JKR MOTORSPORTS

3/12/2009

Well, I am not going to be racing in 2009 due to other commitments.  A business and other racing ventures will be taking up most of my time in 2009.  This will end a 10 year Driving career at the West Liberty Raceway.  Over the last 10 years I have witnessed a big change in Dirt Racing in Eastern Iowa.  I have been part of most of these changes!  I have enjoyed my time as a driver.  I have met and raced against some of the best racers in the Country. 

My most memorable moment was at the end of the 2002 season when we had made a commitment to run Open Late Model in 2003.  The Oriley All-Star Series was running at Davenport at the end of 2002 and I figured it was time to get my feet wet.  My heat race was stacked with the likes of Brian Birkhofer, Darren Miller, Ray Guss Jr., Steve Boley, and Denny Eckrich.  I was completely dumbfounded in staging wondering, "what am I doing on the track with these guys"  Needless to say it was not my most shining moment. 

The early years, 98-2001 were the Best Times I have ever had at West Liberty Raceway.  Rarely Leaving the Race Track before 2am, and trying to see if I could make it all the way back to the shop without peeing!!  2001 is when the racing started to get serious, with 10 heat wins, 2 features, and the $1000.00 to win Fall Classic victory in Farley, IA.  (where it was about 15 degrees that night)  Passed a Spinning Andy Eckrich on the last corner of the last lap. 

2001-2003 were my most competitive years at WLR, running against now late model veterans Andy Eckrich, Chad and Chris Simpson every night with the most heated of battles with Eckrich.  2003 was the leap to Late Models, but that only lasted about 1/2 season as a bad wreck on the front straight away with Dave Eckrich totaling the car and scareing a new expecting mother that had no choice except stand by and watch while hoping that I came out of the car.   Racing was never the same after that.  In 2004 we ran a few races.  Most notable was  a ride in a street stock in Alabama.  It was this ride that ultimately lead to our most successful season, 2005

In 2005 We built a new car and had a new engine program.  My dad stepped down as majority owner and became a (very involved) sponsor along with Lee Andre.  That relationship dimised quickly, but not before some outstanding performances at West Liberty.  We came out of the box winning the Spring Championship.  Followed that up a couple weeks later with another victory.  Then motor problems hurt us for a while, but once those were figured out we Won the last 3 of 6 features at West Liberty including the Season Championship and Liberty 100.  6 Feature wins in 2005 was the highlight of my 10 year career and it took from 1998 when I started until that Spring Championship in '05 to get that first feature win at West Liberty.  Thats Right 7 years of weekly Racing at Liberty without one feature win.  That was changed in a BIG WAY in 2005!!!

2006 was the leap to late model again and engine problems caused a premature ending to that season as well.  1 Top 5 was a big accomplishment at the big half mile.  Racing door to door with hall of famer Gary Webb for the lead for the entire first half of the race.  It was one of my most fond memories. 

In 2007 everything was put back to just how it was in 2005, but the results were just not there.  Small issues seem to always put us on the sideline early, but never the less, it West Liberty, so we has a good time anyway.

In 2008, I was full tilt with my trucking business and lack of time to work on the car showed through in our on the track performance.  At then end of the year I was given an opportunity to become the Marketing Director for the WDRL as well at the series annoucer.  Something that I have never done, but am gald I did do.  I am still enjoying racing, but it just in a different way.  I miss driving a race car, but I don't miss all the work that comes with it. 

I will always hold a special place in my heart for West Liberty Raceway.  Many Drivers and Teams have made West Liberty Home, and Due to many reasons have had to leave what they love so much.  I am no different.  I am still around the race track and part of the racing community.  I am involved in a different way now.  I am excited about the direction that I am going. 

Those 10 years that I spent countless hours in the shop, spent mounds of money, and turned +10,000 laps at WLR, led me to where I am at now.  I will never forget the lessons learned, the people lives that touched mine, and everone that shares the same passion that I do, a love for the best Dirt Track in the Country with the best fans in America, a 1/2 mile clay oval at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds in West Liberty, Iowa.  Thanks for all the memories!!!!  See you at the races!!!!

Rusty Daufeldt "Signing Off!!"   

12/25/2008

WDRL hear we come!!  I am proud to announce that Rusty Daufeldt is the new Marketing Director and Series Announcer for the WDRL.  This will however put a stop to a excellent career as a Driver at the West Liberty Raceway.  Check Back for a story on His 10 years we WLR.

6/2/2008

JKR Motorsports Soon to be back in Action at West Liberty Raceway!!!!!

On May 5th 2008 Rusty went in for a much needed Lower Back surgery and has been recovering very well!!!!!!!!

Back in January of this year Rusty had his back go out and lived with the almost unbareable pain through the ROUGH season opener at West Liberty.  With Rainouts washing out most of the races so far this season, it has presented a great time for recovery.  "I am almost back to 100% and hope to be back very soon.  As of right now I am planning on getting back on June 14th.  Doctors said 4 to 6 weeks for recovery and that is the 4th week, so We will give it a shot.  I feel great and I am very excited about getting back to West Liberty." 

We hope to See you at the Races!!!!!   

JKR MOTORSPORTS would like to thank all of its sponsors for 2008, - GRHI - Green River Holdings, Inc. Double D Peformance, DOTCompliance.Biz, Hoover Heating, HardBodies Racing Fabrication, Hansen Racing Engines, Rapid Lube & Oil, Mary Kay Cosmetics By: Jennifer