding on to a third place plaque from the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. 

It was a satisfying end to a week that started with the last-minute call to drive veteran team owner Dave Davis’ car in Pensacola.

“I don’t have words right now, this is crazy,” the Coopersville, MI driver said.  “Seven days ago, I was sitting on my couch not even thinking that something like this would happen.  I really need to thank Dave Davis for this opportunity.  This is a pretty neat deal.”

The opportunity to drive the No. 1 Karl Chevrolet Performance Chevrolet came as a surprise to the three-time champion less than a week before the first ever event at Five Flags Speedway.  It was the seat that previously occupied by Nate Caruth.

VanDoorn said he was just sitting around the house when the call came asking if he wanted to drive the car.  All he had to do was find a plane ticket and get a new head-and-neck device and he was in the car.

He got plenty of seat time with practice on Friday and two practice sessions on Saturday afternoon.  He communicated very well with the team on the setup all day and qualified seventh for the 150-lap event. 

During the race, all he did was move forward.

“I felt like I put us in a position, but wasn’t quite there yet with the setup,” VanDoorn said.  “A lot of that was me getting used to the car.  I have driven a truck arm or a big spring car. B ut we made some good adjustments at the break and were real happy with that.  We have some notes to build on. 

“I am just trying to learn these things.  I thought maybe we would have something there at the end, but we were too free in and too free off.”

With about 40 laps to go, VanDoorn passed Kenzie Ruston for third and wasn’t challenged, even with a late re-start with eight laps to go.  He would finish behind winner Ben Kennedy and fellow rookie driver Gray Gaulding.

“We could have won, that would have been icing on the cake.  But this is almost too surreal,” VanDoorn said after the race.  “I don’t have words, this is awesome.”

With his finish, VanDoorn is hoping that this leads to more opportunities including competing at the next event on April 25 at Richmond International Raceway (VA).

But that night, VanDoorn soaked in everything he could with the experience.  He stood alone, holding his plaque.  He made sure that this was something he would never forget, but the start of a new chapter in his already successful racing career.