South
Carolina Motor Sports Racing News
Return to Contents SCMSRN.com Thursday, November 12, 2009
CONCORD, NC (November 12, 2009) – The Snowball Derby weekend at Five Flags Speedway is known as one of the biggest short track races in the land - if not the biggest. And when the entry lists come out, it’s never much of a surprise to see drivers entered from the Southeast, up the East Coast and even up into the Midwest. Each year, a few drivers from the Plains and even Texas enter the event, and on rare occasions, a California driver or two shows up on the entry list.
But for the third time in his career, Royal City, Washington-native Zach Niessner will once again likely claim the title of “longest haul” when he travels cross county (2,800 miles) to compete in his third Snowflake 100 at Five Flags Speedway on Saturday night, December 5.
“We have some big races on the West Coast and up in the Northwest, but there is nothing like the Snowflake 100 and Snowball Derby,” said Niessner. “I’ve had so much fun racing in the Snowflake in the years past; I couldn’t pass up running it again this year. Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten the chance to run a lot of races this year because I’m been spending a lot of time with my business, but I won’t miss the Snowflake race.”
This year, Niessner will team up with the Stroupe Brothers Racing team based in Iron Station, NC for the event. The Stroupe Brothers Racing team fielded a Super Late Model for 17-year-old Zach Stroupe earlier this season, as well as an IMCA-style Dirt Modified for 14-year-old Nick Stroupe. The team debuted their new Hamke chassis Chevrolet Impala at the PASS South event at Hickory Motor Speedway on July 4-5. The car practiced in the top-five all weekend long before “new car blues” reared their ugly head in the race when a brake locked up and Zach had to park the car just 40 laps into the event.
“I’ve not had the chance to be around the Stroupe family very much, but from everything I’ve heard, they are just awesome people and run an equally awesome race team,” added Niessner. “I know the car that they finished building over the summer and ran at Hickory is one awesome piece. I’ve not raced very many Hamke cars in my career, but I know with Mike’s knowledge of that particular chassis, and some of the things we’ve been working on at Short Track Enterprises here in Washington, we will have an awesome car.”
Niessner will also have the opportunity to bring along his partner at Short Track Enterprises, Late Model standout Travis Bennett, who will serve as crew chief for the race.
“I’m really looking forward to this Snowflake 100 maybe more then any of the others that I’ve raced because it will be the best car I’ve had yet and I already have two years of experience there under my belt, so I know more of what to look forward to. Plus, I will have the guys that I’m used to working with there and also the knowledge of the Stroupe Brothers Racing team.”
Niessner has had an up and down history at the Snowflake 100. In 2005, Niessner qualified third for the event while racing for SS Racing and ran in the top-five all night long before falling victim to a mid-race accident. In 2008, Niessner ran the event for 5K Motorsports and found himself as high as third late in the race before having to pit under green for tires. He finished 14th.
Like many drivers, Niessner’s career started in Go-Karts. Zach competed in the NASCAR ranks around the Pacific Northwest and became the youngest driver to qualify for a NASCAR Elite Northwest Series race. Niessner also ran the ASA National Tour, moved to Indianapolis, signed with SS Racing and ran a part-time schedule as a teammate to three-time ASA National Champion Butch Miller. In 2004, Niessner started his own Zach Niessner Racing. An ASA pole at USA International Speedway and pole and third-place finish in the NASCAR Southwest Series event at Irwindale led up to a race win at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, where Zach came in and beat the regulars of the NASCAR Southeast Series, picking up the legendary guitar that goes with winning at the famed high-banked half-mile.
“I know Zach is an accomplished racer and I’m just happy that we are going to get the chance to work together,” said Stroupe Brothers Racing owner Mike Stroupe. “Zach is so knowledgeable about Super Late Model cars that he’ll be able to teach all of us a thing or two. The knowledge that he and Travis both bring to the table will make this car competitive. I just hope that I can do all I can to help them out and give them a good piece to go after the win.”
2 Dudes Designs, The Decal Source and Short Track Enterprises will co-sponsor Niessner at Pensacola.
When not behind the wheel, Niessner co-owns and runs Short Track Enterprises, in Ellensburg, Washington. STE is a one-stop shop for all a driver and team’s racing needs in the Pacific Northwest. Headed by racers Travis Bennett and Niessner, STE performs a variety of services for racers who are in need of a little “help,” from car setup to full vehicle maintenance and preparation. STE can build a new car from the ground up, help get the correct setup for a specific track, repair a wrecked car and fabricate any parts that will help give an added advantage. With knowledge that spans decades and plenty of wins and championships between the owners, STE is becoming the source for running up front and winning in the Northwest and beyond. STE can be found on the web at www.shorttrackenterprises.com.
Jeremy Troiano and Dale Averill formed 2 Dudes Designs in mid-2008. The company specializes in website design and maintenance, public relations and team press releases, hero card design and logo designs. The company way built on the philosophy of exceptional customer service comes first. The goal is to do what is needed to make the client happy, and to do it at an affordable price. Clients include NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Joey Logano, UARA driver Brandon McReynolds (son of Larry McReynolds), NASCAR East Series teams Andy Santerre Motorsports and Matt Kobyluck, NASCAR West Series teams MJ2 Racing and Gene Price Motorsports, ARCA and Camping World Truck Series driver Mikey Kile and several others.
Ó SCMSRN.com/Paul J Miller 3rd, 2000-2009