Van Dam competes against Outlaws with smaller motor
ALK Promotions, September 2
Henry Van Dam wouldn’t mind having a 410ci motor for the bigger sprint car events in the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately for Henry and his countless fans who love watching him race, he doesn’t. That, however, didn’t stop him from bring his 360-powered car out on Monday to take on some of the world’s best 410 racers.
The Enumclaw, Wash. driver, piloting the Van Dam Racing No. 33v Shark-powered Maxim sponsored by Van Dam Dairy, Corliss Resources, Rich Van Dam Dairy, Shareway Industries and GMS Metal Works, got to race in an Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event at Grays Harbor Raceway.
Van Dam earlier received top finishing 360 honors in June at the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway. On Sunday at Grays Harbor, Van Dam received hard charger honors and received a little bonus money. There was more bonus money for the 360’s against the Outlaws on Monday. Besides, it was the Outlaws and just like Dirt Cup before, Henry figured “why not?”
Van Dam qualified 35th out of 47 cars, beating a 410’s on a track that was dry and slow. His time of 14.445 seconds put him in the third heat race with the likes of Danny Lasoski, Lucas Wolfe, Shane Stewart and Jac Haudenschild. Van Dam finished ninth and his qualifying time resulted in him starting near the front of the C-Main.
In that eight-lap C-Main, which sent only two cars to the B-Main, Van Dam impressed everyone by easily winning the event in his 360-powered car. Several 410-powered cars were in that field and did not transfer. Starting next to last in the B-Main, which the World of Outlaws referred to as the Last Chance Showdown, Van Dam rode around to a 12th place finish out of 16 starters. The 11th finishing Jay Cole was the only 360 driver to have a better finish then Van Dam. For his efforts, Henry picked up a $400 bonus.
Henry next competes this Saturday, September 6 with a track championship at stake at Grays Harbor. Van Dam is the long shot, being fourth in points. However, he’s only 18 points behind leader Glenn Borden Jr. and anything can happen on championship night. Two weeks later he’ll take part in the 2nd Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial Sprint Challenge in ASCS Northwest Region competition.
Henry Van Dam, 26, is one of the up and coming sprint car racers in the Pacific Northwest and one of the most popular. Van Dam has wins at both Skagit Speedway and Grays Harbor Raceway to his credit and also has a victory with the old Northern Sprint Tour in 2006. Henry has run at both Washington dirt sprint car tracks several times and has also run with the ASCS Northwest Region this season.
- - -
Henry Van Dam’s sponsors
Van Dam Dairy
Shark Racing Engines
Corliss Resources
Shareway Industries
Rich Van Dam Dairy
GMS Metal Works
Speedmart Inc.
Jack Dilley Logging
D & L Equipment Repair
Enumclaw Suzuki
Char’s Barber Shop
Enumclaw Express Lube
Foothills Auto supply
Stanely Patrick Striping
Pete Voss
Bob & Joann Schumway
Enumclaw Auto rebuild
Fire Down Graphics
- - -
Grays Harbor Raceway - Elma, WA: http://www.graysharborraceway.netAdvance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series: http://www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprint
|
