By Al Stilley
Editor
Everything is moving in the right direction for Franklin Township professional stock car driver Jack Dossey III.
The third-generation driver is racing full-time in the ARCA/CRA Super Series that is one tier below the national ARCA Menard’s series. Dossey III, in just five years, has taken solid but well-paced steps up the racing ladder with the NASCAR-owned Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).
He has earned:
2014 - CRA Late Model Sportsman rookie of the year; won two series championships at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway.
2016 - JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour rookie of the year, sixth in points.
2017 and 2018 - JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour champion, first back-to-back championships in series history.
2018 - Second place in ARCA/CRA Super Series race at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and raced in two ARCA Menards Series races.
Among his most impressive laurels, the young competitor is a three-time ARCA/CRA most popular driver. He is regarded as “the most approachable” short track driver by speed51.com that ranks him 40th best among the nation’s short track drivers in all types of racing.
This season marks a change in many ways for the Jack Dossey Motorsports driver of the No. 20 Hart’s Auto Parts Chevrolet. He is racing full-time in the ARCA/CRA Super Series and, also for the first time, he is crew chief, too.
“Being the crew chief is a big change, something I was hoping to do in the future but not so sudden,” Dossey III said. “It’s a big feat, not only driving the car, but you lead the race team in all aspects except the finances.”
As driver-crew chief, he doubled his pleasure in winning the first series race of 2019 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway that locks him into the series’ version of the Chase. He is second in points after four races among the top 10.
“It’s more fun to work with everything and it certainly made it more special to win,” he said.
Equipment-wise, Jack Dossey Motorsports is moving up, too, particularly aligned with Terry Senneker-built chassis from Michigan.
Dossey III is carrying on a family tradition set by grandfather Jack Dossey, father-team owner Jack Dossey Jr., the 2018 Indianapolis Speedrome Hall of Fame inductee, and his brother John Dossey. Dossey Jr. is a multiple-time Speedrome and World Figure-8 three-hour endurance champion.
Dossey Jr., is particularly proud of the loyalty of crew members and sponsors. Southsider Pete Harlow leads the list with 40 years on the crew, followed by Mike Alcorn for 25 years, Kenny Etter for 22 years, sponsor Mike Heimel of Heimel Auctions in Beech Grove for 20 years, Munns Construction for 15 years and, of course, wife Jennifer for 31 years.
Dossey Jr. said, “We’ve had our moments down through the years, but that type of loyalty is unheard of in racing.”
Dossey III’s climb is slow but steady, just the way they want it.
“We could be ready to move up, but that will be tough without financial help,” the young racer said. “It’s a good feeling knowing that your idol and hero is pretty happy with the way everything is going.”
Dad couldn’t be prouder.
“I knew he had the drive for it,” Dossey Jr. said. “He’s accomplished more than I expected.”
The Dossey race team that operates from their headquarters in Franklin Township is proving they can win one step at a time.
Editor
Everything is moving in the right direction for Franklin Township professional stock car driver Jack Dossey III.
The third-generation driver is racing full-time in the ARCA/CRA Super Series that is one tier below the national ARCA Menard’s series. Dossey III, in just five years, has taken solid but well-paced steps up the racing ladder with the NASCAR-owned Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).
He has earned:
2014 - CRA Late Model Sportsman rookie of the year; won two series championships at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway.
2016 - JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour rookie of the year, sixth in points.
2017 and 2018 - JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour champion, first back-to-back championships in series history.
2018 - Second place in ARCA/CRA Super Series race at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and raced in two ARCA Menards Series races.
Among his most impressive laurels, the young competitor is a three-time ARCA/CRA most popular driver. He is regarded as “the most approachable” short track driver by speed51.com that ranks him 40th best among the nation’s short track drivers in all types of racing.
This season marks a change in many ways for the Jack Dossey Motorsports driver of the No. 20 Hart’s Auto Parts Chevrolet. He is racing full-time in the ARCA/CRA Super Series and, also for the first time, he is crew chief, too.
“Being the crew chief is a big change, something I was hoping to do in the future but not so sudden,” Dossey III said. “It’s a big feat, not only driving the car, but you lead the race team in all aspects except the finances.”
As driver-crew chief, he doubled his pleasure in winning the first series race of 2019 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway that locks him into the series’ version of the Chase. He is second in points after four races among the top 10.
“It’s more fun to work with everything and it certainly made it more special to win,” he said.
Equipment-wise, Jack Dossey Motorsports is moving up, too, particularly aligned with Terry Senneker-built chassis from Michigan.
Dossey III is carrying on a family tradition set by grandfather Jack Dossey, father-team owner Jack Dossey Jr., the 2018 Indianapolis Speedrome Hall of Fame inductee, and his brother John Dossey. Dossey Jr. is a multiple-time Speedrome and World Figure-8 three-hour endurance champion.
Dossey Jr., is particularly proud of the loyalty of crew members and sponsors. Southsider Pete Harlow leads the list with 40 years on the crew, followed by Mike Alcorn for 25 years, Kenny Etter for 22 years, sponsor Mike Heimel of Heimel Auctions in Beech Grove for 20 years, Munns Construction for 15 years and, of course, wife Jennifer for 31 years.
Dossey Jr. said, “We’ve had our moments down through the years, but that type of loyalty is unheard of in racing.”
Dossey III’s climb is slow but steady, just the way they want it.
“We could be ready to move up, but that will be tough without financial help,” the young racer said. “It’s a good feeling knowing that your idol and hero is pretty happy with the way everything is going.”
Dad couldn’t be prouder.
“I knew he had the drive for it,” Dossey Jr. said. “He’s accomplished more than I expected.”
The Dossey race team that operates from their headquarters in Franklin Township is proving they can win one step at a time.
Heimel backs Speedrome
Seating for fans at the south end of the Indianapolis Speedrome is known as the Mike Heimel Auction Service family section this season. Beech Grove business owner Heimel is a longtime Speedrome fan. The sponsored section is designated no smoking and no alcohol and offers one of the best viewing areas at the track. Seating is general admission for most events, including high-powered Figure-8 racing each Saturday night.
500 weekend qualifying
Qualifications for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 are Saturday, 11a.m. to 5:50 p.m., and Sunday 12:15 p.m. to 2:15p.m. at the famed oval. Time trials Saturday will establish race-day starting positions 10-30. Drivers among the fastest nine qualify again Sunday in a one-run attempt at the pole and to fill the top nine positions. The last row also will be decided Sunday. Race day is Sunday, May 26.
Final Hoosier Hundred
The final Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will be contested Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m. with USAC Silver Crown drivers and cars. The track history goes back to 1903. Bob Sweikert won the inaugural Hoosier Hundred in 1953. The one-mile track surface is to be converted strictly for harness racing and training.
Seating for fans at the south end of the Indianapolis Speedrome is known as the Mike Heimel Auction Service family section this season. Beech Grove business owner Heimel is a longtime Speedrome fan. The sponsored section is designated no smoking and no alcohol and offers one of the best viewing areas at the track. Seating is general admission for most events, including high-powered Figure-8 racing each Saturday night.
500 weekend qualifying
Qualifications for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 are Saturday, 11a.m. to 5:50 p.m., and Sunday 12:15 p.m. to 2:15p.m. at the famed oval. Time trials Saturday will establish race-day starting positions 10-30. Drivers among the fastest nine qualify again Sunday in a one-run attempt at the pole and to fill the top nine positions. The last row also will be decided Sunday. Race day is Sunday, May 26.
Final Hoosier Hundred
The final Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will be contested Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m. with USAC Silver Crown drivers and cars. The track history goes back to 1903. Bob Sweikert won the inaugural Hoosier Hundred in 1953. The one-mile track surface is to be converted strictly for harness racing and training.