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January 22, 1999 Meet Dennis Demers
Orlando SpeedWorld - This year it will be my pleasure to introduce our Florida Stock Car fans to some of the drivers that compete on our racetracks. Since they are racing on Florida tracks, we do consider them home folks. Last night it was my pleasure to talk to one of these drivers - Dennis Demers driver of the #86 Late Model and Busch North Series racer. |
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Dennis comes from Shelburne, Vermont and has loved racing all his life.
But at the age of 44, he decided that if he was going to try this sport we
all love, it was now or never. So he started out in what is known as the
Sportsman division for two years. From there he moved to Pro Stock
which is basically the same as our Late Model division and raced on the
American Canadian Tour for a couple of years. And after that, he came
to the Busch North Series.
In his first year at racing the Busch North Series, Dennis was 18th in points
which is not bad for a beginner or rookie. Last year Dennis finished 11th in
points and improved quite a lot. His best finish was second and his goal for
this year is to stay competitive and hopefully be in the top 10 in points.
Dennis has no plans to leave the Busch North Series although someday he would
like to also race some Busch South races.
Dennis has his whole family behind him in his racing efforts. His son
Trampas is his crew chief and his wife Kathy never misses a race although
last night was the first one she has missed in years. Even Dennis's folks,
his mom and dad who happen to be 79 and 80, were in the stands last night
to watch their son race. They attend every race they can and Dennis truly has
the love and backing of his family to help him.
For Dennis, racing is a hobby. Although he does have full-time people to work
on his Busch cars, Dennis must work also himself to be able to race. He has
no major sponsors, except for his company - Shelbounre Limestone Corp. So
no matter what, all his expenses are his responsbility. And I am proud to say
that Dennis can work on his own cars as I watched him in his pits do so last
night.
About four years ago, Dennis discovered our tracks - Orlando SpeedWorld and
New Smyrna Speedway during SpeedWeeks at Daytona. Since Dennis started
out so late in life racing, he was very smart and realized that he needed all
the track time he could get to improve his driving skills. And since we all know
that Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway don't have an off-season, it
was a good place to improve his driving skills. So when the Busch North
Series has an off-season, Dennis comes to Florida and races. And we are certainly
glad that he does.
Although Dennis is a first generation racer, he has two sons that will
probably carry on the racing tradition of the Demers family - Travis and Trampas.
Trampas has tried his hands at racing but for now he is dedicated to being the crew chief
of the #86 Late Model. But don't be surprised to see the Demer name in future
racing series.
In five years, I still expect that we will see the name of Dennis Demers
racing whether it be Busch North Series or Busch South. He has already raced with
some of the best and I know he will continue to do that for many years to
come. And I hope that he will always come back home to Florida and race with us
and be a part of our family also.
-Jane Smith |
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