PORTLAND, Oregon — After a top-3 finish in his Engage Energy Drink asphalt late model at Yakima Speedway last weekend, Joey Tanner returns to his dirt late model roots Saturday night at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore.
In his last dirt late model start the Mt. Hood College student picked up a win at Cottage Grove. The challenge of racing on dirt after being one week removed from the Yakima half-mile is daunting, Tanner said.
“Willamette has always been a difficult track for me but after our last run at Cottage Grove Speedway where we picked up the win I’m optimistic about my chances in our No. 111 Rocket Chassis.”
Heading to Willamette with momentum is another factor playing in Tanner and his Jody’s Bar and Grill race team’s preparations.
“(Finishing second to Owen Riddle last week) couldn’t have come at a better time” Tanner said. “The team and I were getting a little bit frustrated with how the year was starting and to go out and have a good
top-3 run was a breath of fresh air. Finally with our team’s first actual finish (on the asphalt) in 2010 things seem to be going in the right direction especially with also having a win under belt in the dirt late model.”
With major differences in weight and driving style from one week to the next Tanner has to be on his toes at all times, he noted.
“You have to be fearless headed into a race weekend on the dirt. These dirt late models only weigh 2,250 pounds and have almost twice the horsepower and torque (then my TQT Chevrolet Impala asphalt late model).
You’re always on the edge of out of control but the dirt late model is more forgiving on set-up so thrashing on your car all day is less likely than on the pavement which makes it a lot more relaxing at the dirt track.”
Tanner will have some time off coming to him in the next few weeks but racing will still be a big part of his upcoming weekends, he explained.
“I might take a week or two off to relax and catch up on my NASCAR but you never know. We do plan on continuing to run in Yakima and some more dirt late model races in the meantime.”
To learn more about Tanner’s upcoming stop at Willamette Speedway log onto the driver’s website at www.joeytanner.com or the track’s homepage www.trophymotorsports.com
