Hobby Stock champ DeGrave moving up to race with the ‘big boys’ by KYLEBALY TUXEMBURG, "Wis — Alter a suceessfl season ichind the whee of an IMICA abby Sock Dave Decraveis ‘mowing on up in the world of Tacing. in 200 hell get behind the wheel ofan INCA Stock Carand take on what he ters asthe "tag boa “its afvaye the clas that Ie wanted to rice snd how that ve graduated from Slings its actually more SHorbte forme” “After the 2008 cempaiga in swhichDeCravevwon} Beate two tick championships St iy fection “ick Of Tuxemburg. Speedway tnd neatby ‘Thunderhill Riceway. and the: Wisconsin Sate, ‘Championship, "The Hianmer" as he is commonly refered. to, decided it war fime fo move up to the ultra competiiveStockCardivison ST'iind. of accomplished a my goals set out for nyse In the Hobby Stocks” he mentioned. "This year f won the to tack ten a8 well as the state championship. also improved om my. win total ftom the seson befone(aeven vine in 2007) a9@ knew i Gia that, T would want to take the fom up DeGrave, guialed this pact your font the Uriventy Te visconsin Mirace sith depen mache] Shgincorng He mentioned that ine dogs ha realy helped in hs mcg. creer “realy Gok advantage of he raining received while I was in school Leaming how a oxr works, the Statie's and dynamics behind {are things I've applied to my DeGrave, 25, hast been behind the wheel of a race ‘az very Tong, bat success has followed him on a yearly basis He was Hobby Stock Rookie ‘of the Year in his freshman ‘campaign in 2004, von Most Improved Driver in 2005 and placed inthe top-five in points In Bist two seasons. He's also gamered Best Appearing Cat ‘rari in both 2005 and 2005, DeGrave understands that switching to the faster Stock (Cars wil requizesome variation in driving style. “T would say the horsepower and a bigger ‘engine in a Stock Car is going ‘tobe the biggest adjustment for sme. 've been known to have 4 Tead foot,” he joked, so the hardest thing for me willbe not ‘ospin the tres. With the added ‘weight, though, T think il be aa big advantage over driving 2 Hobby Stock” Dave pointed out that racing at both Limemburg and ‘Thunderhill, both clay surfaces, sakes a diference as well “UD here in Wisconsin, most of the tracks are day, they dry out fairly early and get real smooth 40 yout Team to be easy an the throtte, Otherwise you's just spinning your tres and heading backwards while everyone else fs passing you.” Racing against the kes ‘of defending ICA Stock Car National Champ Red Snallonbergor, Mate Junio, Brian Bruechert and the Colwell brothers, Jesse and Jamie on 2 ‘weekly basis, DeGrave knows he hashis work cut out for him, He's not setting his goals high to begin with, "'m just gonna go out and give Ht hell” he chuckled. "My expectations will be small fo start with, T don’t want to set a bunch of goals end then be disappointed. Rookle fof the Year and a couple of eature) wins would be cool though. T've been watching some of these guys race since Twas a little kid, so I'm just looking forward to going out there and banging with them ‘every weekend.” DeGrave enjoys the perks fof IMCA. racing. for” several reasons. “The rules, first and foremost, becruce it keeps everyone honest" he pointed out. “Ws a level playing field ‘where the best driver and best setup wins, not who has the ost money.” Dave plans on return visit to Marshalltown Speedway in July for the "Great American Stock Car Shootout.” “That ‘was one of the best times I had racing there last season, I love ‘ttbecause ofthe banking there, you can throw tin the comers and then step onthe gas can't wait to race there again.” Even though he's just starting in a Stock Car, DeGrave ‘doesn see himself moving to another division in the future, DAVE DEGRAVE OF Luxemburg, Wis. shown here after feature ot Thunderhil Raceway on May 10, 2008. DeGrave hopes his success from last season ‘ransions over fo the IMCA Stock Car division in 2009, — Don Lewis Photography stating that’s where he intends to stay for a long while. “T don't see myself moving up or driving in any other class down the road Thad the opportunity todrive aSportsMod lst season fora couple of weeks, but [ike the full-bodied cars with the fenders, where there's a lie more bumping and banging,” “This is where [ve always wanted 40 be” DeGraves crewmembers fnchude Wes Salentine, Jason “Tooter” Vandenhouten, James Zellne, Brad Trem, Notb Ps Paul DeGrave and his father Dave alzo wanted to dole out special thanks to MarcusMoede, Ben Kroll and Dave “Demon” Budzhan, DeGrve Racing is supported by such Finesponsors ts DeGrave Mediablasting & Painting LLC, Renies Sanitation, ComerstoneMfortgagebySieven 1 Woulf, Cabinet Creations, Romdenne Construction, R&S Thee and Stump Removal, Village Kitchen, Concrete winning an INCA Hobby Stock Finishers, Gary Vandenhouten Construction, Pro-Tec Body and Paint, The 54 Run, Davister’s Bar & Restaurant, Anderson- Domer Builders, Vandrisse Racing Parts, Mike Challis Masonry, Ulimate Air Heating and Cooling, Davister Carriage Ries, Coon Racing, Lyie's DJ Service, Demon Race Engines and Budzodesigns.com, For more information about Dave DeGrave Racing you can log on to www. ejraveracing.com,