Daron Fish in victory lane on July 17 (Jeff Blaser Photo)

Part Two of Four Introducing Dells Raceway Park's 2010 Champions

by Matt Panure
Daron Fish is anything but rude. Don't tell that to the competitors who traveled from near and far in search of a Dells Raceway Park (an ASA member track) championship. Each week Fish, a Dells local, proved to be the strongest in the pool of sportsman drivers.

Fish claimed his first championship in almost two decades of racing, notching the only championship for a hometown driver in 2010.

Out-of-town drivers may have had a better chance if not for a few twists of fate that brought Fish back into the sportsman division on a full-time basis.

Prior to the 2010 season Fish, 35, and his friend Tuffy Myer decided they wanted to compete together on a weekly basis at DRP. The only question was which class to join. "We tried to come to a decision where we could race in the same class so we could feed off each other," Fish explained. "We have a great time when we're racing and everything that goes along with it."

An original plan placed both drivers in pure stock cars. That plan took a diversion after some rule changes were put in place. "I guess we just wanted to race together and we decided to support the coming back of the older sportsman car," Fish said.

A new rules package gave Fish, a logger for Bauknecht Logging in Montello, a new perspective on the class. "I'm sure it was hard for them to come up with this new rule package," he said. "My personal opinion is that the way the rules are written now are real close to what I had really liked from years gone by."

The new rules package led to a good amount of parity, Fish said. He said it was difficult for any driver to dominate the class because of how close the competition became. For better or worse, it also had an effect on Fish, who after winning a feature one week would start in the rear the next.

"It gave everyone an opportunity to get out there and win a feature," Fish said. "Coming off a win, the next week wasn't easy. You definitely had to work to get back up into the top two."

Claiming the championship was a great accomplishment for Fish, who said 2010 was the first season in almost a decade he committed to a full-time schedule. He grabbed three wins and six fast times.

"Our biggest goal was to run the full season, have as much fun as we could and maybe win a race or two," he said. "I felt we really put our best foot forward this year. As luck would have it, being in the right place in the end was real sweet for me."

As luck would have it, Fish's friend was in the right place at the end too. Fish claimed the title by a mere 14 points over Myer, who settled for second on his way to being named rookie of the year in the class.

Although he enjoyed topping the friendly rivalry, Fish said the battle needed to be kept in perspective all season. "You want to beat him, but you want to do it respectfully. It brings a different kind of light into the deal when you race with a friend like that," he said.

Fish explained that different light involved the fact that the two help each other with the cars away from the track, as well. "You create a respect even when you're on the track just racing for position. If either car would have been banged up, we would have had to work together to get it fixed up to go back racing, no matter whose car it was."

While Fish may have his hands full with his and Myer's programs, he said he would be more than happy to pass along advice to anyone who asks. "I really like to reach out and share some knowledge," he said. Fish then added one characteristic that helped him vault to the top of the class this season. "The biggest thing that is going to get you the furthest is to be patient."

That characteristic will be on display for Fish if he decides to go with his plan in 2011. Fish may be back in his sportsman or may make the jump up to DRP's premier late model division. "We'll run somewhat of an educational season [in the late model]," Fish said. "It looks like if we do move up, it'll be part time. We'll try to get our feet wet and see what we can do."

In 2010 Fish was sponsored by Sal's Truck Repair of Mauston, Napa Auto Parts of Baraboo and Portage, Randy Abbs Paving of Baraboo, Sidetracked Bar and Grill of Portage, and Upper Dells Properties of Wisconsin Dells.

Fish and his fellow champions will be honored at the Dells Raceway Park Championship Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

For more information visit www.dellsracewaypark.com or www.chulavistaresort.com.