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Teresa Verburgt
By John Wells
Of all of the racers who compete weekly at Madison International Speedway, Teresa Verburgt, a rookie in the Roto Rooter Bandits, has probably performed in front of the largest crowds. Well, it might not have been as a racer, but as a trumpet player in the University of Wisconsin Marching Band playing in front of crowds of 80,000 or more. So how does one go from marching to racing?
“After watching races for a few years and meeting some people who are involved in local racing, I decided that it was something that wasn't an impossibility. I contacted MIS and the rest is history.
My earliest memories of racing are watching races with my dad. We would watch the NASCAR races on Sundays and sometimes go to a race at the Milwaukee Mile,” said Verburgt.
Prior to this season Verburgt has only raced twice including a win in the “Desperate Housewives” race. “My goals for 2009 are to continually improve my driving, be consistent: finish on the lead lap and in the top ten in features, and to win a few heat races and my first feature. I really want to be Rookie of the Year in the Bandit division as well, finishing comfortably in the top ten in points.”
“I really love the dynamic in the pits between the different drivers. I know that, if I need some help with something, there will always be someone that will be more than willing to lend a hand. I haven't had much of a chance to race against a whole lot of different people, but all of the guys in the Roto-Rooter Bandit division are great competitors. Everything I hear is that I'm racing against some of the best Bandit racers in the area. I want my fellow drivers to say that I'm a great competitor and a clean driver who has some talent.”
Before the race it's all business for Verburgt who doubles as an official in the tower for the Rockweiler Insulation Late Models. “I'm usually in the pits trying to focus on the race and calm my nerves. Being so new, I am usually reminding myself of all the suggestions people have given me through the last few weeks. I'm also trying to picture the line I'm going to be taking and to really get my competitive juices flowing. It's still early in my racing "career" so it's tough to tell where this could actually go, but that ultimate goal would be to be racing on a national level. “
She's also the first to admit that she couldn't do this alone. “TJ Goldade was a HUGE help to get me started this season. I'm not sure if I would be out on the track if it wasn't for his help earlier in the season. Jake, my crew guy, is also a huge help, more than he even knows. This is his first experience in racing, so we are learning together right now, but having him around has taken a huge weight off my chest. My family and friends have also been constantly encouraging, I wouldn't be here without their support and encouragement. I need to thank God for giving me the passion I have for racing. Without Him, I would never be able to do this. I do want to thank MIS for giving me and all the other Roto Rooter Bandit drivers the opportunity to become a real part of the racing community. Thank you as well to Roto Rooter for their continuing support of the Bandit division. Without them, we wouldn't have the opportunity to go out and race every Friday night.”
“If I wasn't racing now, I'd probably just be working. It is nice to have a place to get away from the monotony of daily life on Fridays.”
Teresa Verburgt is another one of the Friday Night Stars that call Madison International Speedway their home on Friday nights from May through September.
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Teresa Verburgt - racer! (Read 1538 times)
