JODY KEEGAN CONTINUES LONG LINE OF BUCKEYE STATE SPRINT STARS AT TRI-CITY
by Brian Spaid

August 19, 2005

   Over the years, Tri-City Speedway has attracted the interest of many Buckeye State Super Sprint stars. Drivers like Lou Blaney, Brad Doty, Jim Seese, Dave Blaney, Bobby Clark and defending track champion Jarod Larson all made their mark at the Venango County half-mile oval. Another Ohioan is traveling eastward these days and attracting the attention of race fans and teams alike.

   Fremont, Ohio’s Jody Keegan races throughout the summer in our region. This season, Keegan broke into the rank of feature winners with victories at Tri-City, Lernerville Speedway and Sharon Speedway. Even though his travels take him past other Ohio sprint car tracks, Keegan is happy with his current racing endeavors.

   “I like everybody over here,” said Keegan. “I like all the tracks and all promoters are really nice. To me, it just seems that you should be fast when you race a sprint car, and Lernerville, Sharon and Tri-City are all fast tracks to run on.”

   Keegan, 38, started his career racing 305 Sprints at Fremont Speedway in his hometown located in western Ohio. The cars, which look like the Super Sprints that race weekly at Tri-City, are equipped with a smaller engine with the goal to save costs for race teams. He also raced at Attica Raceway Park in north central Ohio. He won track titles at Fremont (1996) and Attica (1999). He also ventured west for the first time.

   “In 1998, Fremont closed,” recalled Keegan. “We came to Hickory Speedway near New Castle to race our 305 Sprint that season. I ended up winning the track title as a result.”

   In fact, Keegan destroyed the competition. He captured 10 wins in 14 feature events. The following season he stayed close to home, and nearly lost his life.

   “In the last race of the season, I crashed pretty bad at Attica. I was doing double duty racing a 305 Sprint and a 360 Sprint. I broke my neck in the wreck, but I recovered over the winter.”

   In 2000, after 22wins in the minor sprint car classes, he returned to the wheel. This time, he was in a Super Sprint, which is also referred to as a 410 Sprint in some areas. Over the years, Keegan struggled, and decided to make a change.

   “I’m a competitive guy, and when I’m struggling, I don’t want to continue to finish in the back weekly. It hurts your confidence. My crew chief, Kenny Sutton, and I click good over here and can run up front every night.”

   Several strong performances finally resulted in his first Super Sprint win at Tri-City on July 10. Less than a month later, he added two additional wins at Sharon and Lernerville aboard his Eagle No. 60, which is sponsored by Ohio businesses Kear’s Speed Shop of Tiffin and Gressman Power Sports and Top Flight Kennels of Fremont.

   “Those wins have really boosted our confidence. I won each time from front row, which helped. But competition is good and you have to be on your game against guys like Rod George, Ed Lynch Jr., Andy McKisson and Jarod Larson.”

   Admittedly shy, Keegan slowly made friends with his fellow drivers. He also developed a strong grassroots fan following. A school teacher at Sentinel Career Center in Tiffin, Ohio, Keegan usually travels to our region after the end of the school year due to job commitments.

   “I see the internet boards and people are saying a lot of nice things about me. After one win, they had to remove my car from victory lane because I was signing so many autographs. The fan response has been nice and great boost to my team, my wife, Jill, and our two kids, Cody and Spencer. We’re not really focused on the point titles because I can’t travel much until school’s out. But the fans seem to like us. I’m just thankful they come out to watch us all race.”

   As the season starts to wind down, Keegan will finish out the year racing at Lernerville, Sharon and Tri-City.

   “I’ve got a chance to get into the top ten at all three tracks, which would be a great way to end the season.”

   With victory casting him into the limelight in our region, Keegan will continue to develop into a skilled Super Sprint winner as he continues a long line of Buckeye State sprint car stars.

   This Sunday, it is Kids Night at Tri-City. The Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars return to action and bike races for children 12 and under will be held. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $10.