Dave Ely - News Archives May 2000

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Dave Ely Becomes Pennsylvania's Rising Star by Jeremy Elliott Williams Grove Program, May 2000 When the World of Outlaws come to town, names like Lance Dewease, Fred Rahmer, Cris Eash and Don Kreitz Jr. are mentioned to defend the Pennsylvania turf. As the time nears when the Outlaws return for their first 2000 appearance, Dave Ely's name will be added to that list of serious contenders to overthrow the traveling band. Ely has already recorded two victories to date this season in Central Pennsylvania. Ely passed Fred Rahmer at Lincoln on April 1 to claim the victory on Fred's home track. Ely backed up that feature win by scoring his first ever Williams Grove victory in dramatic last lap fashion. "It is great to be mentioned in the same breath as those guys," commented the 22-year old Ely. "I just take one race at a time and try my hardest every time out. I have a lot to learn to get up to the level of these guys, but it's certainly an honor and I hope things keep going as well as they are now." Dave Ely, nephew of Don Kreitz, Jr., got his start in racing running go-karts and four wheelers at the young age of three. Ely, however, didn't start competing in organized racing until the age of twelve. While Ely competed in the go-kart division, his goal always was to be behind the wheel of a Sprint Car. Ely realized this dream in 1994, when he moved up and competed in the 358 Sprint division. "We always knew what we wanted to do, and that was go Sprint car racing," said Ely. "We sacrificed some things with the go-kart, such as traveling and stuff, so that when we did go Sprint Car racing we had the money to do it." "I always wanted to be a Sprint Car driver growing up and that was really my plan the whole time. So, when I turned 16-years old we got one." Ely became a quick study in the 358 Sprint division, as he recorded his first victory in the eighth race he competes in at Seacoast. Ely went on to claim the Rookie of the Year honors with the KARS 358 Sprint Association. In 1997, Dave Ely made the jump to the 410 Sprint Cars, realizing his lifetime dream. Though Ely had made it to where he wanted to be, he still had the same problems and obstacles that occur when you are just breaking into the ranks. "When you are learning, you get to a point or phase where you are tearing up equipment and maybe not qualifying," said Ely. "You just have to keep working hard and not get down on yourself and just assemble the best team possible." Part of those growing pains occurred in August of 1998, when Ely took a violent flip at Grandview Speedway during a Thunder on the Hill event. Ely suffered a broken shoulder and had to sit out the rest of the 1998 season. Ely came back strong in 1999, but was still looking for that elusive first win. Meanwhile, Ely was gaining experience and putting the right pieces in place to become a top-notch Sprint Car team. Dave's father, Mike Ely, gives valuable experience to his son when needed. Mike Ely wrenched on Don Kreitz, Jr's car from 1983-87, before hooking up with Fred Rahmer and having success with him also. Mike also helped Super Sportsman star Howie Locke, who has had many years of success in the Sportsman ranks. Ely gained his first ever victory at Port Royal Speedway in early September 1999. He outran Sprint Car star, Kenny Jacobs to win the All-Star sanctioned Tuscarora 50 preliminary event. "There is nothing like your first win, and it was very special with it being an All-Star event and actually it has helped us with confidence this season," said Ely. At the end of 1999, Ely and his crew headed by his father Mike, felt like they had turned the corner and began to realize their goal to be a competitive team. "I think in late August last year we really made the turn," said Ely after winning at the Grove this year. "We began to run up front pretty much and I felt we finished the season off pretty strong. I just came through this winter like I never have. I was chomping at the bit to get racing and I had a lot of confidence." Ely showed his confidence early on in the 2000 season by recording a second-place finish at Lincoln Speedway and two second's at the Grove. "I love racing, but this year it is like something hit me and I really have my elbows up," Ely explained. "I'm driving my hardest every lap and I think I went through a phase early on where I was lazy in the car, but now I'm not settling for things and driving hard from lap one until the end." People really stood up and took notice to Ely, when he recorded his second career Sprint Car victory by passing Fred Rahmer at Lincoln Speedway this season. "I think that win means just as much as the first one because we had to race our way to the front and pass one of the best in the business to win it. You know you earned it when you pass Fred to win a race, because he always is tough and is I think one of the best racers in the country." Ely has had many people to draw experience from. Don Kreitz, Jr., Fred Rahmer, and Doug Wolfgang have been some of the drivers who have guided and helped him through his career. "One thing Don has taught me is not to drop out of races," said Ely. "He always got me to be smooth and turn consistent laps." Every driver has an idol and Doug Wolfgang was Dave Ely's, since the first time he went to the track. "I always thought the world of Doug Wolfgang." said Ely. "He was such a smooth driver and I liked the way he handled himself. He always took the time to talk to me, when I was in the pits with Donny, and I just feel fortunate to have been able to gain from his experience. Even now I can call him anytime I have to and ask questions. I just like everything about him." Ely's goals are very high for the future of his team. Wanting to be a professional race car driver is the main priority for the youngster, whether it is on the road or here in Pennsylvania. "My plans are for whatever comes along that I can make my living," said Ely. "I want to do whatever I can and my ultimate goal is to do it with this team, because they were there from the start of this." "I just hope I can give them the victories for all the heartache that I put them through. I want to be able to enjoy it with this team, so maybe if we can get a sponsor or something like that, we can keep on rolling that way and race professionally." Dave Ely plans to travel a little bit during the 2000 season. Trips to Knoxville and Eldora are strong possibilities for this up and coming team. With the support that Ely gets form his family, crew and other drivers, h e will not have a problem reaching those lofty goals set from day one. Back to News Archives

News Archives

Dave Ely Becomes Pennsylvania's Rising Star
by Jeremy Elliott
Williams Grove Program, May 2000

When the World of Outlaws come to town, names like Lance Dewease, Fred Rahmer, Cris Eash and Don Kreitz Jr. are mentioned to defend the Pennsylvania turf. As the time nears when the Outlaws return for their first 2000 appearance, Dave Ely's name will be added to that list of serious contenders to overthrow the traveling band.

Ely has already recorded two victories to date this season in Central Pennsylvania. Ely passed Fred Rahmer at Lincoln on April 1 to claim the victory on Fred's home track. Ely backed up that feature win by scoring his first ever Williams Grove victory in dramatic last lap fashion.

"It is great to be mentioned in the same breath as those guys," commented the 22-year old Ely. "I just take one race at a time and try my hardest every time out. I have a lot to learn to get up to the level of these guys, but it's certainly an honor and I hope things keep going as well as they are now."

Dave Ely, nephew of Don Kreitz, Jr., got his start in racing running go-karts and four wheelers at the young age of three. Ely, however, didn't start competing in organized racing until the age of twelve.

While Ely competed in the go-kart division, his goal always was to be behind the wheel of a Sprint Car. Ely realized this dream in 1994, when he moved up and competed in the 358 Sprint division.

"We always knew what we wanted to do, and that was go Sprint car racing," said Ely. "We sacrificed some things with the go-kart, such as traveling and stuff, so that when we did go Sprint Car racing we had the money to do it."

"I always wanted to be a Sprint Car driver growing up and that was really my plan the whole time. So, when I turned 16-years old we got one."

Ely became a quick study in the 358 Sprint division, as he recorded his first victory in the eighth race he competes in at Seacoast. Ely went on to claim the Rookie of the Year honors with the KARS 358 Sprint Association.

In 1997, Dave Ely made the jump to the 410 Sprint Cars, realizing his lifetime dream. Though Ely had made it to where he wanted to be, he still had the same problems and obstacles that occur when you are just breaking into the ranks.

"When you are learning, you get to a point or phase where you are tearing up equipment and maybe not qualifying," said Ely. "You just have to keep working hard and not get down on yourself and just assemble the best team possible."

Part of those growing pains occurred in August of 1998, when Ely took a violent flip at Grandview Speedway during a Thunder on the Hill event. Ely suffered a broken shoulder and had to sit out the rest of the 1998 season.

Ely came back strong in 1999, but was still looking for that elusive first win. Meanwhile, Ely was gaining experience and putting the right pieces in place to become a top-notch Sprint Car team.

Dave's father, Mike Ely, gives valuable experience to his son when needed. Mike Ely wrenched on Don Kreitz, Jr's car from 1983-87, before hooking up with Fred Rahmer and having success with him also. Mike also helped Super Sportsman star Howie Locke, who has had many years of success in the Sportsman ranks.

Ely gained his first ever victory at Port Royal Speedway in early September 1999. He outran Sprint Car star, Kenny Jacobs to win the All-Star sanctioned Tuscarora 50 preliminary event.

"There is nothing like your first win, and it was very special with it being an All-Star event and actually it has helped us with confidence this season," said Ely.

At the end of 1999, Ely and his crew headed by his father Mike, felt like they had turned the corner and began to realize their goal to be a competitive team.

"I think in late August last year we really made the turn," said Ely after winning at the Grove this year. "We began to run up front pretty much and I felt we finished the season off pretty strong. I just came through this winter like I never have. I was chomping at the bit to get racing and I had a lot of confidence."

Ely showed his confidence early on in the 2000 season by recording a second-place finish at Lincoln Speedway and two second's at the Grove.

"I love racing, but this year it is like something hit me and I really have my elbows up," Ely explained. "I'm driving my hardest every lap and I think I went through a phase early on where I was lazy in the car, but now I'm not settling for things and driving hard from lap one until the end."

People really stood up and took notice to Ely, when he recorded his second career Sprint Car victory by passing Fred Rahmer at Lincoln Speedway this season.

"I think that win means just as much as the first one because we had to race our way to the front and pass one of the best in the business to win it. You know you earned it when you pass Fred to win a race, because he always is tough and is I think one of the best racers in the country."

Ely has had many people to draw experience from. Don Kreitz, Jr., Fred Rahmer, and Doug Wolfgang have been some of the drivers who have guided and helped him through his career.

"One thing Don has taught me is not to drop out of races," said Ely. "He always got me to be smooth and turn consistent laps."

Every driver has an idol and Doug Wolfgang was Dave Ely's, since the first time he went to the track. "I always thought the world of Doug Wolfgang." said Ely. "He was such a smooth driver and I liked the way he handled himself. He always took the time to talk to me, when I was in the pits with Donny, and I just feel fortunate to have been able to gain from his experience. Even now I can call him anytime I have to and ask questions. I just like everything about him."

Ely's goals are very high for the future of his team. Wanting to be a professional race car driver is the main priority for the youngster, whether it is on the road or here in Pennsylvania.

"My plans are for whatever comes along that I can make my living," said Ely. "I want to do whatever I can and my ultimate goal is to do it with this team, because they were there from the start of this."

"I just hope I can give them the victories for all the heartache that I put them through. I want to be able to enjoy it with this team, so maybe if we can get a sponsor or something like that, we can keep on rolling that way and race professionally."

Dave Ely plans to travel a little bit during the 2000 season. Trips to Knoxville and Eldora are strong possibilities for this up and coming team. With the support that Ely gets form his family, crew and other drivers, h e will not have a problem reaching those lofty goals set from day one.

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