The Scoop
SAWYER EFFERTZ – HUNGRY FOR A WIR TUNDRA WIN MAY 11
Posted on: Thursday May 9, 2024
Sawyer Effertz will wheel this 2022 Pathfinder chassis in 2024.
Vince Lombardi once stated ‘It’s tough enough to get to the top but even harder to stay there.’
This rings true for Sawyer Effertz as he embarks upon his 2024 racing season.
The 30-year-old super late model racer from Darboy had a 2023 season many racers can only dream of.
Effertz kicked off the season by winning the TUNDRA super late model series opener at WIR last May. To prove that victory was no fluke Effertz followed that up by securing the Fox River Racing Club (FRRC) super late model title. Effertz also won the Red White and Blue state championship series.
The kicker with the RW&B is that he swept the series – winning all three contests. The only other driver to pull a sweep off was the legend Dick Trickle.
Darboy’s Sawyer Effertz will be the defending super late model champion during WIR’s “Thursday Night Thunder” show in 2024. (TUNDRA series photo)
This Saturday, May 11 Effertz will kick off his 10th season of wheeling a super late model in the ‘Battle For The Bear’ 75 lap feature. The contest pays $3,500-to-win. He’ll wheel the same championship 2022 Pathfinder chassis he’s had a ton of success with. His average feature finish in ’24 was 3.94. Pretty solid stuff.
The core of Effertz’ team members will return. Everybody has a role to play whether it’s shock maintenance, tires, spotting or even keeping the team’s shop spic and span. “The guys on our team have been busting their tails all off season to get this hot rod back in shape,” Effertz explained.
In addition to maintaining his race car Effertz has hired a personal trainer to improve his own health – dropping 15 lbs over the winter. “Every pound helps so we can move around as much weight as possible and get it low to the ground,” Effertz said.
Another key piece to Effertz’ amazing championship run a year ago came from a friend down south. James Edwards of Wilson Motorsports was often just a phone call away – serving up advice on setups and what not. “To win a title takes a lot of time and that even included time on the phone going over setup choices with James,” Effertz said. “We’ve all got our full time jobs and honestly, racing a pavement super late model sometimes even seems like it’s a full time job.”
According to Effertz, by mid-season the team devotes a full, eight hour shift on Tuesday nights. If by chance there is a wreck or some other mechanical woe, then the car gets even more TLC. Everyone’s got a role. Crew members include Sawyer’s dad Jack Effertz, Brett Forbes, Jim and Jerry Warning, Geoff Edwards, spotter Don Hawkins, Kevin Dakins, Hunter Nelson and Dave Hoh. Effertz’ mother Mary also makes sure the hard working pit crew stays well fed and she keeps tabs of scoring and lineups.
Sawyer Effertz hugs the bottom groove at WIR. (TUNDRA PR photo)
Add to that Effertz’ wife Kristy who holds down the fort with their two year old son so the race car gets properly prepared for race day. “I can be pretty particular about certain things and I am very grateful that these guys take my nitpicking complaints with a grain of salt,” Effertz confessed. “I’d like to say we’ve got that winning formula yet from last year.”
When Effertz season begins this weekend he’ll be down a key crew member for a bit as Geoff Edwards is out of town with work.
A few minor tweaks took place with Effertz’ No. 2 racer during the off season. With the pavement super late model unified rule book, cars that utilize the ACE motors can run 25 lbs. lighter. When it comes to the TUNDRA race at WIR, Effertz will be mixing it up with several non-regulars with the TUNDRA travelers. Does he feel he’s got a home track advantage?
“I’d like to think I’ve got a pretty good notebook on (WIR) with things like what the track does when the weather changes and what not,” Effertz explained. “You could say it’s a home track advantage of sorts. The bigger thing I hear from guys who run here for the first time is just how tough it is to get around WIR. The corners are all very different and that dogleg coming out of turn four can often give newcomers some fits, too.”
Although Effertz win last year in the TUNDRA race many considered that to be the first time a ‘local’ won that event, Effertz is quick to point out the success Edgerton’s Casey Johnson had when driving for the locally-based Chase Motorsports 47 car, “Even though it’s not really considered his ‘home track’ obviously Casey Johnson can wheel a race car and is tough whenever he shows up,” Effertz admitted. “But yes, when it comes to this TUNDRA race Saturday, I’d like to think we have a fair chance at winning. We did test a couple of Thurdays ago and the stopwatch looked pretty good I must say.”
When asked who he thought would be his chief competitors on Saturday and throughout WIR’s ‘Thursday Night Thunder’ season Effertz said there are plenty. “Locally guys like Maxwell (Schultz) Andy (Monday), Jordan Thiel and JVO (Jeff Van Oudenhoven) area always tough. As far as the TUNDRA crew you’ve always got to worry about Dalton Zehr, Justin Mondeik, Ty Frederickson if he runs and Colin Reffner. Colin seems to have the worst luck at WIR. But if he can stay out of trouble he’d also very much be a threat to win. No matter what though you can have all the confidence in the world but you have to finish the race, avoid the wrecks and not drive like an ass. We don’t need to make any enemies, especially with the guys you race against every week.”
Effertz’ 2024 team of marketing partners includes Mr. Brew’s Taphouse, Global Fabrication, Advanced Engine Concepts (A.E.C.), Fox Cities Towing, Prestige Auto, Balfab Services, Monday & Associates, Lake Park Pub, Gerard Machine, Emerald Electric, 4m Machine, Jaripeo Mexican Grill, C.E.D. When Seconds Count Fire and Rescue, Ganther Construction, Thern Plumbing, KNI Insurance, Precision Powder Coating, 920 Wraps, Kamp’s Bar, Pagoni’s Pizza, The Roxy Supper Club, Jersey Mike’s, Bay Point Bar and Grill, Jacobs Meat Market, Bentley’s Restoration, Dr. Gene Rigstad, Linde Gas, Midwest Properties and All Sports Trophy.