(Wooster, Ohio) Sometimes being the son of a famous
sprint car driver doesn't mean you'll start your racing career at a
young age. For Trey Jacobs childhood was spent on a wrestling mat and
traveling with his dad, Dean Jacobs, and family to watch him race.
“While my dad and brother were in
the pits, my mom and I would shop for dinner. My first love was
wrestling and I didn't have time to race,” Trey said.
Spending time on the road with Dean
didn't really sink in until Trey got older.
“I realized how amazing it was to
watch those guys race every night. Living out of the motor home and
spending all season on the road with them. I'm thankful for that
experience.”
That all changed when Trey was 19 and
had the opportunity to race a 305ci sprint car for an owner out of
Mansfield, Ohio a few times. In 2014 Trey tried his hand at a 305ci
full time at Attica Raceway Park and Fremont Speedway. He spent two
years in the 305ci division and in 2016 made the jump to 410ci
sprints.
“I loved 305. It was a blast. The
305 guys here are awesome. Everyone says I have done better in 410. I
made a lot of personal changes. I grew up watching 410,” said Trey
of the quick jump in divisions.
The 2016 season had its ups and downs
for Trey. In spite of losing a motor part way through the season, he
still finished 13th in points at Attica Raceway Park and
14th in points with the Fremont/Attica Sprint Title (FAST)
series in his Vib-ISO, Peit
Electric & Plumbing; Harbach Electronics; Simpson; Butlerbuilt;
Rod End Supply; Bell Motorsports Technology 3J.
Trey credits fans for helping him
finish the 2016 season. “People started to notice when I ran
decent. It helps being Dean Jacobs son and people knowing who I am.
Random fans would come up to me in the pits and help me with tires or
fuel. I'm also signed under my dad's product sponsors for now and
when I get going I'll sign my own deals.”
On race nights he said fellow drivers
Jordan Ryan and Kyle Capodice help a lot.
“I'm kind of short handed and
everyone around me helps out,” he said.
Trey has also learned from Dean how to
watch race tracks change during the night. “He helped me learn how
to find a groove. He would run the 410 and I would watch. He would
tell me top or bottom and to always watch the track.”
His dad isn't his only competition
that he has watched to better himself as a driver.
“My brother raced 410 for a couple
years. I watch a lot of YouTube videos in the off season. Donny
Schatz amazes me and I could only dream to be like that. I also
really look up to Dale Blaney. He started racing at an older age and
I really admire that,” he said. “I also watch Broc Martin or
Sheldon Haudenschild, a lot of my friends, even if I race against
them.”
Starting out at an older age doesn't
worry Trey.
“It makes me smarter because I know
the value of my work to build the car.”
Social media has become the fastest
and easiest way for fans and drivers to interact and Trey hasn't
shied away from being himself on his social media.
“I'll give my opinion. No bull. What
you see is what you get. But I've done a lot of soul searching and
felt like I made too many enemies. I didn't plan to and I don't plan
to continue doing that. I can't hate on a guy that has the same dream
as I do,” he said.
In December the World of Outlaws
announced that they were going to impliment random drug testing and
Trey has no worry about that on the local level.
“I don't see a local problem,” he
said. “I don't feel like the guys I race with use. No one wants to
be on the track with someone under the influence. If I did think I
raced with one I would want them tested.”
In 2016, Trey's highlights included a
sixth place finish at Attica Raceway Park followed by setting quick
time at Fremont Speedway the next night and finishing third at
Fremont behind Broc Martin and Cole Duncan.
In 2017 he plans on racing for Attica,
Fremont and FAST points and is looking forward to getting to race in
local All Star Circuit of Champion races as well.
Trey is currently looking for any
additional sponsorship to help him throughout the 2017 season.
Interested parties may contact Trey at 330-988-0153 or
Tjacobs.jacobsmotorsports@yahoo.com
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