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Still Looking for First 100-Lap Victory, VanderLey Hopes to Steer Allen Turner PLM Win

Chuck Corder

It appears D.J. VanderLey has added a new member to his late model team.

If it was up to him, though, the two-time defending Pro Late Model champion at Five Flags Speedway would fire it in a second.

A 1,000-pound gorilla has taken up residence in VanderLey’s hauler and it seems to travel to every track VanderLey pulls into.

The Auburn honors college sophomore hopes to leave it somewhere on the shoulder of Pine Forest Road before the Pro Late Models open their season with the Allen Turner 100 on Friday at Pensacola’s high banks.

“We’ve had some, pretty rough luck,� VanderLey said. “We went to Opp (and South Alabama Speedway), had a real strong car. Then, in Mobile, in my Pro car and we had the best one there before a wreck. Five Flags, we had a great car there last week.

“We keep on putting a strong piece out there. We just need luck and some patience and things will start falling our way. Hopefully, we can get the bad luck out of the way earlier.�

VanderLey and Nationwide Series rookie and hometown girl Johanna Long lead an elite late model field into Five Flags when the gates open at 5 p.m. Friday.

The West Florida Coatings Sportsmen and Butler U-Pull-It Bombers will continue their season when the grandstands open at 5 p.m. Friday with the pits open at 1 p.m.

Grandstand admission is as follows: $15 adults, $14 seniors, $12 military, $12 ages 12 thru 17, $5 children ages 6 to 11 and free for kids under 6. Pit passes are $25.

After winning nearly every PLM race in 2010, VanderLey went winless in 2011 and his 2012 has had an inauspicious start to it.

Despite closing last year with a runner-up finish in the Snowball Derby — the crown jewel for Super Late Models nationwide — he still is trying to solve the 100-lap conundrum.

In last Sunday’s Pepsi Next 100, the season opener for the SLM in the Blizzard Series, VanderLey lasted barely a lap before a seal broke on the oil cooler.

He has also been involved in ill-timed wrecks. VanderLey is candid that in his desperation to get that long-awaited win, he has forced the issue at times.

“You want it so, so badly,� he said. “Let’s get out front, and get out front now. As a driver I need to have more patience, more maturity behind the wheel during the race. That’s what will pay off more in getting that first win.�

VanderLey knows he’ll have his hands full Friday, especially with a certain Snowball champion making her triumphant return to PLM.

Long won the Derby in 2010. She last raced a PLM came the night before in the Snowflake 100.

Long will be driving the PLM of Tommy Rollins on Friday evening and she’s looking forward to battling her close pal VanderLey and the rest of the Allen Turner field.

“I was actually texting her (Wednesday),� VanderLey said. “I’ve driven that car once in a test and know it’s a really good car. She, obviously, knows her way around there and should be tough to beat.�

Despite his frustrations, VanderLey still can call himself a two-time PLM track champ at Five Flags.

It speaks volumes to the consistency the young driver has maintained in the face of adversity.

“No one can ever take that away from us,� VanderLey said of his titles. “Guys come in from out of town, come to us and ask how you drive here. That’s a good feeling, especially when our luck isn’t going so well.�

He hopes that all changes Friday.

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