JEREMY DOSS LOOKS FOR IDAHO 200 REDEMPTION AT STATE LINE SPEEDWAY
(July 27, 2020 by Kevin Peters) – One of the most successful Late Model drivers on the West Coast will be making his way north from Upper Lake, CA to Stateline Speedway (ID), for the 21st Annual Idaho 200. Jeremy Doss has established himself as one of the best in the region, and he will be looking to expand his resume in the Northwest, when he takes on the ¼-mile asphalt oval for a second time on July 31 and August 1st. Doss finished fifth in this same race in 2018, but it was a late race incident, while leading, for which Doss will be seeking redemption. Photo by Michele Martin.
That 2018 event found the 2019 Kulwicki Driver Development Champion leading a race-high 104 laps. While leading on lap 184, contact from another competitor sent Doss spinning out of the lead. He recovered to the top-five, but the chance of victory was eliminated for the 2018 SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series Champion. Despite that experience, Doss doesn’t feel that he needs to prove himself to the competition, but winning would certainly feel good.
“I don’t feel like we have anything to prove, but it would be nice to come out on top after bad luck in 2018”, Doss replied.
The Madera Speedway Short Track Shootout winner will enter the Idaho 200 on the heals of two consecutive victories. He was the winner of the Spears Modified Series event at Irwindale Speedway, nine days ago, and scored the Nut-Up Pro Late Model win in the televised Madera Speedway Series last weekend, setting a New Track Record. The competition was tough in both of those events, but a 40-car entry at Stateline Speedway is something that Doss really looks forward to. In his opinion, competing against the toughest competition is the best way to display his team’s talent.
“I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge”, Doss related. “It’s another big event that gives us an opportunity to showcase that we are one of top Pro Late Model teams on the West Coast.”
With the large field expected, Doss knows he will get to compete against the tough competition that he desires. But there are several competitors that he is especially excited to face, and they have ties to his early days behind the wheel, and his Lake and Mendocino County roots in Northern California.
“I’m really looking forward to racing with Kyle Tellstrom and Trevor Cristiani”, Doss explained. “We all grew up racing Karts together, but we don’t get to race together very often, so it should be a lot of fun! Including Kyle and Trevor, I think Glenn Knutson, Haeden Plybon, Garrett Evans, and a few other drivers will make for some pretty tough competition!”
In addition to the stiff competition, Doss is also looking forward to competing against teams that will be new to the two-time Pacific Challenge Series Champion. The extra distance event also adds an additional level of appeal for Doss, who is used to running 50 to 100 lap features in his home state.
“For me, the most exciting part is getting to race against a bunch of different drivers I’m not used to running with”, Doss explained. “Plus, it’s 200 laps which we don’t get to run too often with a Pro Late in California.”
The two-time Montana 200 winner will be bringing a familiar piece to this weekend’s event. The hotrod Doss has ready for the Idaho 200 is a Super Late Model he used in the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series. The car has been driven in 2020 by his father Mike Doss, Jeff Bischofberger and Jeremy. The Spears Modified Series Championship Leader used that same steed as a Pro Late Model, when he nearly won at Irwindale Speedway, after taking the challenge to start from the rear. Doss methodically worked his way through the 25-car field, to take the lead late in the race from East Coast Pro Late Model star Cole Williams. A stalled car on the inside of Irwindale’s 1/3-mile oval resulted in Williams evading the slowing vehicle and turning Doss, with under five to go. Despite the setback, Doss will use a similar strategy this weekend, which nearly paid off in the big win back in February.
“I feel the key to winning a 200-lap race, on a ¼-mile, is keeping your nose clean and being patient”, Doss explained. “It’s a long race, and a lot can happen, so to have a shot at winning you need to be there at the end!”
If Doss is there at the end, it won’t be surprising to see young star take home the $5,000 winner’s share of the purse. The team has proven to be formidable everywhere they race. The driver is talented, the team is talented, and they have a great support system in place for the powerhouse organization. Doss is proud of their efforts and thankful for the opportunity he has been provided with.
“I’d like to thank my parents Mike and Denise Doss, Duane Sharp, Todd Coburn, and Dale Dodds for making this trip possible. Also, I would like to thank our sponsors for the continuous support; Earnest Performance, Senneker Performance, S&S Sports Enterprise, Swift Springs, PFC Brakes, Pitstop USA, Horse Power Project, Joes Racing Products, Speedy Signs, RT Painting, and Competition Carburetors!”
The 21st Annual Idaho 200 weekend features two days of racing, from top drivers from all over the Northwest and beyond. Over 40 Pro Late Model drivers are expected at this year’s event. Qualifying and the Last Chance Qualifying race will be held on Friday. Also, the Pro Late Models will be joined by the Hobby Stocks and the Hobby Stock Shootout. The Park Model Homes Mini Stocks will also be racing in the Steinbach 77 Memorial Race. Saturday will include the Pro 4 Trucks and the Flattop Roofing Legends. The 21st Annual Idaho 200 will wrap up the weekend’s action in grand style.
