| Driver Profiles | Photos | Racing Links | |
| Discussion Board | Live Chat | News Archives | Advertising |
| Weather |
 |
Early Results Good for Project Crate Engine Stock Car ANKENY, IA (May 29, 2008) – Project Crate Engine Stock Car is officially in full operation. Last Wednesday night, May, 21st, area Stock Car driver Mike VanGenderen debuted his new Stock Car at the Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA. There was another twist to the debut; VanGenderens’ Stock Car was the first to compete with the GM Performance Parts 604 Crate Engine. Things went well for VanGenderens’ first night out. Mike raced to a fifth place finish in his heat race and finished sixth in the Stock Car “A” Feature. After the race VanGenderen commented, “This engine has plenty of power and the throttle response is good”. “I am very happy with the engines performance for the first night out”. “Keeping in mind that it has been a while since I have raced a Stock Car at Osky and considering the fact that it is the first night out in a new car, I am very happy with our overall performance”. “The guys who finished in front of us are all experienced drivers with real good equipment, I will make some adjustments on the car and next week we will be more competitive”, concluded VanGenderen. Fast Forward one week. Wednesday May, 28th, VanGenderen returns to the Southern Iowa Speedway with his Project Crate Engine Stock Car. Winning his heat race, VanGenderen would re-draw the ninth place starting position for the Stock Car “A” Feature. Starting the twenty lap event from his fifth row inside starting position, VanGenderen would impressively move toward the front. A mid race caution would find VanGenderen running sixth and from the restart Mike would race his #57V Stock Car into the third place, challenging for second. A late race caution would come out relegating the #57V back one spot for the restart. “We didn’t need that last yellow” Mike said at the end of the race. “We had to restart on the inside of the double file line up and by that time in the race there was noting left on the bottom of the track”. “All night I had been passing on the top and on the restart a couple of cars got by before I could get back to the high side”, added VanGenderen. At the checkered flag, VanGenderen would hold on for an impressive fifth place finish. Again, ahead of VanGenderen was the “cream of the crop” in Stock Car competition at the half mile Southern Iowa Speedway. The top ten finishing order was 1. 33Z Zack VanderBeek, 2. 60 Kurt Krauskopf, 3. 12M Brian Mitrisin, 4. 29 Matt Greiner, 5. 57V Mike VanGenderen, 6. 32T Bobby Greene, 7. 409 Howard Gordon, Jr., 8. 7 Rick Todd, 9. 7X Dave Bennett, 10. 52 Nathan Wood. At the end of the night, quite a crowd gathered at the VanGenderen pit. Drivers and fans stopped by to confirm that the engine in the VanGenderen machine was indeed a Crate Engine. On hand was GM Performance Parts Representative from Karl Chevrolet, Chuck Stowe who would field many questions from the inquisitive crowd. Stowe commented that several drivers had serious questions and where strongly considering the use of the factory sealed, durable and economical Crate Engine. “With the interest that is being generated, I’m sure we will see more 604 Crate Engines in the Stock Car division in the very near future”, stated Stowe. In an effort to further promote the use of GM Performance Parts Crate Engines, Karl Chevrolet will award any competitor who wins a feature event with a GM Performance Parts Crate Engine purchased through Karl Chevrolet, with a Contingency Certificate valued at $100. “Winners of the $100 certificate can come into the dealership to purchase parts, items from our Pro Shop, GM Accessories or even use it to toward the purchase price of a new vehicle”, stated Carl Moyer, avid race fan and owner of Karl Chevrolet. Karl Chevrolet is one of the leading suppliers in the country for the GM Performance Parts and GM Performance Parts Crate Engines used by sanctioning bodies, racing organizations and independent race tracks across the country. These durable, economical engines are built and sealed at the factory by General Motors to prevent any expensive modifications. |