This Saturday, September 21, Champion Racing Association will host an exhibition race where rookie drivers in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance get time in the limelight ahead of the Owosso Nationals.
Drivers like Evan Varney (No.16), Keegan Sobilo (No.77), and Dyan Stoval (No.24) gear up for battle under the lights in Central Michigan. But they aren’t the only drivers on hand, as a special exception by series officials put two veterans of racing back behind the wheel. Bob Varney, father of Brandon and Evan Varney, will be racing the number 61 Saturday night with David Simko in the number 45.
Bob Varney made three starts in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour (JEGS Tour) from 2012 to 2014 as well as two starts in the ASA Winchester 400. Prior to the JEGS Tour’s inception in 2011, Varney scored one Super Pro Series win and two with the US Pro Series. Bob Varney’s success in more recent years is Crew Chiefing for his two sons Brandon Varney and Evan Varney, both competing full-time on the JEGS Tour. Bob says motivation to participate in the New Stars race isn’t just to be back behind the wheel but for the first time, he has an opportunity to race against his youngest son, Evan. Bob will pilot the white no. 61 VanDoorn Racing Development Chevrolet normally driven by Brandon Varney. Evan will be behind the wheel of his traditional black Drive Train Specialist no.16 Chevrolet.
David Simko’s racing career spans nearly six decades. The now Car Owner of the Prestige Steel no. 45, with drivers Michael Simko and Steven Ulman, used to own more than just cars – he and his family owned Owosso Speedway. Before that, David made ten starts in the NASCAR Cup Series and 104 starts in the ARCA Menards Series where he scored 19 top 5s. Closer to home, Simko competed in the ASA National Tour, Iceman Super Series and drove to victory lane in an MSPA Late Model race at Flat Rock Speedway in 1980.
Both Bob and David have made a positive impact on racing in Michigan as the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour welcomes them back in the driver’s seat! 16 drivers are slated to race in the New Stars Race on Saturday night September 21 at Owosso Speedway.
Sunday afternoon’s Owosso Nationals 150 has grown to 30 drivers. Tickets are just $14 per day. Catch the races live on Racing America and TrackTV.com.
