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44 Steven Saunders          Updated by Driver: 1/12/2010
Proofed by Staff: 3/5/2010

 Driver Information
Hometown: Bellevue,NE
Birthdate: 4/24/91
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 145
Email Address: saundersm@cox.net
Marital Status: Single
Job: Papillion South High Student
Year Started Racing: 2002
Total Years Racing: 8
Racing Hero: Jeff Gordon - When he first started racing back when I was five, I really liked his colors, and as I started following him racing, I realized that he was a great driver too

 Car Information
Year/Make/Model: 2005 MasterSbilt
Motor: Chevy 602 Crate 350
Owner: Michael Saunders
Crew Chief: Michael Saunders
Crew: Steven Beirman
Sponsors & Support: Thanks to Ron Ayala from Great Clips for picking me up as a driver three years ago. You had no idea who I was when we sat down for lunch that first time, but you decided to put your faith in me as a driver and I am glad I was able to finally give you some bragging rights. You had said that you had been sponsoring the I-80 track for the last three years and a driver out there for seven years. I am so glad that I was able to get you a Track Championship in 2009 in the Crate Late Model class. Thanks also to Dave Mum from Crane Sales & Service. Thank you for your belief in me as a driver. I am very glad that I was also able to give you bragging rights as well. Thanks Dave for your support because, without the support of my sponsors and friends, this moment would not have been possible. Thanks to crew member Steve Bierman. For the last four years, you have come to every race possible. You have helped us out so much and there are no words, other than thank you, to let you know how I feel about you giving up time with your family to help us out each week. Thanks to family friend, Brad Yost. Brad has helped us out so much, ecspecially this last year. Brad's daughter also races another class, but he was always there for my dad, from explaining a problem, to putting my car back together again after I rolled it, with only one race to go in the season. You have given me helpful pointers, Brad, and I really do appreciate everything you have done for me and my dad. Thanks to the Nebraska City Crew. These are friends of Brad's, who, when we had major damage and a short time to get it fixed, they were all there, jumping in to help me, and for that I would like to say, thanks guys! Thanks to Jeff Tilly from Total Performance for all your help during the season, but most of all thanks for loaning me a car on the last night of the season, due to me rolling mine the previous race. I went into the last nigbht tied in Points with Tyler Zander, and without Jeff Tilly believing in me and my racing skills, this Championship would not have been possible. Thanks to all my friends and family for supporting me!

 Tracks & Series
Boone County Raceway (NE) - Late Model #44

 Awards & Accomplishments
2002 Go-Karting: 1 2nd place and 3 3rd place finishes.

2003 Go-Karting: 2 wins, 1 2nd place 2 3rd place and 5 4th place finishes.

2004 Go-Karting: 2 wins, 2 2nd place, and 5 3rd place finishes.

2004 Midwest Speedway Tour: 8th place in Junior II Light Points, 5th place in Junior II Heavy Points.

2006-2009 Crate Late Model: 5 wins and 7 2nd place finishes.

2009 Crate Late Model: I-80 Speedway Track Championship, State Championship, and 9th in National Points.

 
 Career Summary
I started out in racing back in April of 2002. My dad bought me a Go-Kart and we took it down to Waverly, NE to race. All we had was the Go-Kart in the back of my dad's pickup, along with my dad's tool box. We were amazed when we walked around the pits that night about how much racers really got into the sport, judging by the size of their trailers and the rows upon rows of extra tires, since we hadn't a spare of anything. My first night in the Go-Kart I realized this was something I really enjoyed doing, and my dad enjoyed it just as much as me, if not more. Mid-season that first year we bought a small trailer and decided the next year we would be more prepared. 2003, 2004 & 2005 saw me racing in two different classes, giving me more time and experience behind the wheel. At the end of the 2005 season, we happened to catch a Hornet race on the big track at I-80 and decided we would sell off our Go-Karting equipment and purchase a Hornet. At the end of the 2006 season, I decided the Hornets were not for me. Not enough speed! So we once again sold our car and purchased a Crate Late Model car from Steve Kosiski. He taught me and my dad a lot about the car in his back yard garage before race season. My first race of 2007, I finished first, but was disqualified because there was a chip in the car that should have come out before the race. It was a learning experience for my dad, who felt really bad for awhile after that, since he was in charge of the chip. He got over it though, because a few races later, I was in Victory Circle. I went on to win twice that first year in the Crate Late Model class. 2008 saw me with the kind of year every driver dreads. Whenever there was a spin, you could bet that I would be caught up in it somehow. I couldn't wait for 2008 to end. 2009 saw us purchase a newer car and had my best race season to date. Although I rolled my car for the first time in my eight years of racing, I came back to win the 2009 Crate Late Model Championship at I-80. 2010 will see me starting out in the NASCAR Late Model division.
 
 Racing Goals
To race as long as I possibly can with the support of my sponsors, family and friends.
 
 Other Interesting Team Information
I ready myself for a race the minute my dad and I leave the house for the race track. I put on my headphones and just relax to my music. I don't like to think about anything during that time, and just relax. When I get to the race track and we are sitting at the gate, waiting for our class to be called onto the field, I think of those same songs. I just keep my mind relaxed until I am finally out on the track.
 

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