3/11/2014
Sunset Speedway Park
Getting Up To Speed With…Steve Suckow
Getting Up To Speed With…Steve Suckow
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Ken O’Neil)
If you’ve ever seen a nice looking car with the #37 on the door panels at Sunset Speedway Park chances are you are very familiar with Steve Suckow. The former Motocross star turned dirt track racer has ran all the major dirt tracks in the Pacific Northwest whether it be in a Modified or a Late Model.
Back in 2007 in his rookie season with the Pacific Coast FastTrak Series he would pick up a huge victory at the Rattlesnake Raceway in Fallon, Nevada against some stiff competition. Following in the footsteps of his father Jim, who himself raced at Portland Speedway and Tenino, Washington’s South Sound Speedway then later on dirt in Late Models, this second-generation driver hailing from Hillsboro looks to win the 2014 IMCA Modified championship at Sunset Speedway Park for his first career point’s title. Now let’s get up to speed with Steve Suckow.
Driver: Steve Suckow
Home Track: Sunset Speedway Park
Hometown: Hillsboro, Oregon
Occupation: Excavator with Prime-X Contracting
Age: 49
Years Racing: 20
Classification: IMCA Modified
Team: Prime-X Racing
Car: 37
Chassis: T.R.E. Race Cars
Sponsors: Prime-X Contracting, Perfection Automotive, James Gang Pizza, Mike Sweere Trucking
Special Thanks: Randy O’Conner, Sheri Suckow (Wife), and Kids
BD: Steve first time I met you was in the Late Models at Cottage Grove. How have the Modifieds treated you?
SS: I really enjoy them I’ve ran a Mod for the last three or four year two of which were in my friend Randy O’Connor’s car. It’s something I’ve always had a passion for and they’re crazy fun.
BD: I’ve seen you race at several tracks that you have been to with a Late Model. Has past experience helped you at those places with you Modified or is it a completely different animal?
SS: Running all the places you can make you that much versatile. It’s nice to go to Willamette Speedway and Cottage Grove Speedway and chase different car setups.
BD: I’ve always seen you race the #37 is that a special number to you?
SS: It just happens to be the age I went from racing on two wheels to four. I raced motocross for many many years and broke too many bones in my body so I then moved into Shifter Karts for a couple of years. I then traded the Shifter Kart for a Modified at a swap meet.
BD: Whenever you are at the race track you’ve always got a nice looking race car. From the paint scheme to the frame every single night. You seem to take a lot of pride in you equipment don’t you?
SS: I’m very critique when it comes to my car. I often get teased for it looking so nice the next week but we spend a ton of time during the week on the car in the shop. I believe races are won during the week with good maintenance and going over the car with a fine toothed comb.
BD: What are some goals that you have set for yourself in 2014?
SS: I didn’t plan on running for points last year but I ended up doing it. This year I plan on running at Sunset Speedway Park mostly. I’d like to do the Modified Speedweek but my work schedule is pretty hectic during the summertime. I’m looking forward to the coming season it should be fun.
Sunset Speedway Park enters the 2014 season with an action packed schedule that you do not want to miss out on. The first event of the season is a test and tune play day scheduled to take place on Saturday April 5th while the first race of the year will be held on the 19th. To get the latest information and read the most recent stories regarding SSP log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
