This months showcase driver for the ministock class is Derek Sanders.

This months showcase of on ministock driver Derek Sanders.

Derek is from Evansville, Indiana and still resides there. He has been married to his wife Penny for about 10 1/2 years now.

The couple have (3) children; Danielle 9, Daniel 14, and Jordan 15.

Derek got into racing when a friend of his bought a car and let him race. His team consist of Pennie, Canielle, Bryan Wright and Connie Baldwin. He owns the car and maintains it with the help of his pit crew. The car is a 1996 Dodge Neon.


Sanders all smiles after a feature win


Derek started in racing in 2004 and since then has raced 90 times with a total of 27 wins and 81 top (5) place finishes. Derek was the 2006 Track Champion at Chandler Motor Speedway in Chandler, In.

You can catch Derek racing at Western Kentucky Speedway in Nebo Ky., Chandler Motorspeedway in Chandler In.,
I57/I64 Speedway in Mt. Vernon Il., I55 Raceway in Pevely Mo., and Soggybottoms Speedway in Morgantown Ky.


Derek would like to go to Paducah International Raceway in Paducah, Ky. which he plans to race at during the 2008 season.


Derek's advice to a new comer to racing?

He replies, "My best advice (which I need to follow sometimes) is to be patient. Its better to finish 2nd than to than to wreck going for the lead."


Derek in action at Chandler


On October 6th, Derek plans on going back to I55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. for the Sportsman Dirt Nationals where he finished 4th last year. Then plans going back on October 15-18 for the Dirt Car Dirt Roundup.


Derek's Sponsors:

TED BROWNS QUALITY PAINT AND BODY in Newburgh In.
DAVE FAVERS PERFORMANCE XHAUST in Evansville In.
WRIGHT STEEL in Evansville In.
EL CHARRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT in Evansville In.
IN FLIGHT RACING AND GRAPHICS in Owensboro Ky.
DOUBLE COLA CORPORATION of Chattanooga Tn.


Front view in action on the track


Dirt Scoops Question: Any funny stories in your racing career you would like to share?

Derek replies, "It was in 2006. I was racing at Western Kentucky Speedway in Nebo, Ky. and was winning the race. On the last lap I hit a bump and hit the kill switch with my hand and shut the car off. I still finished 2nd, but now I can look back on it and laugh. Considering I did it 3 times before I moved the switch."


Who Derek thanks for his success?

Derek's answer, "1st of all, I want to thank all my sponsors. They are the reason I have had great success. My crew for helping make the car as good as it is. But most important my wife, Pennie, for putting up with me working in the shop to all hours of the night"

.
Derek shares, "Every win stands out to me because they are all different. But if I have to pick, I would have to say it would be the races that my sponsors are there to see."


Another action shot


Fans can visit Derek's web site at http://www.sanderracing.com

 


Thanks Derek for the interview and good luck from Dirt Scoops!