RON JAEGER SPEEDS HIS E MOD TO THE FRONT AT TRI-CITY

by Brian Spaid

At the end of Sunday’s 20-lap RE/MAX E Mod feature, Brent Rhebergen of Clymer, N.Y., captured a thrilling win over opening night winner Todd Roncaglione and Scott Stiffler.

Probably the biggest story of the race, however, was fourth place finisher Ron Jaeger. The Girard, Ohio, racer started the event in the 15^th slot. He worked his way forward and grabbed a top five finish for the first time in 2001.

Such stellar charges are becoming a trademark for the junior E Mod competitor.

"Probably my best race was last fall at Tri-City," recalls Jaeger. "I started 16^th and finished third in the 40-lap York Triathlon event. All the top E Mod racers compete at the York Triathlon races, so I was real proud of that finish."

Jaeger, 35, only started his career as a race car driver in 1999. He spent part of the 1970s helping his uncle, Bill Davis, with his stock car at Mercer Raceway Park and the old Canfield (Ohio) Fairgrounds. Then, for a few years in the 1980s, he was a crewman for Late Model driver Skip Evans at Sharon Speedway and Raceway 7. Despite his connections, he did not don a driver’s uniform until three years ago.

"I always followed the sport, and wanted to race, but I never followed my inspiration," said Jaeger, who is a production manager at Crown Monument Co. in Warren, Ohio. "When my uncle died in 1998, I realized I missed the chance to race with him. So, I gathered the money together, bought an E Mod, and decided I would go for it."

He purchased his first E Mod from Logan Dernoshek, who won the 1997 Mod Madness E Mod race at Tri-City. He then faced his greatest challenge.

"Getting comfortable with the race car was the toughest thing to do. Only a racer can understand that you have to learn how to get the feel of the car underneath you as you race around the track."

Gradually, Jaeger started to blossom. That first season, he raced at Raceway 7 and Sharon. In 2000, he continued to compete at Sharon, and switched his allegiance to Tri-City for its first season of weekly E Mod competition. He finished sixth in points at Tri-City and eighth in the standings at Sharon.

"I really like the E Mod division. There is a good mixture of drivers and eight to nine different drivers can win on a given night."

After his first E Mod was heavily damaged in an accident, Jaeger bought a newer chassis from Bill Petrosky, who is the brother of E Mod favorite Kari Petrosky. So far, Jaeger likes the feel of his new steed.

"The car was very fast Sunday night. The crew said I was lapping as fast as the leader. I am very happy. We struggled at the start of the season. The car was running well at Sharon on Friday when the coil failed. I think we have a real shot to win this season."

Jaeger plans to stick to Fridays at Sharon and Sundays at Tri-City for most of the season. He also plans to travel to a few races for the York Triathlon Stahl E Mod Series, which has three events at Tri-City in 2001.

Scoville Racing Decals of Liberty, Ohio, is the main sponsor of Jaeger’s No. 5. Other Liberty businesses that offer support include Cizmar Racing Supply, Sorice Towing and Hooked Up Newsletter with additional support from Quality Auto Body of Youngstown.

Although it is only his third season, Jaeger loves to race. The death of NASCAR Winston Cup star Dale Earnhardt in February rocked the sport to its knees. For Jaeger, Earnhardt’s demise was shocking and sad, but it did not diminish his desire.

"Earnhardt did a lot for our sport and his popularity was high. To a certain extent, his death even affects local racing. But, it doesn’t make me want to stop. Like him, I love being in the car each race night. I just want to be there."

With his run last Sunday, Jaeger’s chances at victory have increased. His zest for life and auto racing should carry him to victory lane soon.