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DOW Bay City 2008 - Champ 2 |
JAY FOX BECOMES HOMETOWN HERO IN BAY CITY! WINS CHAMP-F2 FROM POLE POSITION IN 30 LAP EVENT! 
 BAY CITY, Michigan – 23rd of June, 2008 – Bay City native son Jay Fox drove his Prime Brothers Furniture/Independent Bank sponsored boat to a flag to flag victory over the rough waters of the Saignaw River in downtown Bay City in front of an adoring wildly cheering partisan crowd numbering in the thousands as he held off last years winner and series defending champion Kris Shepard to make up for his bad memories of last years “non race” on the same race course.
The 29 year old hometown driver who has 20 years of racing experience behind him focused on nailing the all important pole position and did so with two successful runs in the Saturday pair of 10 lap heat races that determined the starting field.
“We were so focused this season to do well here,” said Jay. “You can’t believe how much pressure has been lifted from my shoulders now that we have finally reached the top step of the podium. You can’t imagine the excitement and relief I am feeling right now.”
While the fans were cheering on their new local hero, last years winner Kris Shepard wasn’t making it easy on him in his Dobson Industrial sponsored new hull that he was still getting sorted out in a big hurry.
“The boat at first didn’t feel right,” said Kris. “But the more I drove it, the better I felt and became more confident in it and now I think it has great potential and will be ready to push for a win when we head to St. Louis for the next round in early August.”
At the start, Kris pushed hard from the outside but out of the final corner it was Jay who was able to hold the inside and then carve his way around traffic constantly having just enough “real estate” to keep the Illinois driver from trying to jump past him winning by about 10 boat lengths as the checkered flag dropped.
Meanwhile, behind the leading duo, rookie Jose Mendana Jr. was staying close for the first few laps and then drifted back into a few seconds back while Don Lick of St. Paul, Minnesota was right there trying hard to reach the podium in a nice battle for the final podium place.
The native of Miami, Mendana, in just his first season since winning last years SST-45 World Championship, was also putting in time later in the day adding the 50 lap F1-ChampBoat race to his resume by running more laps than any other driver.
Mark Proffitt of Lake City, Tennessee started his weekend in the wrong way flipping his boat in the rough water and then piecing back his boat in time for qualifying and the final. He recovered nicely however, giving Lick a hard run for most of the race eventually finishing 6th.
Returning driver and Michigan driver Mike Klepadlo did an admirable job finishing 5th and lap down from the leaders. Mike rejoined the circuit along with his father Dennis who also ran in the F1-ChampBoat final later in the day.
Jimmy Merleau, who tore his boat up in a big way in 2007 at this event and failed to start just like Jay Fox, this time got in the race but only completed 17 laps having problems, forcing him in and out of the pits eventually finishing up in the 9th position.
When it was all over, the city of Bay City was again getting a chance to see their hero Jay Fox take the victory for the city he loves and lives in and one that has had racing every June since 1988. A special place Bay City and now a special “hero” to go along with it! |
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