PORTLAND, Oregon — Having won the 2009 Yakima Speedway Fall Classic, Joey Tanner knows the appeal of the Northwest’s premier finale for late model drivers. While it’s been some time since the Portland native has been wheeled of a pavement late model, Tanner will take advantage of a unique partnership to drive for a second Classic victory in the last three seasons.
"I’ve found it a lot easier for me to adapt back to the pavement from dirt,"— Joey Tanner
Buckling into the driver’s seat of the Eastside Paving Chevrolet owned by Rick Suran has been in the works for several weeks, but just became reality in recent days, Tanner explained.
“(Suran) and I have been talking about this for awhile now and it finally came into play a few nights ago. Rick has been a close friend to our family and has been a sponsor of mine in all of my racing years. This is by far the biggest thing he has done for me. Allowing me to drive the No. 40 Eastside Paving Chevrolet at a race I have circled on my calendar every year is a true honor and I might say a pleasure heading into the weekend.”
After running a successful dirt late model season across the Northwest, Tanner has no doubt his touch on the pavement will be at its best when the green flag drops on Sunday afternoon.
“I’ve found it a lot easier for me to adapt back to the pavement from dirt,” he said. “You never really lose your touch once you’ve found it when it comes to driving any car on any surface.”
In addition to have a feeling that never leaves when it comes to running pavement, Tanner believes his 2011 dirt track schedule has been a big boost to his overall driving style.
“Driving the dirt car all year has updated my reflexes for controlling a car that is all over the place like dirt late models can do. I think it will be an easier transition to control a car on the pavement that isn’t perfect in the handling department,” Tanner noted. “Another thing that will help me more then anything else is the fact that I’ve wanted to get back behind the wheel of a (pavement) late model so bad but funds couldn’t allow it. Plus, I really want to win this one badly!”
This weekend’s Fall Classic will be the first time Tanner has been the driver of Suran’s race car during competition. Taking the team’s notes and his own style to Yakima gives Tanner a confident feeling, he added.
“This Lefthander chassis that I’m running is a very good piece; in fact I would say it’s an even better car than my late model. When I shook the car down for Rick earlier this year it had a power plant for a motor and it cut in the center of the corner unlike any car I’ve ever driven at Yakima. I helped set this car up so I learned what it likes and doesn’t like which will be a big help for the Fall Classic.”
With no points on the line and a winner’s check of over $7,500, Tanner has one simple goal as the race approaches.
“Checkers is all that matters to me in racing,” he said. “I go to win the race and if that goal is not met in my thinking it’s a bust (race weekend). This car is more than capable of being a winning car for this year’s Fall Classic. With the support of Rick Suran, Eastside Paving, Jody’s Bar and Grill and an engine from Nutter Racing Engines it’s easy to say we are all very optimistic of our chances at getting a second Fall Classic win in the last three years.”
