Jeff Zuidema Getting Deep
By Yoda
Since writing the first article, Jeff Zuidema Nuts and Bolts Jeff and I have been playin’ e-mail tag. Between his problem computer
and my school schedule it’s taken forever to get this written. For a while I was worried about the lag time between articles but it did
give me a chance to get to know him better.
While at Seekonk I got a chance to see him off the track, the racetrack that is. I saw him race his buddies, and his family at the Go-
kart track down the street from Seekonk Speedway. I also got to ram a bumper car into him, while he tried to steal hats from other
people. It was loads of fun! At one point his daughter pleaded to run the Bumper Cars again so that she could, “Try to hit you!
(Jeff)”
Every week at Monadnock I observed a guy who is friends with everyone and is always willing to listen when someone needs to
talk. I also saw him get angry on more than one occasion. When you meet Jeff you don’t usually think of him being angry. He’s
happy-go-lucky and a great person. It took me a while to get Jeff’s Q and A together, and when I actually got to read everything I
laughed and even felt a little sad a time or two. Read on to find out why.
J.C.: What got you into racing?
J.Z.: My father was a successful drag racer and made his living building engines, so I grew up around races, cars, and classic
cars. A couple of successful drivers he built engines for were Dave Humphrey, Jim McCallum, and Joe Howard, so at 10 years old I
was working on race cars.
J.C.: Who was your hero/role model growing up?
J.Z.: Awesome Bill from Dawsonville. Bill Elliott.
J.C.: How has racing changed since you started?
J.Z.: When I first started you had to build most of the racing parts, now you can just go and buy parts. I think that’s changed the
way people drive, because you don't have to spend as much time building, but you need the money to buy.
J.C.: Whom do you not mind racing with all day long?
J.Z.: I enjoy racing with Russ Hersey at Monadnock, Mike O'Sullivan and Jeff Conners at Thompson in the Pro Stocks, Marc
Palmisano in the Late Models, and George Sherman in the Pro 4s. They’re all-clean and race hard.
J.C.: You’ve said your wife doesn’t like racing. Why is that? Is she still supportive of your habit?
J.Z.: Picture 23 straight years of no summer vacations. We met in 1982, I started racing in 1983, we got married in 1990, and so
racing’s been there as long as Jennifer has. She doesn't like all the time it takes from the family, but we're still together so she’s
learned to deal with racing. If I quit tomorrow it wouldn't break her heart!
J.C.: Do you see either of your kids jumping behind the wheel? How would you support them?
J.Z.: I think Shelby would make a hell of a driver. She’s very aggressive and has flipped the go-kart, rolled the 4 wheeler, and gets
right back on. No one wants to drive with her (she goes too fast). But right now she’s into that boy-thing. Ben’s beginning to
spend a lot of time in the race shop, and asking a lot of questions, I do think he'll race, and as long as he's 100% committed he'll
have my support.
J.C.: Why do you think you’ve been so successful in racing?
J.Z.: Lucky. Longevity? I think my father taught me a lot of important lessons early; he had a lot of veteran racing help... Fats
Caruso, Jim Libby, Jim McCallum, Pete Fandaca, Punky Caron. Plus, I've been very lucky to drive for great race teams.
J.C.: Many people find racing difficult these days because of the expense. Do you have advice for acquiring sponsors and
funding?
J.Z.: Yes, try not to spend your money. Only kidding, I'll tell you, this is what I've learned. Of all the great sponsors I've had over
the years. They have to enjoy the same interest (racing) and like going to the racetrack with friends and family to watch their car.
So of course, be willing to spend their money.
J.C.: How has racing changed your life?
J.Z.: My wedding was scheduled in the off-season, my kids were born in the off-season, I bought my house in the off-season, and
our vacations are planned for the off-season. See a pattern? But the biggest thing is all the great people I've met. Racing people
are the "Greatest People on Earth!"
J.C.: Where do you see your racing career going?
J.Z.: Near the end! I almost moved south in 1990, that’s when I made my choice to stay a weekend racer and not become a
fulltime racer. I'll stay a New England racer a little longer then retire.
J.C.: Do you enjoy working on the car and racing or just showing up to drive?
J.Z.: I like being hands on. I still build my late models with a lot of help from Bob Fill Racing. When they are wrecked, I like just
showing up.
J.C.: Describe your favorite win:
J.Z.: I’d say the Late Model Open 100 at Thompson about 6 years ago. I had the 100-lap Late Model race and a 200 lap Pass Pro
Stock Race. In qualifying for the
Late Model race I was in a wreck, the snout was bent and the rear was ripped out, I didn't have time to fix it because of time trails
and heat races for the Pass race. My crew with "a lot of help" from other crews (racing people are the greatest. Oh I already said
that.) twisted, taped, tie wrapped, riveted, duct taped, glued the car back together, I started 40th. By lap 50 we were 5th, but got a
flat and a caution, changed the tire, and started in the back again, at lap 75 we were 6th, but got another flat and another caution,
changed the tire and started in the back again. At lap 98 we were 3rd and there was a caution. Green-white-checkered, on the
restart the 1st and 2nd place cars got together and we won the race. In victory lane the tie wraps holding the nosepiece broke
and left the nosepiece on the ground. What a great team effort!
J.C.: Ever consider running at Thunder Road?
J.Z.: Find me a ride and I'll be there, I’d love to "kiss the cow."
J.C.: What’s your opinion on legend Punky Caron?
J.Z.: Love him off the track. Hate; no dislike him on the track. The guy can take a "field car" and win with it. If you ever see him tell
him "hi" for me.
J.C.: What’s your opinion of NASCAR and the changes they’ve made in Nextel Cup and the other series?
J.Z.: I think Nextel cup has become such big business that its had to change, the chase for the cup keeps fans interested right to
the end, the Busch series isn't as interesting, but I love the trucks. More passing. Nobody’s sitting back.
J.C.: Have you had a favorite chassis?
J.Z.: Yes, it was a Jim Libby car that I drove for Red Carlson, the #15 Budweiser car. That car was built in 1988 for Richard Petty
in the Bud Showdown Series, that was the year petty flipped at Daytona, and he couldn't drive so Tim Richmond drove it, it the
Showdown Series. Then Jim Libby won the championship at Monadnock in 1990, Red bought the car and had me drive it. We won
like 50 races with that car from 1991 to 2002. That car was 15 years old and winning, great race car.
J.C.: What are you doing when you’re not racing?
J.Z.: I am a "die-hard" New England Patriots fan; I've had season’s ticket since 1993. My son Ben’s starting to enjoy going the
games, we have a group of 12 that go, so it's a great time. Every February we travel with a group of friends, race people, to a
different vacation spot, the most we've gone with is 35 people.
J.C.: What advice would you give to someone starting out in this sport?
J.Z.: I'd say this, first be sure it’s what you wanna do before you invest "all" your money, spend a very little and drive with one of
those racing schools like a Ken Bouchard driving school, or the Richard Petty experience. Some people think they'll like it, invest
all their money and build or buy a race team, don't like it and have spent their savings.
J.C.: Do you name your cars?
J.Z.: Yes, most of them, all but that white car!
J.C.: How have your parents influenced your driving career?
J.Z.: I owe my whole career to my father, he taught me so much about the cars, engines, chassis, the people, and the sponsors. I
do miss him a lot and every year as we get close to a championship I think of what he taught me, never hold your head too low,
and never hold it too high. My mother still helps me; the race shop is at her house so we have her up all night.
I hope Jeff’s racing career doesn’t end too soon! I always look forward to seeing him when I’m at Monadnock. He’s fun to watch
as a driver, both aggressive and has an eye for making the right move at the right time. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a
mentor, as a teacher. Jeff is like all the great racers he has a big heart.
By Yoda
Since writing the first article, Jeff Zuidema Nuts and Bolts Jeff and I have been playin’ e-mail tag. Between his problem computer
and my school schedule it’s taken forever to get this written. For a while I was worried about the lag time between articles but it did
give me a chance to get to know him better.
While at Seekonk I got a chance to see him off the track, the racetrack that is. I saw him race his buddies, and his family at the Go-
kart track down the street from Seekonk Speedway. I also got to ram a bumper car into him, while he tried to steal hats from other
people. It was loads of fun! At one point his daughter pleaded to run the Bumper Cars again so that she could, “Try to hit you!
(Jeff)”
Every week at Monadnock I observed a guy who is friends with everyone and is always willing to listen when someone needs to
talk. I also saw him get angry on more than one occasion. When you meet Jeff you don’t usually think of him being angry. He’s
happy-go-lucky and a great person. It took me a while to get Jeff’s Q and A together, and when I actually got to read everything I
laughed and even felt a little sad a time or two. Read on to find out why.
J.C.: What got you into racing?
J.Z.: My father was a successful drag racer and made his living building engines, so I grew up around races, cars, and classic
cars. A couple of successful drivers he built engines for were Dave Humphrey, Jim McCallum, and Joe Howard, so at 10 years old I
was working on race cars.
J.C.: Who was your hero/role model growing up?
J.Z.: Awesome Bill from Dawsonville. Bill Elliott.
J.C.: How has racing changed since you started?
J.Z.: When I first started you had to build most of the racing parts, now you can just go and buy parts. I think that’s changed the
way people drive, because you don't have to spend as much time building, but you need the money to buy.
J.C.: Whom do you not mind racing with all day long?
J.Z.: I enjoy racing with Russ Hersey at Monadnock, Mike O'Sullivan and Jeff Conners at Thompson in the Pro Stocks, Marc
Palmisano in the Late Models, and George Sherman in the Pro 4s. They’re all-clean and race hard.
J.C.: You’ve said your wife doesn’t like racing. Why is that? Is she still supportive of your habit?
J.Z.: Picture 23 straight years of no summer vacations. We met in 1982, I started racing in 1983, we got married in 1990, and so
racing’s been there as long as Jennifer has. She doesn't like all the time it takes from the family, but we're still together so she’s
learned to deal with racing. If I quit tomorrow it wouldn't break her heart!
J.C.: Do you see either of your kids jumping behind the wheel? How would you support them?
J.Z.: I think Shelby would make a hell of a driver. She’s very aggressive and has flipped the go-kart, rolled the 4 wheeler, and gets
right back on. No one wants to drive with her (she goes too fast). But right now she’s into that boy-thing. Ben’s beginning to
spend a lot of time in the race shop, and asking a lot of questions, I do think he'll race, and as long as he's 100% committed he'll
have my support.
J.C.: Why do you think you’ve been so successful in racing?
J.Z.: Lucky. Longevity? I think my father taught me a lot of important lessons early; he had a lot of veteran racing help... Fats
Caruso, Jim Libby, Jim McCallum, Pete Fandaca, Punky Caron. Plus, I've been very lucky to drive for great race teams.
J.C.: Many people find racing difficult these days because of the expense. Do you have advice for acquiring sponsors and
funding?
J.Z.: Yes, try not to spend your money. Only kidding, I'll tell you, this is what I've learned. Of all the great sponsors I've had over
the years. They have to enjoy the same interest (racing) and like going to the racetrack with friends and family to watch their car.
So of course, be willing to spend their money.
J.C.: How has racing changed your life?
J.Z.: My wedding was scheduled in the off-season, my kids were born in the off-season, I bought my house in the off-season, and
our vacations are planned for the off-season. See a pattern? But the biggest thing is all the great people I've met. Racing people
are the "Greatest People on Earth!"
J.C.: Where do you see your racing career going?
J.Z.: Near the end! I almost moved south in 1990, that’s when I made my choice to stay a weekend racer and not become a
fulltime racer. I'll stay a New England racer a little longer then retire.
J.C.: Do you enjoy working on the car and racing or just showing up to drive?
J.Z.: I like being hands on. I still build my late models with a lot of help from Bob Fill Racing. When they are wrecked, I like just
showing up.
J.C.: Describe your favorite win:
J.Z.: I’d say the Late Model Open 100 at Thompson about 6 years ago. I had the 100-lap Late Model race and a 200 lap Pass Pro
Stock Race. In qualifying for the
Late Model race I was in a wreck, the snout was bent and the rear was ripped out, I didn't have time to fix it because of time trails
and heat races for the Pass race. My crew with "a lot of help" from other crews (racing people are the greatest. Oh I already said
that.) twisted, taped, tie wrapped, riveted, duct taped, glued the car back together, I started 40th. By lap 50 we were 5th, but got a
flat and a caution, changed the tire, and started in the back again, at lap 75 we were 6th, but got another flat and another caution,
changed the tire and started in the back again. At lap 98 we were 3rd and there was a caution. Green-white-checkered, on the
restart the 1st and 2nd place cars got together and we won the race. In victory lane the tie wraps holding the nosepiece broke
and left the nosepiece on the ground. What a great team effort!
J.C.: Ever consider running at Thunder Road?
J.Z.: Find me a ride and I'll be there, I’d love to "kiss the cow."
J.C.: What’s your opinion on legend Punky Caron?
J.Z.: Love him off the track. Hate; no dislike him on the track. The guy can take a "field car" and win with it. If you ever see him tell
him "hi" for me.
J.C.: What’s your opinion of NASCAR and the changes they’ve made in Nextel Cup and the other series?
J.Z.: I think Nextel cup has become such big business that its had to change, the chase for the cup keeps fans interested right to
the end, the Busch series isn't as interesting, but I love the trucks. More passing. Nobody’s sitting back.
J.C.: Have you had a favorite chassis?
J.Z.: Yes, it was a Jim Libby car that I drove for Red Carlson, the #15 Budweiser car. That car was built in 1988 for Richard Petty
in the Bud Showdown Series, that was the year petty flipped at Daytona, and he couldn't drive so Tim Richmond drove it, it the
Showdown Series. Then Jim Libby won the championship at Monadnock in 1990, Red bought the car and had me drive it. We won
like 50 races with that car from 1991 to 2002. That car was 15 years old and winning, great race car.
J.C.: What are you doing when you’re not racing?
J.Z.: I am a "die-hard" New England Patriots fan; I've had season’s ticket since 1993. My son Ben’s starting to enjoy going the
games, we have a group of 12 that go, so it's a great time. Every February we travel with a group of friends, race people, to a
different vacation spot, the most we've gone with is 35 people.
J.C.: What advice would you give to someone starting out in this sport?
J.Z.: I'd say this, first be sure it’s what you wanna do before you invest "all" your money, spend a very little and drive with one of
those racing schools like a Ken Bouchard driving school, or the Richard Petty experience. Some people think they'll like it, invest
all their money and build or buy a race team, don't like it and have spent their savings.
J.C.: Do you name your cars?
J.Z.: Yes, most of them, all but that white car!
J.C.: How have your parents influenced your driving career?
J.Z.: I owe my whole career to my father, he taught me so much about the cars, engines, chassis, the people, and the sponsors. I
do miss him a lot and every year as we get close to a championship I think of what he taught me, never hold your head too low,
and never hold it too high. My mother still helps me; the race shop is at her house so we have her up all night.
I hope Jeff’s racing career doesn’t end too soon! I always look forward to seeing him when I’m at Monadnock. He’s fun to watch
as a driver, both aggressive and has an eye for making the right move at the right time. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a
mentor, as a teacher. Jeff is like all the great racers he has a big heart.