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Getting Up To Speed With…Jeffrey Rivers

Getting Up To Speed With…Jeffrey Rivers
By Ben Deatherage
This week’s edition we talk with one of the rising stars of Willamette Speedway. Cutting his teeth on Kart tracks across the Pacific Northwest in his youth he would win three championships in those ranks before moving up to the Sprint Car ranks. After a hiatus of a couple years Rivers would get an opportunity to drive for car owner Scott Byram in his #34 IMCA Modified where in 2013 he would win his first career feature at Willamette.

Driver: Jeffrey Rivers
Home Track: Willamette Speedway
Hometown: Lebanon, Oregon
Occupation: Assistant Manager Diesel Mechanic
Age: 20
Years Racing: 12

Classification: IMCA Modifieds
Car Number: 45
Chassis: Larry Shaw Race Cars
Sponsors: Western Metal Fab, Monster Energy Drink, Newport Candy Shoppe, Cub’s Cave, S.R.I. Industrial Contractors
Special Thanks: Scott Byram, Robert Hoefs

BD: Four races into the 2013 season how would you say the year is going?
JR: It’s been up and down. The first few races we had fuel issues and the next week we won the race. In the last race the rear end blew up. But I was always taught it doesn’t matter where you finish, it’s if you had fun. Well I’m in a race car and I’m having fun.

BD: How did the deal with your car owner Scott Byram come about?
JR: Him and my dad are very good friends. Scott’s kid Mike ran Karts with us. One winter he gave me a call asked if I wanted to race for him. He knew I hadn’t raced for a few years and we’ve been together ever since. Scott is a real genius when it comes to cars.

BD: I remember when you were younger in the Karts when you were the guy to beat. Do you remember those days?
JR: Yeah. I remember having some phenomenal seasons in the 500cc class. There was one winter when we went down to Red Bluff twice a month. That year we raced every single weekend. The power to weight ratio for a Kart is very similar to a Sprint Car. The thing I liked about the 500’s was that it was not all about motor or horse power, it was more about setup.

BD: For a couple of years you ran a Sprint Car but stopped. Why was that?
JR: It was all finances. My dad paid the bills on that car. The economy took a toll on my dad’s business. We ran a few Non-Wing races last year at Willamette. I may run it this year but when I do I have to flip the bill. But right now my priority is the Modified.

BD: Your entire career I’ve seen you run the #45. Is there a story behind that number?
JR: I’m a third generation driver. That was my dad’s number when he ran Late Models. Also my grandpa Larry ran that number on one of his asphalt Stock Cars in California. It always has stuck.

Willamette Speedway will be on hand for two nights of racing this weekend for the annual Clair Cup. The races will take place on Saturday May 25th and Sunday the 26th with the DIRTcar Super Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Super Sports, Sportsman, and Street Stock divisions all on hand. The Northwest Extreme Late Model Series will also be on hand to take on the DIRTcar Late Model competition. For more information on the latest news and stories regarding the Willamette Speedway log on to www.trophymotorsports.com.

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