Inside Line Promotions - ELMA, Wash. (June 8, 2014) - Henry Van Dam has won back-to-back races for the first time since 2007.
Van Dam led all 25 laps last Saturday at Grays Harbor Raceway during the Summer Thunder Sprint Series event, which gave him a victory for the second straight Saturday.
"It's been a good couple of weeks," he said. "The last year has been a struggle and we just kept working to get everything better. It took us some time to figure things out. We're making progress. I wouldn't say we're exactly where we want to be, but it's a turn in the right direction."
The action kicked off on Saturday with Van Dam qualifying second quickest at his home track.
"We got to go out early so that definitely helped," he said. "(The track) was even drier in qualifying. As the sun went down the track came back."
Van Dam then powered from fourth to second place on the opening lap of his heat race. He took the top spot on a restart on Lap 3 and cruised to the win.
With the feature inversion a zero, Van Dam started the main event on the outside of the front row.
"Getting the jump on the start was huge," he said. "Getting in clean air makes the car handle so much better. I got into a little bit of lapped traffic, but was able to get through it pretty easily."
Van Dam maintained the lead throughout traffic and a pair of cautions en route to the triumph.
"My car was better on the top," he said. "I went up there and had my momentum up. I knew if I didn't make any big mistakes (the polesitter) would have a hard time doing anything. When we got to lapped traffic I made sure I was able to pass cars without getting slowed up too much. It was just a good, clean night overall."
Van Dam is scheduled to compete this Friday and Saturday at Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore., where he won the inaugural Marvin Smith Memorial last weekend.
QUICK RESULTS -
June 7 - Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. - Qualifying: 2; Heat race: 1 (4); Feature: 1 (2).
SEASON STATS -
11 races, 2 wins, 3 top fives, 6 top 10s, 8 top 15s, 8 top 20s
UP NEXT -
Friday and Saturday at Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore., with the ASCS Northwest Region
MEDIA LINKS -
Website: http://www.HenryVanDam.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanDamRacing
VIDEO -
Here is a link to a video by ARRacing of Van Dam winning the Summer Thunder Sprint Series event at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash., on June 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2sBRaf5l1c&list=UUHdJ0ENxEZD5Vo6Y4nZayoA&feature=share&index=1
APPAREL -
Van Dam has t-shirts and sweatshirts available for sale at his race trailer.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Factory Kahne
Factory Kahne is a leading shock manufacturer. For more information, visit http://www.FactoryKahne.com.
"They are good friends of mine from way back and they've been incredible with knowledge and support over the years," Van Dam said.
Van Dam would also like to thank Kovash Logging, Johansen Excavating, Enumclaw Xpress Lube, Les Schwab Tire of Enumclaw, Clems Enumclaw Powersports, Van Dam Dairy, Village Green Resort, D&L Equipment Repair, Zender Equipment, Big Bob's Flooring Outlet, Bob and Joan Shumway, Kellan and Kelsey Hall, Foothills Auto Supply, American Powder Coating, Pete Vos, Char's Barber Shop, Wesmar Race Engines, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, SpeedMart, Van Dam Farms and Rich Van Dam Dairy for their continued support.
Van Dam led all 25 laps last Saturday at Grays Harbor Raceway during the Summer Thunder Sprint Series event, which gave him a victory for the second straight Saturday.
"It's been a good couple of weeks," he said. "The last year has been a struggle and we just kept working to get everything better. It took us some time to figure things out. We're making progress. I wouldn't say we're exactly where we want to be, but it's a turn in the right direction."
The action kicked off on Saturday with Van Dam qualifying second quickest at his home track.
"We got to go out early so that definitely helped," he said. "(The track) was even drier in qualifying. As the sun went down the track came back."
Van Dam then powered from fourth to second place on the opening lap of his heat race. He took the top spot on a restart on Lap 3 and cruised to the win.
With the feature inversion a zero, Van Dam started the main event on the outside of the front row.
"Getting the jump on the start was huge," he said. "Getting in clean air makes the car handle so much better. I got into a little bit of lapped traffic, but was able to get through it pretty easily."
Van Dam maintained the lead throughout traffic and a pair of cautions en route to the triumph.
"My car was better on the top," he said. "I went up there and had my momentum up. I knew if I didn't make any big mistakes (the polesitter) would have a hard time doing anything. When we got to lapped traffic I made sure I was able to pass cars without getting slowed up too much. It was just a good, clean night overall."
Van Dam is scheduled to compete this Friday and Saturday at Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore., where he won the inaugural Marvin Smith Memorial last weekend.
QUICK RESULTS -
June 7 - Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. - Qualifying: 2; Heat race: 1 (4); Feature: 1 (2).
SEASON STATS -
11 races, 2 wins, 3 top fives, 6 top 10s, 8 top 15s, 8 top 20s
UP NEXT -
Friday and Saturday at Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore., with the ASCS Northwest Region
MEDIA LINKS -
Website: http://www.HenryVanDam.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanDamRacing
VIDEO -
Here is a link to a video by ARRacing of Van Dam winning the Summer Thunder Sprint Series event at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash., on June 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2sBRaf5l1c&list=UUHdJ0ENxEZD5Vo6Y4nZayoA&feature=share&index=1
APPAREL -
Van Dam has t-shirts and sweatshirts available for sale at his race trailer.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Factory Kahne
Factory Kahne is a leading shock manufacturer. For more information, visit http://www.FactoryKahne.com.
"They are good friends of mine from way back and they've been incredible with knowledge and support over the years," Van Dam said.
Van Dam would also like to thank Kovash Logging, Johansen Excavating, Enumclaw Xpress Lube, Les Schwab Tire of Enumclaw, Clems Enumclaw Powersports, Van Dam Dairy, Village Green Resort, D&L Equipment Repair, Zender Equipment, Big Bob's Flooring Outlet, Bob and Joan Shumway, Kellan and Kelsey Hall, Foothills Auto Supply, American Powder Coating, Pete Vos, Char's Barber Shop, Wesmar Race Engines, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, SpeedMart, Van Dam Farms and Rich Van Dam Dairy for their continued support.
