LIMA — When races get canceled due to rain, drivers usually become frustrated. Even though it isn’t the best case scenario, current Bud Thunderstocks points leader Jordan Conover sometimes doesn’t mind if races get canceled. Conover and company will be on hand Friday night, competing in Fast Friday II – Presented by Homeland Technology Group at Limaland Motorsports Park. The F.A.S.T. 305 Sprints, K&N Filter Modifieds, and Bud Thunderstocks will all be set for action. The pit gate opens at 4:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
“We’ve had a lot of rainouts this year and I always tell my crew that a rainout just means another week of us leading the points,” Conover said with a laugh. “We’ve been consistent. We try to keep the maintenance up on the car and keep it going in the right direction.”
Conover currently has 662 points while Tony Anderson and Justin Long both have 654. With the stiff competition, Conover loves competing at Limaland.
“Limaland is a bullring,” Conover said. “It’s a small track and people always say that it’s a driver’s track. You have to have fast reactions. I grew up watching my uncle race. I was the kid making my own dirt track in the grass behind the scenes, one day hoping I’d be on the main track. Now I’m out there.”
Just like many racers, Conover got his start in racing at a young age.
“When I was 9 years old I was playing midget football and my dad’s friend, Mike Streicher (1991 National Midget Champion and current University of Northwestern Ohio instructor in the High Performance program), asked me if I’d rather race cars or play football,” Conover said. “For me it was a no brainer. I started racing quarter midgets. Quarter midgets are for kids ages 4-18. I traveled Region IV which consists of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. It used to consist of 10 tracks. I also raced national races that took place in Kansas.”
Growing up around the race track, Conover stays true to his roots when it comes to his crew.
“My crew consists of my family,” Conover said. “My dad and I own the cars and I really enjoy working with my family every night. It’s a family oriented thing. I trust them 100 percent. We raced at Waynesfield not too long ago and I broke a drive shaft. I thought I was done but they were able to fix it and got it ready. I have a lot of faith in those guys.”
With under one month to go, Conover hopes to remain consistent, but the possibility of winning a championship isn’t going to be the only great thing when August gets here.
“We actually have a baby on the way,” Conover said. “The last race is Aug. 4 and the baby is due Aug. 2. I ask the baby every night to hold off until after the last race, but if the baby is the reason I don’t win, that’s a pretty good reason not to be able to participate.”
For Fast Friday II results, check out the Sunday edition of The Lima News.
