 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joey Tanner Is Getting
The Job Done:
Joey Tanner is a 16-year-old second-generation dirt Late Model driver and if there is any question about the validity of this young man's talent the proof is in the puddin'. 2005 is his rookie season behind the wheel of the team's CJ Rayburn Race Car and by mid-July Tanner finds himself fourth in the season-long championship points chase for the Pacific Coast Xtreme Dirt Car Series (PCXDCS). Tanner is also running for the PCXDCS Rookie of the Year title and don't for a minute think that will be a cakewalk. 14 drivers have signed up for the rookie title chase and in mid-July Joey Tanner sits atop of the heap.
And while his career first win has eluded him so far, it's bound to happen sooner rather than later. The 16-year-old Tanner has grown up in the sport having watched his father, Jody Tanner race. The elder Tanner is a west coast legend having been a highly successful asphalt and dirt racer for three decades now. He currently races asphalt cars at Yakima, WA in ASA and at Southsound Speedway in Tenino, WA. He also races a limited schedule with the PCXDCS.
In addition to his own car and son Joey's, Jody Tanner also fields a car for Bob Dietrich who competes in the Chevrolet Crate Motor Limited Late Model Class at Sunset Speedway Park. Joey's older brother, Brad, has been a long-time successful racer as well and has won several Street Stock track championships and now competes occasionally on the PCXDCS (his '05 schedule will be sparse due to new business endeavors).
"My dad raced at Portland Speedway, where Greg Biffle came from, for about 30 years and I have been going to tracks for as long as I can remember," responded Joey Tanner, who his crew calls 'Terminator', when asked about his family history in racing. "He used to race asphalt late models there. Been growing up watching my Dad and brother Brad race."
Tanner is not some brash young spoiled kid. He's humble, modest and within a couple minutes of conversing with the friendly young man his passion and enthusiasm comes through loud and clear. He is truly grateful to be able to race and especially enjoys competing on the PCXDCS.
"It's an honor," said Tanner. "Most 16 year olds don't get a chance to do this, it takes a lot of money to do it. Having a tutor like Greg Walters and having a crew for two cars, it's a once in a lifetime chance. It's a dream come true."
And Tanner, based on his talent and demeanor, has been accepted on the series.
"I've been accepted pretty well," stated Tanner. "Most drivers probably look at a 16 year old and wonder what that's all about but I get along good with them. There are no enemies. There is a lot of respect in our series and it's been nice for them to take us in. We're all friends. They all race me clean. It's a good thing, they are just going out there to race. The age thing isn't a big thing. They treat me as if I was 30. They don't see me as any different on the track."
Besides his father, brother and crew, Tanner is also grateful for the assistance he gets from his 'mentor', Greg Walters, perhaps the hottest driver on the west coast right now. "Greg is the 'Mr. Northwest'"," commented Tanner. "He is definitely the fastest guy I have been around. It's been awesome having him as a teammate and mentor. He's changed my attitude at the racetrack. Every mistake I make he tells me and I change it. He is helping make me better."
Tanner isn't just about racing though. His parents insist on a well-rounded education and other activities and to that end Joey Tanner is an outstanding student and athlete at Reynolds High School where he gets good grades and competes in baseball, basketball and football. "I play running back in football, I play point guard in basketball and in baseball I play short stop and pitcher," revealed Tanner. "The family definitely has a rule about grades. No good grades, no racing. It's hard with all the traveling and dedication and like going to Early Thaw at the end of the semester but yeah, I definitely have to keep my grades up to race."
Tanner looks at his rookie season in dirt Late Models and can't find much to complain about. "Its pretty good to be fourth in points for the first year," said Tanner. "I have gotten some bad luck along the way. I'm in the top three and something happens, so fourth in point isn't bad. I'm just happy to be racing in it. We get guys from the Western tour coming and racing with us too. It's an honor to race with those guys."
"Whether we go to Knoxville, Early Thaw or on the Pacific Coast Xtreme deal, I try to give it my all. I want to do whatever it takes to get to where I want to be when I get older."
Tanner gets the job done in a CJ Rayburn Race Car powered by a Mick Gray Automotive engine under the hoo dof his #1. Sponsorship support comes from Eastside Paving, Jody's 'Nothin' But Fun', Walters Racing, Waltersracing.com, ABC Restaurant Repair and Iron Tech Welding & Supply.
One thing Tanner repeatedly brings up is his appreciation to his family.
"If it wasn't for my Dad I wouldn't be racing," said Tanner. "All my success is because of him. He's spent the money and did the traveling. He has been doing great things for me. I love my Dad and my Mom. My Mom is screaming at the track (laughs)! It's hard to watch a car on three wheels when I'm young I guess. It's probably a little scary for my Mom."
"I especially want to thank the crew at Walters Racing, Brian Amstutz, Jeremy, Greg Walters, Dave Walters. Doug Walters, the guy behind the Pacific Coast Xtreme Dirt Car Series for giving me a chance to run with those guys. I definitely want to thank (PCXDCS PR Director) Steve Reeck who takes photos. He's a great guy. I'd like to thank him and Gary Jacobs for the media coverage."
"My grandfather is in the hospital now and I hope he gets better. My first win will definitely be dedicated to my grandfather."
It's probably a safe bet that the first career dirt Late Model win fro Joey Tanner will come very soon!
He's that good!
©2005 Doc Lehman/Dirt America
