THE BEAR EATS UP THE R-O-Y

Source: Dave Grayson
Date: 10/16/2007

Las Vegas, Nevada's Bear Rzesnowiecky was officially named the 2007 ASA-Go Fast-Speed Truck Challenge Series', (ASA STC), Rookie of the Year just prior to the series' September 29th race in Blythe-California. For anyone who has been watched this regional touring series for racing trucks then you already know that they have created their best season in their eleven year history. A big part of that excitement has been Bear Rzesnowieckly.

This 15 year old racing phenom is part of the Las Vegas based United Nissan Team who are also enjoying the prospect of a great 2007 racing season. At this writing United Nissan driver Darren Young is leading the points standings with a better than good chance of win his third series title with only one more race left in the season. Rzesnowiecky currently sits third in the series' standing just 70 points away from his team mate.

Rzesnowiecky wrapped up the series' rookie title 30 days early and that's because he's been a model of consistency. His 2007 series stats includes one win, 8 top five finishes and 11 top ten finishes. It's that kind of consistency that leads to post season rewards. That level of consistency also comes from experience. Despite his still young age Rzesnowiecky already has amassed a decade's worth of seat time.

Like so many stories, behind successful race drivers, Rzesnowiecky started his driving career in go karts. It was through this karting program that he gained knowledge and experience both on oval tracks and road courses. His karting years soon led to Bandelero cars and he quickly mastered that form of racing as well. It wasn't long before he graduated to the faster Legend Car Series. It was in these cars that his driving ability really flourished and he quickly became a frequent winner in the Legend Series at the Las Vegas Bullring. He still campaigns a United Nissan Legends car during his off time from his duties with the Speed Trucks. In fact, if you check the numbers from the Bullring you'll find that Rzesnowiecky is at the top of the Legend points and could take the track championship. That's pretty remarkable considering his busy schedule hasn't allowed to make all of the Bullring events.

There are two basic reasons why Rzesnowiecky is enjoying the 2007 racing season so much. Certainly one of them is United Nissan Racing. This high quality organization has a stellar record of producing winning results and provides its drivers with the best resources available. It's these resources that has produced several trips to victory lane and championships. Certainly one of those resources has been driver Darren Young. This 43 year old veteran driver and champion has amassed years of experience on many of the track's located in the southwest. He has been more than willing to share that knowledge with his young team mate. It was Young who encouraged Rzesnowiecky to drive his United Nissan Team truck hard but, at the same time, keep his nose clean. That's the kind of advice that the young driver paid strict attention to and that good advice has produced his on track results this year.

The second major reason for Rzesnowiecky's success is the rock solid support from is family. Bear is the third generation of the racing Rzesnowieckys and it's been clear that this racing acorn didn't fall far from the family tree. With that comes the knowledge and advice from his Dad: Steve Rzesnowiecky. This is a driver who has enjoyed many moments in victory lane in just about every form of racing that you could name. The experience the elder Rzesnowiecky has gained from his success has been passed down to his young son and that also is a huge factor in the on track results from the 2007 season.

On April 7th Bear Rzesnowiecky won his first ASA-STC race in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. After parking his United Nissan Truck in the Havasu 95 Speedway victory lane a proud father watched his son celebrate his first series win and said "the kid has a lot of drive and the drive that he shows inside of a race car is just unbelievable. He puts so much effort into this both mentally and physically. He trains himself with running to keep in great physical shape and that effort shows. He works hard and he drives hard."

Sharing those sentiments from that Havasu evening was Bear's Mom, Pat Rzesnowiecky, who said "this is very exciting. They've put together a great team behind us led by Lee Keach, Greg Knight and the rest of the team mates. It's a great combination with the teams they've put together including the drivers that they have."

Without doubt Bear's Grand Mother, Anna Rzesnowiecky, is in charge of the team's cheer leading unit. The lady attends everyone of her Grandson's races and can be seen wearing her now famous checkered flag bandanna. With every lap of the race she waves her bandanna to wish him good luck. She also makes it a point to send every press release about her Grandson to the family in her native Germany.

At age 15 Bear Rzesnowiecky is already better than veteran drivers twice his age. With the support of United Nissan Racing and the racing Rzesnowieckys behind him his career capabilities are unlimited. Keep an eye on this young driver. One of these days we'll be saying we knew him when he first started his racing career.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend