1/31/10
Dave Danzer Readys For 2010 Supermodified Rookie Run
By Dan Johnson
The biggest rookie supermodified class in recent history is anticipated for the 2010 season at
Oswego Speedway. Dave Gruel and Larry Muroski are moving up to the big blocks this summer
from the SBS division, while Shaun Gosselin and Cody Graham are expected to see seat time as
well. One of the first drivers to throw his “hat in the ring” for Rookie of the Year honors in the
Novelis Supermodified class is SBS veteran David Danzer.
While the Danzer name has been part of the Oswego Speedway for years, Dave turned his first
laps at Oswego in an SBS car during the summer of 2004. He has been a regular competitor in the
small block class since his debut six years ago. Dave and the family team reached the pinnacle of
the SBS division on August 8, 2008, when he picked up his first Oswego Speedway feature win in
a 30 lap main, as he held back Robbie Pullen, Dave Cliff, Larry Muroski and Shawn Walker for the
popular win.
Dave finished a career best 11th in the 2009 SBS point standings. At the end of the ’09 year,
however, the Scriba based team decided to make the jump to the supermodified division for
2010. “We had been talking about it for a while”, Dave admitted. “I was talking with my dad, Joey
Hawksby, and we really thought about it about November. We then talked with Pat Furlong Jr,
and he had the 22, and thought it would be a good car for someone. That was the car Michael
Barnes won his first race in, and is a good car. I did a lot of work with Joey last summer, and
worked on Greg’s (Furlong) car with Joey.”
“My dad knows a lot more about the supers than the SBS cars, so we thought it was time to
make the move,” Dave added. Dave’s dad Craig Danzer is a familiar face in the Oswego pits for
many years, owning cars driven by Bill Sharkey throughout his career.
Dave continued, “We have the chassis from Pat Jr, and our motor came from Bobby Bond, so
we’ll be set to go. We’re still a bit away from opening day, but now is when we are building the
spare parts, getting many of the little things done that need to get taken care of. There’s a lot of
detail work to be done, but everything has to get done. We’re out in the garage about 4 hours a
night, getting things done. We’re putting everything together. When dad got out of the supers, he
sold everything. We’re still going to take it to Joey’s to get a few things done, but overall, we’re in
pretty good shape for now.”
While Dave will take his first laps in a big block supermodified this summer, he’s going into the
summer with a realistic look at his rookie campaign. “It’s all about track time, seat time, and
getting laps,” Dave said. “Without a wing, with a wing, we just need to get seat time, as there is
no replacement for track time. The supermodifieds are a tough division, and we know what we’re
getting in to. Heck, look at Pat Strong’s team. Pat has had great equipment and great drivers, and
he just got his first win this year. It’s a tough field. It’s a difficult class, but there are a lot of great
people in it, and we’re looking forward to being part of the division.”
The Danzer Team is moving up as a group, as the crew and sponsors are coming along for the
ride. “Bridge Street Jewelers is coming along as are the rest of the my sponsors. Doug Kells is
coming also, as a sponsor and with help. Doug knows the class well, and will really be valuable
to me.”
While he is moving up to the supers, don’t look for Dave to abandon the SBS class. “We still
have the small block, and look to race it a few times next year,” he added. “We’re looking at the
special races, the Tony White race, the Mr. SBS show, and the SBS Classic to run the small
block,” Dave continued.
Dave Danzer, his dad Craig, and the rest of Danzer Racing are looking forward to the summer of
2010. While they look ahead, they know it takes many hours of preparation to be ready for the
supermodified division, which is why you can find the lights on in the Danzer garage during the
winter months. Before he went back to garage to finish up for the night, Dave summed it all up by
saying, “We’re about 100 days from the opener, but now is the time to get the work done.”
Dave Danzer Readys For 2010 Supermodified Rookie Run
By Dan Johnson
The biggest rookie supermodified class in recent history is anticipated for the 2010 season at
Oswego Speedway. Dave Gruel and Larry Muroski are moving up to the big blocks this summer
from the SBS division, while Shaun Gosselin and Cody Graham are expected to see seat time as
well. One of the first drivers to throw his “hat in the ring” for Rookie of the Year honors in the
Novelis Supermodified class is SBS veteran David Danzer.
While the Danzer name has been part of the Oswego Speedway for years, Dave turned his first
laps at Oswego in an SBS car during the summer of 2004. He has been a regular competitor in the
small block class since his debut six years ago. Dave and the family team reached the pinnacle of
the SBS division on August 8, 2008, when he picked up his first Oswego Speedway feature win in
a 30 lap main, as he held back Robbie Pullen, Dave Cliff, Larry Muroski and Shawn Walker for the
popular win.
Dave finished a career best 11th in the 2009 SBS point standings. At the end of the ’09 year,
however, the Scriba based team decided to make the jump to the supermodified division for
2010. “We had been talking about it for a while”, Dave admitted. “I was talking with my dad, Joey
Hawksby, and we really thought about it about November. We then talked with Pat Furlong Jr,
and he had the 22, and thought it would be a good car for someone. That was the car Michael
Barnes won his first race in, and is a good car. I did a lot of work with Joey last summer, and
worked on Greg’s (Furlong) car with Joey.”
“My dad knows a lot more about the supers than the SBS cars, so we thought it was time to
make the move,” Dave added. Dave’s dad Craig Danzer is a familiar face in the Oswego pits for
many years, owning cars driven by Bill Sharkey throughout his career.
Dave continued, “We have the chassis from Pat Jr, and our motor came from Bobby Bond, so
we’ll be set to go. We’re still a bit away from opening day, but now is when we are building the
spare parts, getting many of the little things done that need to get taken care of. There’s a lot of
detail work to be done, but everything has to get done. We’re out in the garage about 4 hours a
night, getting things done. We’re putting everything together. When dad got out of the supers, he
sold everything. We’re still going to take it to Joey’s to get a few things done, but overall, we’re in
pretty good shape for now.”
While Dave will take his first laps in a big block supermodified this summer, he’s going into the
summer with a realistic look at his rookie campaign. “It’s all about track time, seat time, and
getting laps,” Dave said. “Without a wing, with a wing, we just need to get seat time, as there is
no replacement for track time. The supermodifieds are a tough division, and we know what we’re
getting in to. Heck, look at Pat Strong’s team. Pat has had great equipment and great drivers, and
he just got his first win this year. It’s a tough field. It’s a difficult class, but there are a lot of great
people in it, and we’re looking forward to being part of the division.”
The Danzer Team is moving up as a group, as the crew and sponsors are coming along for the
ride. “Bridge Street Jewelers is coming along as are the rest of the my sponsors. Doug Kells is
coming also, as a sponsor and with help. Doug knows the class well, and will really be valuable
to me.”
While he is moving up to the supers, don’t look for Dave to abandon the SBS class. “We still
have the small block, and look to race it a few times next year,” he added. “We’re looking at the
special races, the Tony White race, the Mr. SBS show, and the SBS Classic to run the small
block,” Dave continued.
Dave Danzer, his dad Craig, and the rest of Danzer Racing are looking forward to the summer of
2010. While they look ahead, they know it takes many hours of preparation to be ready for the
supermodified division, which is why you can find the lights on in the Danzer garage during the
winter months. Before he went back to garage to finish up for the night, Dave summed it all up by
saying, “We’re about 100 days from the opener, but now is the time to get the work done.”
