Jessica Dana will be making her second start in a Limited Late Model when she competes at Southern National Motorsports Park in the Spooktacular on Sunday, October 22nd – and she enters the race with plenty of optimism.
The 22-year-old from Olympia, Washington will be racing for Lee Pulliam Performance, the same team she raced for when she scored a third-place finish at Motor Mile Speedway on September 9th. After exceeding expectations with that top-three result at Motor Mile, she’s increasing her expectations for Southern National on Sunday.
“Just like everyone else competing, our expectations are to win,” Dana said. “This is only my second race in a late model on the east coast and after exceeding all expectations at Motor Mile Speedway last month by tying for pole in qualifying and getting a podium finish, we have a lot of confidence coming into this race.”
Dana began racing Go-Karts when she was 15-years-old, winning two championships in her rookie year. She then moved up to Super Late Models the following year, racing at tracks across Washington State for five years before being sidelined from the sport.
A few short years ago, Dana was unsure if she would ever get to race again after stepping aside. However, after acquiring sponsorship, she found herself in a Legend Car in 2016 and has been racing ever since, scoring a handful of victories and numerous podium and top-five finishes.
“I stepped out of a race car in 2015 and never thought I would race again,” Dana explained. “I met my now sponsors Pro Pac International and J&J Machinery Transport May of 2016 and was in a Legend Car by June. The owner gave me a shot in the dark and we have been successful at every track we’ve gone to thus far. I am extremely thankful to be back behind the wheel of a race car again, I truly love all aspects of the sport.”
This weekend, Dana is racing in a Limited Late Model prepared by four-time and reigning NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion Lee Pulliam. Pulliam is one of the most accomplished drivers in Late Model Stock Car racing history and many of his accolades have come at Southern National Motorsports Park.
Racing for Pulliam gives Dana great resources as well as a great mentor who will be devoting his time on Sunday to helping her get to victory lane.
“This will be my second race running for Lee Pulliam Performance and my first race with Lee Pulliam at the track,” Dana commented. “That whole team is a class act and I’m looking forward to learning from such a good group of people especially Lee.”
Dana, who has a podium finish in her lone Limited Late Model start so far, will face off against some tough competition in Sunday’s 100-lap Limited Late Model race at Southern National Motorsports Park.
In addition to the Limited Late Models, the Spooktacular will feature twin races for the Fast Five Pro Late Model Series, a 65-lap Mini Stock race and racing for the Legend, Bandolero and Any Car divisions.
For more information about the Spooktacular, visit the event page at http://www.snmpark.com/spooktacular.
