Port Orchard Driver Qualifies for National Championship Event

Photo courtesy Thom Vick, Evergreen Speedway

July 10th, 2011, Port Orchard, WA
The Righteous Racing team qualified for the 2011 U.S. Legends Asphalt Nationals at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring, to happen later this year. With a strong run at South Sound Speedway in Rochester, WA, on Saturday night, Jon VanGesen, of Port Orchard, driver of the #17 race car, earned a provisional starting position in the 2011 U.S. Legends Asphalt Nationals A Main Event.



At South Sound Speedway on Saturday night, Jon VanGesen started fifth out of 14 cars at the Regional Qualifier for the National event. At the drop of the green flag, Rachel VanKopp quickly moved in lead followed by VanGesen, before one lap was completed. It took several more laps for VanGesen to get around race leader, VanKopp (#79). VanGesen took the lead while dealing with constant pressure from VanKopp and then pressure from Longley (#40) after passing VanKopp.



The race was delayed and shortened from its original 50 laps to 30 laps after several cautions for spins, wrecks, and a blown motor with other cars in the pack. Pro Driver Longley worked passed VanGesen for the lead. While Longley and VanGesen worked lapped traffic, Master Driver Duane Swanson (#16) and Pro Driver Rowan Carey (#42) were able to get in the top 3 when Longley and VanGesen got pushed up the track at the north end of the Speedway. Swanson passed Longley for the lead and VanGesen passed Carey who then encountered a motor issue. Swanson won the main event, followed by Longley and VanGesen in 3rd place. Swanson had won a Regional Qualifier last weekend, at Meridian Speedway in Idaho, giving VanGesen and his team the Masters Division Regional Qualifier position for the South Sound Speedway event. [Soft Break]

The team is owned by Thom and Jai VanGesen, of Port Angeles who provide the 1937 Chevy Sedan Legends to Jon VanGesen. Jon was the 2007 Outlaw Compact Champion, 2008 NW Legends Semi Pro “Rookie of the Year” and Championship runner up, and 2009 NW Legends Masters Division Champion. Crew members for the team include Jerry West, Ian VanGesen and Steve Deets, who assist with repairing and setting up the car for each race.[Soft Break]

Special thanks to all our Kitsap area professional business partners. Our 2011 professional business partners include; Cutters Point Coffee, the Kitsap County Corrections Association, Westbay NAPA Auto & Truck Parts, 911 Driving School, Les Schwab Tires, Foster Family Connections, and Camp to Belong Washington.[Soft Break]

Special thanks to all our Olympic Peninsula professional business partners. Our 2011 professional business partners include; Olympic Game Farm, Port Angeles and Sequim NAPA Auto Parts, A1 Auto Parts, Les Schwab Tires, The Auto Doctor, Dockside Grill, John Miller Insurance, Northwest Mortgage, Mt. Pleasant IGS, Extra Mile Electric and Steve’s Repair.

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Media contact Jon VanGesen (360) 535-2479, righteousracing3@hotmail.com