Wednesday, June 19, 2002
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Wednesday, June 19, 2002 |
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Brooks' Ponder taking Outlaw races by storm Vince Ponder is wearing a hat that reads "Pro Care Ambulance." After hearing the laundry list of injuries Ponder has suffered during careers as a motocross and jet-ski racer broken arms, legs, collarbone, scapula, fingers, toes and ribs it's hard not to wonder if Ponder got the hat free on his 10th ride to the emergency room. But no, 31-year-old Ponder reveals that Pro Care Ambulance is just one of the sponsors of his new racing career as a Bandolero driver at Atlanta Motor Speedway's Thursday Thunder, a 10-week summer racing series on the quarter-mile track, Thunder Ring. "I was sick of being broken up and wanted to do something safer," said Ponder, a resident of Brooks. "This kind of racing is more family-oriented. I can take my wife and kids and don't have to worry about leaving in an ambulance." In fact, Ponder left a recent race with a trophy after dethroning two-time defending Outlaws champion Rick Godfrey Sr. for his first Thursday Thunder win. It was only the third time in two seasons that Godfrey had not visited Victory Lane after the Outlaws competition. After the race Ponder was just three points behind Godfrey, who was tied with Sean Cassidy, for the division championship. Ponder got his second consecutive win last Thursday. Of course, Ponder also realizes there is a lot of racing left, and a whole field of drivers who have been trying to unseat Godfrey for years. "This is going to be a competitive division," Ponder said. "Then again, all of us are really just out here to have fun too. I'm not looking to go into NASCAR. I'm too old for those dreams. I just want to race." And Ponder is already planning for next year, when his son Chase will join him at the race track. Just seven years old, Chase won't be old enough to compete in the Bandits division until next year. But Ponder has already bought him a car and is working diligently on it. "This is a good way for families to spend time together," Ponder said. "I'm having a great time." And since joining the Thursday Thunder competition, the only time he spends in an ambulance is when he visits his sponsor. Don't miss Ponder and all the rest of the Thursday Thunder competitors each week at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Admission for adults is just $5, children 6-11 are $1, and children five and under are free. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the racing action starts immediately. For more information call 770-946-4211.
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