Corey Jankowski in victory lane for the second time in 2010 on May 29 (Jeff Blaser Photo)

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

by Matt Pnaure
It didn't take Corey Jankowski long to figure out he wanted to be his own man. Jankowski ventured into self-employment straight out of high school and hasn't looked back since - very similar to the way he hasn't looked back at his competition.

Jankowski grabbed his second consecutive Dells Raceway Park (an ASA member track) late model championship this season. Between the super stock division and the late models it was Jankowski's fifth championship in the last six seasons at DRP.

The owner of CJ Construction from Tomah said being his own boss has everything to do with his hobby. "It all revolves around racing," Jankowski said. "When I need to take time, take off and do what I have to do, it all has to do with racing."

During the summer months Jankowski said his days get much longer. The day starts just as any other, with a full day at work in the construction business. Then, it's off to the shop. "I usually work three to four hours every day through the summer. There is no doubt about it," Jankowski said of his extracurricular activity. "The dedication there is just phenomenal."

All of the dedication leads to a certain confidence. "It's better to be in your race car before the green flag waves having the confidence that everything is going to be ok," he said. "If it doesn't work, at least you have a better idea than someone who loads up and only looks at his car once in a great while."

Once he's confident the car is ready to go, Jankowski has no shortage of confidence in his racing ability. To back up his confidence Jankowski claimed three straight championships in the super stock division from 2005 to 2007, and grabbed a championship in the late models in only his second season in 2009.

"Every division I go to, it seems like I bring more energy," Jankowski said. "I outranked everyone in the super stock division and they all had to step up to the plate and make it happen."

Jankowski felt the competition underestimated his abilities when he came to DRP in 2003, even though he had won several track championships at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem. He said he proved quickly that he shouldn't be taken lightly. "Everyone else saw this guy who is a little weird on the edges in '05 just take over, in '06 dominate, and in '07 just completely eliminate some people."

From the super stocks Jankowski made his jump to the late models thanks to some help from a sponsor, Ray Habelman from Habelman Brothers Company Cranberries.

Habelman requested a résumé. Jankowski was more than willing to pass one along. "I had plenty to show him, I put him on the car and things just flew."

The partnership amped up in 2008 when Habelman decided he wanted to help Jankowski get behind the wheel of a late model. Jankowski said they agreed upon what kind of equipment to buy and by spring he had a new late model in is shop.

After winning the 2009 late model championship by 20 points over Michael Ehde, Jankowski was locked in a tight title battle in 2010. He won by three markers over rookie Mike Lichtfeld.

The dedication from Jankowski's crew is what helped him claim that second consecutive championship, he said. Because of the time and effort to put in, Jankowski's crew had to take time off in both 2009 and 2010. When the going got tough, the crew came back to ensure Jankowski a title.

"They came back and we won," Jankowski said of 2009. "This year was the same. I kind of got it, but kind of struggled." Jankowski struck a deal with his crew to make it to the track for the final weeks. The effort paid off. "That's what won the championship - the complete effort of everyone coming back. Otherwise I wouldn't have ever done that well."

A strong crew and strong program were paramount in a class that saw four drivers in the championship hunt on the final night. Jankowski said he thought the tighter competition this past season was due to everyone improving their programs from one season ago.

"This year everyone had to step their game up. They had to spend more time and effort in a competitive class because of what I've done," he said. "It seems like wherever I go, I push the issue. I've done it at La Crosse and I've done it here."

Jankowski plans to keep pushing the issue at DRP in 2011. He will also venture into racing super late models at different venues.

Confident in his chances for the three-peat Jankowski knows his rivals will step up. "I think the biggest competitor I am going to have next year, if he keeps going, is going to be Bobby Kendall," Jankowski said. "If he isn't going to be the big issue you know (Rich) Schumann is going to pick up the pace, Shayne (Poehnelt), and all these other guys are going to pick the pace up because they don't want to be left behind."

In 2010 Jankowski was sponsored by Habelman Brothers Company Cranberries and Mr. Ed's Tee-Pee Supper Club of Tomah.

Jankowski 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.