David Polenz Honored as a Racing Legend At ODS

David Polenz honored as a Racing Legend at Old Dominion Speedway

Saturday night at Old Dominion Speedway prior to the Lee-Grant 100 race the ODS staff honored many of the speedway’s legends from years gone by, many of the Legends on hand are drivers that David looks up to, they each were brought to the stage to receive a Legend Honoree Plaque for their achievements in Motorsports. While David sat among the owners and drivers, he was pleasantly surprised when the track announcer, called his name and announced him as being Old Dominion Speedway’s youngest Legend. David had been told he was there with the family to accept an award for their historic Triple Win night; he didn’t expect this announcement and was very honored to be acknowledge as a legend with other drivers that he looks up too. In his interview, David said “Im just beyond belief I am being honored with the Legends sitting behind me, without them, there would be no one to teach us younger guys how to race hard, and how to represent this sport and keep NASCAR Racing alive in the future.” David also promised a win for Old Dominion Speedways creator and original owner, Al Gore, for his 94^th birthday which was Saturday night, David delivered on that promise later in the night by winning the 100 lap event.

David’s Old Dominion Speedway Accomplishments:

David’s driving efforts at Old Dominion have resulted in being the only driver to win a championship in both, INEX Legends Cars and NASCAR Late Models, doing it in a span of 3 seasons. David has over 25 wins at the Speedway in 80 starts, including 2008 when he won over 50% of his races, 7 out of 13 races. His Average finish in five seasons at the track is approximately a 3.5. David has won three championships thus far at Old Dominion, two Rookie of the years, and a Horizon award.

Big races he has won: Three Legends Reunion victories, a “Big One” Win, and the INEX Legends Cars Regional Qualifier 50 lap National Event.

The Polenz Family Honored for their Triple Win Accomplishment

David, Ryan and Jessie Polenz were also called to the stage for their historic night at the famed Old Dominion Speedway.  Gary Gore presented them with a plaque for being the only family in the tracks history to have three members of the same family to win three feature events in one night.  The Polenz trio were joined on the stage with their father/uncle/car owner Jeff Polenz, Mother/Step Mother/Aunt Terry Polenz, there entire race team, Joe Murphy and family, Brian and Brandi Grupe, Bob Moon, Thorir Thorison, Derrick and Elaine Gates, Dave Moon and Justin Workman for the presentation. This night will never be forgotten by those who were there, nor the drivers and family involved.  The three wins didn’t just make track history, it also made NASCAR history, and don’t worry, the three plan on doing it again someday. Ryan and David also each have a track championship on the line this Sept 15^th.  Ryan goes into the last race, just 14 points ahead of second place. Ryan must finish 6^th or better and no matter what the other driver does he will be the champion, currently Ryan has an average finish of 1.5. David is in the exact opposite position as Ryan, because David has missed 3 races at ODS this season, he has to make up 24 points to defend his 2011 ODS Championship, with twin 100 lap features on the schedule for the season finale “The ODS Big One” it is still very possible to do.

Come out to Old Dominion Speedway for season finale to see how it turns out for the Polenz family in 2012!