(June 14, 2016) Jacob Logan knows how good his father Bradley was a few years ago at Speedway 660. He watched from the grandstands, as his Dad won lots of races and three Martins Home Heating Sportsman championships. Wade Wilson recently caught up with Jacob who is now the wheelman on the 37. 

 

A Conversation with Jacob Logan

Wade: Hey Jacob, how does it feel to come to Speedway 660 every week as the driver of a legendary sportsman car?

Jacob: It’s a dream come true to be able to come race in the sportsman division as my father did! Racing has always been a big part of his life and it’s pretty special that I get to share my experiences with him as I begin my time in the car. We loved his old car, but the car I’m driving now is a new one. We did add a few bits and pieces off that legendary car so hopefully that will make us a little faster!  Jumping from an ENDURO to a Sharp Shooter to a Sportsman is a pretty steep learning curve. But with a last name like Logan and a teacher like his Dad Bradley, Jacob is  doing a great job. And fans are sure glad to see the patented red and black #37 back at 660 where it belongs!

Wade: You grew up watching your Dad win races and championships against some pretty good competition like Brian Gillespie, Wade Harris, Glyn Nott, George Jamieson and Michael Banks just to name a few. That must have been a thrill for you as a kid to watch Bradley accomplish those things.

Jacob: It really was quite something to see my old man either taking the checkers or go out in style trying, he was always my role model and still is today! He was always one of the most popular drivers at Speedway 660 and one of the best drivers too. I loved going to the races when I was a kid and still enjoy it today. I’m not sure I’ll ever be the driver Dad was, but with his support and advice I’m going to try hard to do my best.It seems like only yesterday that Bradley Logan was thrilling fans, winning races and capturing championships. In this photo Everett Gilmore, from Riverview Ford, congratulates Bradley on another win in the Geary Woods.

Wade: You got in the old sportsman car a time or two in the past and we also saw you run a few ENDUROS and a sharp shooter race or two.

Jacob: I raced Dad’s old car half a dozen times, running a weekly show, trying to qualify for the 150 on Speedweekend and traveling down to Shediac for their last race of the season. I always wanted to race ENDURO since I was a young fella and I finally got to last year and it was a ball!  We did climb into a sharp shooter half way through the season last year, we had a lot of fun in that division but it just wasn’t quite our speed.Things happen awful fast in a sportsman car. In the season opener Jacob had a close call with Drew Greenlaw. 

Wade: It must be a big plus to work with your Dad to prepare the car for competition and be able to talk to him and get some great advice about driving one of these sportsman cars.

Jacob: It’s really great to be able to work with my old man in the shop every week while he teaches me about the set up in these cars.  I wouldn’t want it any other way. I have learned a lot over the winter working side by side with him. He is always giving me little pointers and tricks he’s learned over the years.

Wade: I imagine it’s pretty tough being the son of a racing legend. I’m sure there are some folks who expect you to jump in the car and go out and right away have the success that your Dad had. Do you feel that kind of pressure when you come to the track?

Jacob: I wouldn’t say it’s tough, definitely some big shoes to fill but we are out here just to have fun and happy to have the #37 back out on the track! We’ve had a lot of fans, drivers and race team members come up and welcome us back to Speedway 660. I guess they missed seeing the red and black #37.There’s a whole new generation of fans out there looking for a good young driver to cheer for. These two boys have picked number 37 and Jacob as their favourite car & driver! 

Wade: You guys decided to keep the same paint scheme and number your Dad had. Was that a tough decision for you or pretty much a no-brainer?

Jacob: Well the number was kind of a no-brainer, but I wanted to change the paint scheme up a bit just to establish myself, but the crew said it would be a long summer changing tires by myself if it wasn’t red and black. I must admit they were right and I’’m glad we stuck with the original colours!It sure is nice to see Logan’s Racing Team back in the Geary Woods. Jacob is proud to take over the wheel from his Dad Bradley and looks forward to a successful racing career.

Wade: What kind of expectations or goals do you have entering your first full season racing in our highly competitive sportsman division?

Jacob: I’m just looking to get some seat time and get the feel for this new car. I’m sure we’ll have a few ups and downs but that’s to be expected in this tough sportsman divison. I would really like to see us get a podium finish or possibly even slide into victory lane but we will just have to take it one weekend at a time.Jacob enjoys racing at Speedway 660. He knows the competition is pretty stiff, but that gives him motivation  to race hard and run up front with the leaders.

Wade: Ryan Messer and Justin Cole are also from the Harvey area. Do you think you’ll develop a bit of a rivalry with those guys?

Jacob: Oh they are both great guys and really good drivers, but racing is racing and it’s all for fun! We’ll likely race each other hard, but I don’t think it will be anything different than racing anyone else out there. We’ve got some great fans from Harvey area and they are pretty excited to see the 37 back on the track, but I’m sure they will cheer for all three of their local boys.Justin Cole is one of three young sportsman drivers from the Harvey. Justin had a second place finish in the feature back on June 4th. BTW when Justin was a kid his favourite driver was Bradley Logan!

Wade: The Martins Home Heating 125 is coming up this Saturday night. Sportsman run 40 lap features, during our weekly championship point races, so what are your thoughts about a big race like that?

Jacob:  I am really looking forward to it.  In these big races anything can happen with that many laps, plus the cars change a bit more than a normal 40 lap feature. I’m just going to try and keep my nose clean and hopefully be around near the end to see what we can do.The Martins Home Heating Sportsman 125 can get a little hectic at times. Drivers will try to avoid deals like this and put themselves in a position to go for the win late in the race. 

Wade: I know that you work closely with your Dad, but your Mom is also a big supporter of this team and I know she wants to see you do well.

Jacob: She sure is. My Mom is my biggest fan and she loves racing. I really couldn’t do this if it wasn’t for both of them! I also have got some pretty incredible sponsors to thank including: Excel Tower Service; MacKay’s Garage; Moffit’s Convenience Plus; ABC Ranch; DQ; M.H Electric; Phillips Construction; M.C Hammer; Quality Roofing; MJD Septic Services; Modern Masonry; Midnight River Runners; Village Center Barber Shop; York Mills Auto Repair and; Speed Design Graphics. I also want to thank Richard and Anne Martin, from Martins Home Heating, for sponsoring the Sportsman division out at 660. Bradley Logan is a Speedway 660 legend. It sure is nice to see him back at the track working with his son Jacob.

Wade: Thanks for doing this Jacob and best of luck this season. Also on behalf of all the Speedway 660 fans I want to thank you for bringing the 37 sportsman back to the Geary Woods. It sure stirs up a lot of memories, especially for those of us who have been around here for awhile.

Jacob: Thank you very much Wade. I want to thank the Foley and Roy families for giving us a great place to race and all of the Speedway 660 staff. We are really glad to be back and hope we can put on a good show for the fans every week.