Everything a race fan could ask for, the smell of burning rubber, the squeal of tires rounding the track, a beautiful Arizona night perfect for road racing at the Main track at Firebird International Raceway. Victor is ready and looking forward to the racing action.
The main track has a long straightaway where the car builds an incredible amount of speed. At the end of the straightaway the braking system is relied upon heavily to do its job. The main track also features giant sweeping curves and chicanes (A chicane is a series of tight curves in a road race used to slow cars.), one of the places where Victor typically shows his talent on the race track. Further along the course is the impressive tower turn and the only place on the track with a wall as the outer boundary.
The practice session went smoothly. A tire from a different manufacturer has Victor and his crew adjusting the car for maximum performance. All is looking good and Victor is thrilled to be able to race again. The qualifying race is next and Victor is lined up to start in fourth place. The racing has started and the first four cars pull away from the rest of the field of racers. Victor passes the third place car in the chicanes. The fourth place car now passes him back. It is into the chicanes again and Victor passes back to third. Victor’s lap times are getting faster and all is looking good. The second place car is coming within Victor’s grasp and car owner and crew feel the adrenaline rush that comes when Victor is one with his racing.
Alas it is not to be Victor’s night. The car overheats and the cab fills with smoke. The only option is to bring the car to the pits and try to diagnose the problem. However any time he gets to race and have fun doing what he enjoys is a good night and next race will be better.
A special thanks to car owner Shirl Dickey. Victor’s next race will take place at Firebird International Raceway, June 5th and 6th morning only.
Phoenix-Area Racecar Driver Donates Time to Charity Golf Event
Mooresville, NC
November 6, 2009
2007 ASA Speed Truck Champion and NASCAR hopeful Victor Pfluger will take time away from the racetrack this weekend to attend a charity golf tournament benefiting the Arizona Myeloma Network.
Pfluger is bringing his No. 80 Super Late Model racecar to the McCormick Ranch Golf Course on Saturday, November 7, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., for the 5th Annual Arizona Myeloma Network Charity Golf Tournament.
The 18-year-old racing standout will meet with tournament participants on the greens at the Black Bear Diner hole to sign autographs and take photos in support of the charity event.
The Arizona Myeloma Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, strives to promote awareness, education and advocacy for improved treatment and quality of life for multiple myeloma patients. The disease, which strikes 20,000 new patients annually, is treatable, but there is no cure.
“It’s a privilege to lend my time to support an organization like the Arizona Myeloma Network in its battle against this debilitating form of cancer,” said Pfluger. “I know the golf tournament will be a fun event and it is also an opportunity for me to meet with fans and supporters of my racing career.”
Pfluger, an Arizona native, has been winning titles and setting records since he first got behind the wheel of a racecar at age 10. His long list of accomplishments includes being the youngest driver in the history of the ASA Speed Truck Challenge to win a feature race and finish the season in the top 5 in points. At age 16, Pfluger won the championship in that series, another youngest-ever accomplishment.
“It’s been a great ride to this point, but I am actively seeking new partners to help take my career to the next level,” Pfluger said. “Motorsports is an amazing marketing tool for any business wanting to create an immediate and long-lasting buzz. There’s nothing like seeing your car in Victory Lane with your logo or message on the hood.”
The 5th Annual Arizona Myeloma Network Charity Golf Tournament is sponsored by the United Association of Pipefitters and Plumbers with well-known celebrity Ray Romano serving as Honorary Chairman. The festive event also includes a continental breakfast, barbecue lunch, awards ceremony and silent auction.
For more information on the Arizona Myeloma Network, visit www.AZMyeloma.org.
What you need to know:
Who: Arizona Racecar Driver Victor Pfluger supporting the Arizona Myeloma Network
What: Driver appearance at the 5th Annual Arizona Myeloma Network Charity Golf Tournament
When: Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: McCormick Ranch Golf Club, 7505 McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Why: Meet-and-greet and autograph session in support of the Arizona Myeloma Network.
Following a brief stint away from the racetrack, Victor Pfluger climbed back into his racecar at Tucson Raceway Park last Saturday night for the 75-lap Super Late Model event. Pfluger, hailing from Morristown, Arizona, was anxious to get back to racing on a track where he’s had much success in the past, including a win last season over NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Ron Hornaday.
The No. 80 machine unloaded off of the trailer really fast, and after a few laps of getting adapted to the track again, Pfluger was hitting his marks and turning quick laps as if he’d never taken time away. Unfortunately, the team found a major brake issue during practice that would end up giving the driver trouble for most of the evening. The brakes were still an issue in qualifying, resulting in a 13th place starting spot for the 18-year-old behind the wheel.
Victor and his team knew they needed to make some changes to the car prior to the main event to improve the handling and keep up with the competitive field, which included Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine. Completely changing the setup and throwing everything at the car but the kitchen sink, Pfluger strapped himself into the driver’s seat not really knowing what he had, but hoping for the best.
The changes helped his racecar significantly, and Victor was able to hang with the leaders for the first half of the race. By lap 35, he had found a fast groove and was making his charge to the front, finding himself just outside the top five in sixth. Unfortunately, the caution flag flew shortly after Victor started making his moves on lap 40. While making laps around the track under the yellow, the driver believes he picked up some trash and inevitably cut down his right rear tire.
Choosing not to make the free fall to the back of the pack by pitting under green when he discovered the issue, Pfluger stayed on the track and held onto a car that had lost significant air pressure as well as its handling. For the next 35 circuits, the young driver was able to keep his late model on track and lose only two spots, completing the night in eighth place.
“I didn’t get the finish I was exactly hoping for, but overall it was a good weekend,” Pfluger reflected after the event. “It’s just fun to be back at the track again. You miss everything about it- the long hours, working your tail off, getting dirty and greasy- just everything. But it’s all worth it.”
Recessions. Cutbacks. Layoffs. Mergers.
By Rebecca Gladden
December 19, 2008
The NASCAR headlines are not optimistic in terms of the economic forecast.
But when it comes to the sport’s future talent pool, the news is much more uplifting.
Arizona native Victor Pfluger is a just-turned 18-year-old who, in true Western spirit, has his finger on the trigger and his sights set squarely on his target — a full-time NASCAR ride.
Believe me, Pfluger has all the right stuff to make it in the sport today. Possessed of enough poise and personality to please any sponsor, he also has a passion for pedal-down driving that’s reflected in his remarkable racing resume.
“I love the competition,” Victor told me in an exclusive interview. “There is no other feeling like taking a car and running it on the ragged edge. It’s a feeling that is hard to put into words.”
The young racer’s most impressive accomplishment to date occurred this season at Tucson Raceway Park — the very track where Benny Parsons once spotted a talented young driver and brought him to the attention of Jack Roush.
That driver was Greg Biffle.
Last summer, driving a car he’d never raced before, Pfluger muscled past three-time NASCAR Truck Series Champion Ron Hornaday for a win in the ASA Late Model South Series at TRP.
“I didn’t have equal equipment to Ron,” Pfluger said. “He had a better car. It took me 35 laps running three-wide with him and his teammate before I was able to pass him for the win. He was a class act after the race. He congratulated me and even signed my trophy.”
After observing the NASCAR veteran’s driving firsthand, Pfluger now lists Hornaday as his racing hero and for good reason: “He races hard and he isn’t afraid to use his car to get to the front.”
The same could be said of Pfluger.
His accomplishments in the ASA Speed Truck series include a list of “youngest-ever” records reminiscent of NASCAR stars like Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch as they rose through the ranks.
“I got started in racing when my family and I attended a NASCAR Race at Phoenix International Raceway,” Victor recalls. “We saw a stand for the Bob Bondurant Driving School and got interested in karts. At the time, I was only ten, so I wasn’t allowed to participate in the Bondurant school. My parents bought me my first kart and we went racing.”
At age 14, Pfluger became the youngest-ever driver in ASA Speed Trucks to win a feature race. The following year, he was the youngest ever in that series to finish the season in the top five in points.
Then, at age 16, Victor won the ASA Speed Truck Championship – again the youngest ever to do so. The series has produced many of NASCAR’s most competitive drivers, including Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch.
This year, fresh off his record-setting championship, Pfluger competed in the NASCAR Super Late Model Series, notching several more wins and building his reputation as a tenacious competitor.
Though he’s been scouted by some of the biggest race teams in NASCAR, Victor understands the financial reality of making it into big-time auto racing.
Coming from a family of very modest means – his father is a truck driver, Victor is desperately searching for sponsorship money to be able to race again this year. “I would like to find a sponsor so I can keep my career moving forward. This season, I would like to run a mix of races with the Camping World Series, ASA Midwest Tour and ASA Late Models. Eventually, I would like to be picked up by a Camping World Truck team and work my way up to Sprint Cup.”
An exceptional student who made the honor roll throughout high school and graduated early to devote more time to racing, Victor isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty working toward his goals. “From preparing cars and equipment to building our race hauler up, I don’t have much time for anything else. I don’t really have a lot of time outside of racing.”
Growing up in Arizona, Pfluger spent a lot of time competing against 2008 Cup Series driver Michael McDowell, a fellow desert dweller who is now one of his closest friends. Though he’s taken something from every driver he’s competed against, Victor says he doesn’t pattern himself after anyone in particular. “I like to think I pattern myself after the best aspects of all the best drivers. But I like to think I have developed these traits myself, through the help of my team, rather than copying someone else.”
While hoping for a career in NASCAR’s postmodern era, Victor doesn’t hold back when it comes to one rule he’d like to see changed.
“Personally, I hate the top 35 in points being locked into the field. I think it should be, ‘take the top 43 on time and that’s your field.’”
Spoken like a true racer.
The Victor Pfluger Racing team is back in business. VPR will be attending the Shasta Open Show in Anderson, Ca with an all-star team in attendance. “We are so happy and proud of our relationships that we have been fortunate enough to make through Victor’s career, and for that, we want to thank everyone involved.” Quoted team owner Art Pfluger.
Victor will be driving the VPR Super Late Model entry owned by Jerry Blaco of Redding, Ca known as the Z2 Car. Victor’s had great success with this car, even winning a race against 3 time NASCAR Truck Series Champion Ron Hornaday. “Ron was a great and gracious competitor: it was a wonderful win!” Victor told the press after the event.
VPR has assembled a great team for the Shasta Open Show which is being sponsored in part by the US Army. The team will be led by long time VPR crew chief Chuck LaHorgue. “His insight and ability to assemble an amazing team has brought in some highly valued team members, including Tony Wilhelmson and Mike Ketka. These guys are long time friends and supporters with the “never say die” attitude that makes this team a race winning effort.” Art, Victor’s father continued.
“We are really looking forward to this race! Shasta is a great facility and we had a awesome time there last year. I understand that the show is going to be even better this year under the auspices of the new promoter Rick Faeth.” It will be a lot of fun to see all our friends from the west coast in their own location.” Said Victor.
Shasta Raceway Park is practically in Jack Waterman’s backyard. Art wrote, “Jack has worked on our website for many years with little return from us other than more requests to change this and add that on our site. He of course always gets the job done without any fuss and usually makes great suggestions along the way. We appreciate what he does.”
Victor will be driving in two classes, both the Super Late Models and the fiercely competed Modified Series. VPR’s decision to run the Modified race raises the bar of expectations and allows the team the opportunity to fight for a win for car owner Rick Fasano of Glendale Arizona.
VPR is also proud to announce that this will be their first event supporting the Racing4reasons.com campaign. Racing4 reasons exists because of the hard work of family and team friend Julian Wray. Wray created the organization based on supporting charitable causes through mainstream motorsports marketing. “We take pride in the fact that we can be associated with such a wonderful organization. We invite everyone to please take a look at the www.racing4reasons.com site and see the awesome things that Mr.Wray is attempting to accomplish. ” Urged Art.
“We are proudly attending this event with the support of our long time relationships; Parker Farms, Copperstate Tire, Maxima Oil, Racing4reasons, AlpineStars, AZ Pro Signs, Pimp Hammer Clothing, LaHorgue Race Cars, JWwebs.com, Mondello Tech, LifeLock, Bud Harvey, Galen Puccini, Carl Phlum, and A.J.Promotions. Without each and everyone of these people we could NOT attend this event.
Thank you to everyone involved. We are VERY excited and couldn’t do it without you. Wish us Luck!”
In the dark hours just before dawn Victor and his race crew (Mom and Dad) made their way to Firebird Raceway. Today’s objective: Test drive a C – 5TTR Corvette for NASA Pro Racing. Although Victor has raced here before in karts,dwarfs and A.S.A. Speed Trucks, today’s running will be a first for him.
This C-5 TTR Corvette is not an ordinary Corvette, it is a hybrid! Part street car and part race car. Shirl Dickey of Shirl Dickey Racing in Aguila, Az. who builds and maintains custom Corvettes invited Victor to come and run his car with him.
Victor got 3 sessions in the car and started off 1 second behind Shirl Dickey’s time. By the third session though Victor’s time was as fast as Shirl’s time. Victor was used to the track (Firebird Raceway West) and had a great time running this car.
“The car was a blast to drive, I’ve never raced anything like this before and couldn’t believe how quick it was. There was a lot of power, great handling and amazing brakes.
“Thank you for the opportunity to run your car Mr. Dickey”
Victor Pfluger – King of all Media -
TV, Radio and Now the Movies !
On August 14th, 2007 Victor Pfluger was invited to be a guest on radio station KBSZ – the interviewer asked some great questions and Victor, whose maturity and poise belies his young age, gave smooth and educated answers. You can listen to the interview, courtesy of KBSZ by Clicking Here (MP3 File).And now a major motion picture …
A taste of Hollywood has hit Victor Pfluger Racing! Victor and the entire team was invited to participate in the filming of a major motion picture. In the movie you will see the famous number 80 ASA Speed Truck normally driven by Victor, flashing around the movie screen. Only the movie gods will know how much footage will actually make it through the editing process, but we are hoping to see a lot of great shots. Victor had a lot of fun and met a lot of people and maybe next time we can get him cast as the leading man!
Honestly, this was our first experience seeing how a motion picture was made, and we have to admit, it was very impressive. Victor met professional actors, Sam Page, Dan Lauria and famous stuntmen working on the project. In particular, we met stuntman Rob King who ended up driving our truck in the different scenes. Mr. King was a very gracious man and treated our truck with a tremendous amount of respect. All of you can understand that we were a bit nervous and didn’t want to see anything happen to our Championship contending hot rod!
We are extremely excited to have been a part of the movie as this was a great opportunity for all of our marketing partners. We have no control over whose logo will make the show, but I can tell you that we did our best. The movie, “Finish Line”, Click Here is being made for release on the Spike Channel. It will be internationally released to both the United States and Europe.
As always, we thank all of you for your support and we can’t wait to let you know how our next race at Irwindale Speedway goes in our journey to become the next champions of the ASA Speed Truck Challenge.