Lombard Teen Earns Motorsport Title 'Rookie of the Year'

From Power Motorsports Media

A student at Glen Westlake Middle School, also has been a student on the race track.

Jacob VanWazer – a 14-year-old – evidently learned well on the track in American Speed Association Midwest Truck Tour competition, evidenced by the Rookie Of The Year title he clinched Friday, at Lacrosse Fairgrounds Speedway.

VanWazer finished ninth in the ASA event – the last of the 2012 season. The finish clinched the rookie title, over Darrell Peterson, who trailed by over 30 points entering the finale.

The Lombard driver was eighth in qualifying and needed a top-10 finish in the race, to secure the rookie title and the $1,000 bonus. However, with temperatures dropping significantly from the first practice to the main event; the setup that worked earlier in the day, may not work in the 25-lap race with 35-degree temperatures.

But VanWazer was able to avoid major incident and remain in the top-10 throughout the race. His father – Rick – served as crew chief and helped guide Jacob away from trouble, Friday and as he had the entire season. Evidently the combination worked, because VanWazer clinched another honor in Lacrosse.

Despite being too young for a driver’s license, VanWazer not only earned the rookie title, but finished sixth overall in the season standings. Both are rare feats to accomplish, especially as a young teen in a regional touring series. The driver said the crew chief and the competitors, helped his journey.

“It’s great to have my dad around and the other drivers have helped make me so much better,” VanWazer said. “Other drivers taught me how to enter the corner, come off the corner, adjustments to the truck to make it better….everyone has helped.”

The VanWazer family intends to again compete full-time in ASA competition and no delays have been put on an eventual high school graduation – he managed to miss only two days of school, while running in each ASA truck event this season.