ROCHESTER, Washington — What an exciting way to return to the track after a disappointing crash during the April 16th, 2011 Super Late Model race at South Sound Speedway.
After tons of help and donations from many friends and Sponsors Tyler’s Dad, Kelly Tanner and the Tanner Motorsports crew were able to rebuild the 65 car in order for the 19 year old, ASU student to return to the track on Saturday May 28th, 2011. And what a return he made….
The 65 car clearly caught everyone’s attention as Tanner entered the track for the first round of practice laps. After only five laps there was no doubt that Tanner had returned once again with his smooth and powerfull demeaner.
After a scoring mishap during qualifying, Tanner was forced to begin the first feature at the back of the pack. That made no difference however, in just the first few laps he cleanly took over the 3rd position. That’s when the caution flag was drawn and the drivers were forced to line up for another start. When the green flag dropped, the crowd roared as Tanner beautifully passed to take 2nd, and then 1st place by lap 15. It was smooth sailing the rest of the race as Tanner gained a half lap lead and maintaned that lead till the checkered flag was waved at the end of the 50 laps.
As always Tanner thanked his Mom and Dad, along with everyone else who worked so hard to get him there.
The second feature began similar to the first. This time Tanner hung back for a few laps and got into his groove. It wasn’t long before he began baiting and passing each car in front of him to get to 2nd. Tanner hung out in 2nd for a few laps in a nose to tail battle waiting for the perfect opportunity to take the lead, which happened on lap 23. After an exciting pass on the outside, Tanner took first and once again pulled away from the pack to gain a half lap lead. Tanner maintained that lead again to take 1st in the second feature of the night.
Tanner once again thanked everyone who worked so hard to get him back to the track as he received his second 1st place trophy of the night.
Tanner and his crew returned to the pits where he gladly signed autographs and took pictures with the little ones. “Once the crowd had cleared Tyler was aproached by a pair of young brothers,” says Erin Dafoe “one of the brothers had received his own trophy that night. With out any hesitation, Tanner handed over his own 1st place trophy to the youngest brother to keep as his own. That’s Tyler’s style though, he never thinks twice about doing something nice for someone else.”
Tanner intends to continue racing at South Sound Speedway in Rochester, WA along with Spokane County Raceway, Yakima Speedway, and The Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA for the remander of the 2011 season as long as his team can aquire proper funding.
If you have any interest in a charitable advertising partnership with Tanner Motorsports please contact Erin Dafoe @ erin.dafoe@hotmail.com 360-480-9795/ or Leanne Tanner leanne@tylertanner.com / 206-792-6247
