Zubi’s Racing will expand their efforts in 2021 as owner Dave
Zubikowski announced that Jeff Strunk will drive for the team at Big
Diamond Speedway and Grandview Speedway full-time this season. With the
addition of Strunk to the team, which already consists of youngster
Dillon Steuer, the Zubi’s Racing team with both Strunk and Steuer will
be a potent team on the PA circuit.
Talking with owner Dave Zubikowski, the New York native is happy with where his team is heading for the upcoming racing season.
“You know about Dillon (Steuer) already, he will be driving for me at
Middletown on Thursday nights with the big-block,” explained
Zubikowski. “He will also be racing full-time at Big Diamond and then
there’s a good chance he will be racing on Saturday’s in PA or at
Bridgeport, but probably at Grandview. Dillon is my boy; I love him like
a son.”
Strunk is no stranger to driving for Zubikowski having driven for him
back in 2015 with the pair notching five wins at Grandview (4) and
Accord (1).
“I have bought two new Bicknell cars and two (Morrison) spec motors
for Jeff,” cited Zubikowski. “Jeff will be racing full-time at both Big
Diamond and Grandview. He will have one car for each track. We might do
some other stuff too, but we will wait to see how things go. All of
Dillon’s stuff was brand new last year so we are okay there. Jeff’s cars
will be numbered No. 88.”
With a new daughter on the way in March, it will be a big year for the man they call “Zubi.”
Strunk excited to be back with Zubi’s
Strunk, who found himself out of a ride after parting ways with the
Glenn Hyneman No. 126 at the end of last season, was not sure what the
future held for him in 2021. Strunk has remained good friends with
Zubikowski over the past few years reached out to his friend for advice
and at the end of it all, the duo was able to reach an agreement to get
the gang back together for the upcoming season.
“The deal with Dave will be a good one for me, we had fun together
before and I am looking forward to having some more with him,” said a
happy Strunk. “We’ve had success together in the past and had fun while
doing it. I am looking forward to doing that again with him. He is a
good guy and came to my rescue once before and now he is doing it again.
I am very grateful for his friendship and am really looking forward to
this year.”
The team will focus mainly on Big Diamond and Grandview with possibly
some other races thrown in. Both of Strunk’s new cars will be housed at
a new race shop that is in the process of being built now at his house.
“We are just taking it one step at a time right now,” explained
Strunk. “We are building this thing from the ground up; I am in the
process of putting a new shop up here at my house so there’s a lot going
on right now. It is going to be good when it’s all done but right now
it’s all in the process, but we are looking forward to it. It is
definitely a challenge, but we should be all good to go when it’s time
to go racing. I like a good challenge. It is going to be close, but
we’ll work hard and it’s nothing I haven’t done in the past. It’s not
something you want to get used to, but I am not afraid of what’s ahead.”
Like any good driver will tell you, you need a good group of guys to
make it all work and Jeff is no different as many of his former crew
members will be right there with the Bechtelsville, PA driver by his
side on this new venture.
“I have a great group of guys who have been with me a long time,”
mentioned Strunk. “There are a couple of them who have been with me for
almost 11 years and others that have been with me for at least six or
seven years and that was part of my focus when I was looking for
something. I wanted to keep the guys together because it’s so hard to
find good help and help in general and I am grateful for these guys who
have stood by me through the years. It’s good to have that support
because this sport is not a one-man band. It’s good to have a group of
guys beside me and to have my back when I need it and hopefully, we can
continue with that success and have some fun while doing it.”
Strunk has driven for many car owners over his long and successful
career and is very humble as he talked about what they all meant to him
and how they have contributed to his success.
“Losing the ride with Glenn last year is never fun, but that’s part
of the profession,” cited Strunk. “Glenn and I had great success
together and I appreciate everything he and Bonita have done for me as
well as all the owners I have raced for. If you are not appreciative of
them, there is something wrong with you. To get the opportunities I
have had and to be able to race professionally for as long as I have is
something I am very grateful for.
“There were a lot of people along the way that were a big part of
that. This is just another phase of my career and we will keep winning
races and keep on going forward. I haven’t ever thought about retiring
and plan to race quite a few more years.”
As always, I can be reached for any comments or questions via email dirtracefan25@hotmail.com or on Twitter @dirtracefan25
Ken Bruce story
