Port Orchard driver, Jon VanGesen, 40, won the 2009 Northwest Legends Masters Division Championship at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval on Saturday night, September 26th. VanGesen drives for the Righteous Racing team out of Port Angeles. The 2009 NW Legends Series season consisted of 20 racing events at seven different speedways in Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
The team is owned by Thom and Jai VanGesen. Their son, Jon, drives a 5/8 scale, 1937 Chevy, Sedan, powered by a 1200 Yamaha motor, specific for the Legends Series, based in Charlotte, NC.
In 2009, Jon VanGesen won two overall main events and five Masters Division main events en route to the 2009 Championship. VanGesen’s overall wins came on the flat and fast half mile oval at Yakima Speedway and on the smooth high banked ¼ mile oval at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho.
Jon VanGesen was the 2007 Outlaw Compact Series Champion and the 2008 NW Legends Semi Pro “Rookie of the Year” and Championship runner up. The team members include; Jerry West, Jacob VanGesen, Ian VanGesen and Steve Deets, who assist with repairing and setting up the car for each race.
“Winning two Championships in three years, in two different racing series, shows the strength of our race team. Thank you for the commitment of so many businesses that we represent to thousands of race fans each racing season”, Jon VanGesen said.
Several local businesses support the Righteous Racing team. They include; Cutters Point Coffee, Kitsap County Corrections Association, 911 Driving School, Brothers United, Les Schwab Tires, Westbay Napa Auto & Truck Parts, FosterFamilyConnections.org, Steve’s Repair, Mt. Pleasant IGS, Gordy’s Pizza, Dockside Grill, the Auto Doctor, A-1 Auto Parts, Northwest Mortgage, John Miller Insurance, Extra Mile Electric and CrashSupply.com.
Owner Thom VanGesen said, “Our race team would like to thank all of our sponsors in helping us accomplish our goal to win the 2009 Championship. We could not have won this Championship in our second year, in the Legends Series, without their financial help. It is also a great asset to have one of the best drivers and racing teams in the Northwest.”
