Monday, April 29, 2013

Tim DeVos overcomes traumatic off-season to finish second in Berlin Raceway's season opener


  

MARNE – Tim DeVos pointed to a small dot of burned metal, located just above the hood of his Super Late Model after finishing second in Saturday night’s season-opening 75-lap feature at Berlin Raceway.
devoshome.jpgTim DeVos' home was destroyed by fire on Dec. 16. 
“This is where an ash fell on it,” DeVos said. “There were a few more on the hood so we had to replace that, but otherwise, this is the only mark that was left on it. The car is in pristine condition.”
timdevos2.jpgTim DeVos (12) battles Ross Meeuwsen for the lead during Saturday night's 75-lap Late Model feature race at Berlin Raceway. 
DeVos had arguably the most challenging off-season of any Berlin driver considering his home, located at 915 10 Mile Road NE,was destroyed by an early-morning fire on Dec. 16. Not only did he lose his home, but his wife, Pat DeVos, was hospitalized for several weeks after suffering second degree burns to her face and hands.
Tim DeVos - LM - 2010.JPGTim DeVos 
But Pat DeVos is on the mend, plans to rebuild his home are underway, and when the green flag dropped on Berlin’s 63rd season Saturday, the multi-time track champion was ready to roll. He battled eventual winner Ross Meeuwsen to the finish in the track’s main event.
The No. 12 Late Model DeVos drove Saturday escaped the fire. DeVos’ race shop, which was located next to his home, burned as well, however, DeVos was able to move the Super Late Model out of harm’s way just in time. His Outlaw Late Model, however, was damaged.
“I was always afraid the shop was going to burn the house, so I had firewall after firewall after firewall. That was my biggest fear,” DeVos said. “The fire came and it took a long time to get to the shop. We rolled this one out and couldn’t find a jack to get the Outlaw out. It burned up a little bit.
“The firemen were getting pissed at me. They were putting water on a house that had fire coming out of every window. I said all that stuff is gone, come over and save my (bleep).”
DeVos said he is still unsure what caused the fire, but he believes it started in the kitchen area. He said it could have started from a new stove or a candle.
“My wife got beat up a little bit and she spent about a month-and-a-half in the hospital, but she came around,” he said. “That’s the main thing. We have insurance, so we will just rebuild. State Farm has been damn good to us.”
“She has a little bit of lung problems from inhaling the heat more than anything. She had a lot of second degree burns on her hands and face, but those cleaned up really good. You would never even know it. But she coughs quite a bit and she has been going in to see the doc. She is about 95 percent back. That was my biggest concern.”
Racing returns to Berlin Saturday at 7 p.m., and the program will include the Outlaw Late Models. DeVos will compete in that series, too. Port City Racing of Muskegon operator Harley Bovee offered DeVos the opportunity to drive the business’ house car.
“Harley offered me the chance to race his car after he learned what happened,” DeVos said. “I think that car will be hard to beat. Harley is making a statement with that one. We have his crew chief, Butch VanDoorn, who is a boy genius when it comes to race cars.”

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