Bear & VanderEcken Motorsports Strong In Debut At Knoxville

Story By: ANTHONY CORINI / VANDERECKEN MOTORSPORTS – ELLIOTTSBURG, PA – When you think of Central Pennsylvania Sprint Cars, Tyler Bear will be the first to admit his name is far from the first one you think of.

“I know I’m not a Hodnett, Dewease, Rahmer,” said Bear, with a smile, before embarking on the 950-mile road trip to Knoxville for the first time. “I’m going there to improve every time out and have some fun. Mike VanderEcken has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to get to race at Knoxville and I want to take advantage of that.”

It is true; not many young drivers get the opportunity to race on sprint car racing’s biggest stage. Bear, 25, is only in his 3rd year of 410 sprint car competition and is still looking for his 1st career win. Headed to the “Sprint Car Capital of the World” knowing this, expectations were not blown out of proportion.

Bear exceeded expectations and then some as he came forward to 14th in the feature in his Knoxville debut looking smooth and comfortable racing around those who have ran on the black gumbo their whole career. “That was awesome. I had a top ten car if the driver didn’t make so many mistakes. I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and improving. This is a dream come true,” Bear said in regards to his first night at the famed Marion County Fairgrounds.

For the next two weeks at least, Bear will focus efforts at the local level. Bear will return to the Port Royal Speedway this upcoming Saturday and if things go well he will travel to the Williams Grove Speedway the following weekend with the World of Outlaws.

On Thursday May 11th, Tyler Bear will join a group of racers at Quaker State and Lube in Mechanicsburg to celebrate the life of the late Justin Snyder. The event will run from 5pm-9pm. All details can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1598344720183212/permalink/1651235801560770/

None of this would be possible for Bear without the continued support of: VFW Post 34, VanderEcken Motorsports, Bossinger’s Firewood and Lumber, Perry Auto Collision, Sections Salon, Justin Snyder Racing, Fultz Excavating and Beerhill Gang. Bear continually refers to these partners as family rather than sponsors and is thankful for each and every one of them that help him get his car to the track on a weekly basis.