Chuck Corder

D.J. VanderLey’s excellence on the racetrack is undeniable.Five Flags Speedway fans have seen it up close and personal the last few years. It all culminated in 2010 when VanderLey dominated the pro late model competition en route to a convincing track title.

He currently sits second in points heading into the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Azera 100 on Friday at Five Flags on a night that features Modifieds and Double Points Night for Sportsmen and Bombers.

The grandstands open at 5 p.m. Friday with admission as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. The pits open at 2 p.m. with passes costing $25.The pro late model class isn’t the only class where VanderLey is skilled.

The 19 year old is a sophomore in Auburn’s honors college and the university has singled out the mechanical engineer major for both his 4.0 grade point average and racing career.

VanderLey’s achievements both in and out of the classroom have been spotlighted in a brochure and he was an invited guest of honors college faculty members at a recent dinner on Mobile Bay.

VanderLey knows establishing those connections this early in his college career should prove invaluable until he graduates and, possibly, later in his life.

“These people will always be here for me and help me in any way that they can,� VanderLey said from the Auburn home he rents with several friends. “I’m sure they’ll be a valuable part of my career.�

His enthusiasm to win, period, is as high as his GPA.

VanderLey virtually was unbeatable a season ago in sweeping pro late model track titles at both Five Flags and Mobile International Speedway a season ago.

VanderLey remains winless in 2011, however, as both tracks shifted from 40-lap events to 100 lappers.

He’ll try to close the 21-point gap on series leader Bubba Pollard on Friday. It promises to be another dynamite field with some of late models top drivers.

VanderLey has been able to stay near the top of the standings thanks to consistent top-four runs. Still, that alone won’t ease the pain of his winless wounds.

“Every season we’ve won at least one race. I sure don’t wanna break that now,� VanderLey said. “The breaks just haven’t fallen our way. I hope we didn’t use up all our luck last season. We just need good timing.�

Timing and luck.

The mechanical engineer inside VanderLey just needs to find the right variable to solve racing’s perfect equation.