Inside NOVA Story, David Going To The Denny Hamlin Showdown

MANASSAS, Va. —

David Polenz, Old Dominion Speedway’s 2011 Late Model champion, has been busy this preseason. Not only has he been preparing for the upcoming Late Model season, but he has also been making preparations to race in Denny Hamlin’s Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway on April 26th.

Polenz, along with 46 other Late Model drivers, was invited to compete in a 75-lap Late Model race against Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Michael Waltrip, Trevor Bayne and other Sprint Car drivers. The race benefits Hamlin’s charity foundation and will be shown on Speed channel at 8:30 p.m.

“It’s a pretty big deal for us,” Polenz said. “It’s a good opportunity to showcase my talent.”

Last week, Polenz put up a website in which fans could contribute to sponsoring his car. The team was short on funds because they needed a new built motor, a suspension system and money for tires.

Polenz’s fans and sponsors came through big. They contributed $7,000 in four days. The team was hoping for an additional $3,000. They now have enough to compete in the race, although they need more funds for tires to be more competitive.

“I never would have thought that we could’ve raised this much money, especially in four days,” Polenz said. “I’m really thankful for it and I’m blessed to have gotten this opportunity. It makes you realize the type of people you have around to support you.”

Polenz is also grateful to Robert Bruce and to Sheehy Auto Stores for their help.

Polenz and his team will be holding a fundraiser on April 22nd at a local On The Run Store. Location will be announced on his facebook page and website.

“We trying to put together five or six sets of tires and that’s $3,000,” Polenz said. “We’ll need that to be competitive.”

Polenz is planning on running a limited schedule at Old Dominion this year. He’ll race the first two races and then on four-tire nights. He’ll race at various tracks to gain more experience and exposure. His goal is to move up in the NASCAR ranks. He’s hoping that Hamlin’s Short Track Showdown at Richmond will be a first big step.

“Racing against the Sprint drivers will give me the chance to put my name out there on the big screen,” Polenz said.

He said it was special winning the championship at ODS last season.

“The race team I had behind me, with Bob and Dave Moon, helped me moved forward,” he said. “And working out and keeping fit kept me from getting tired at the end of races.”

Polenz said that having extra sponsorship also contributed to his success.

“Having enough sponsorship helped us getting tires and with the fact that we didn’t have to worry about whether we were going to be able to afford each week’s racing,” Polenz said.

Polenz said in previous years he’d had good teams but Bob Moon made the difference last year.

“Bob knows exactly what to do when something is going wrong,” Polenz said. “He knows what to do with the car if it’s tight or loose or not handling — and most times he would get it right.”

Polenz said his most satisfying night last season was when he won twin races on Sept. 11th.