Rod Evans
A bit about
Evans...
Evans...| Name: | Rod Evans |
| Hometown: | Saint Albans, WV |
| Birthday: | May 27th |
| Status: | Married |
| Spouse: | Nicci |
| Children: | (1) Rodney, Jr. |
| Occupation: | General Manager - Evans Lumber Company |
| Hobbies: | Racing, 4-wheeling, Skiing, Racing, Bowling, Golf , Racing |
| Years racing: | '2008 is his 30th year anniversary in dirt car racing... |
| Car Class: | Dirt Super Late Model |
| Car #: | R1 |
| Colors: |
White car with green number, purple prism & orange |
| Chassis: |
2004 Rocket |
| Motor: |
Chevy - Owned by: Rusty Bass |
| Body: |
Monte Carlo By: John Brown / Aluminum Stock Car Bodies Graphics by: Chad Justice / Axis Custom Decals |
| Most Memorable Moments: |
(Win) His first win... (Flip) Flipping several times at I-77 Motorsports Park (Win) "Beckley USA 100" in '2004 (Win) "Battle of the Bluegrass" from the tail in '2006 |
In 1974, Rod Evans of St. Albans, WV, began racing motorcycles at the age of eighteen. He remembers getting the racing fever when he was very young, watching his Uncle Dave Webster race at the paved track at Ona Speedway. In 1978, his uncle helped him build his first dirt hobby stock car. His first race was at Jackson County Speedway (now known as I-77 Raceway Park) off the Fairplain/Ripley exit. Even though he didn't finish his first race, he was determined he was going to make it to victory lane. With the help and support of several good friends and family, Evans recalls his first feature win with a smile. He says he knew then, it was only the beginning of something he wanted to do.
In the early 1980's, Rod teamed up with Rusty Bass and they were able to pick up McFarland Auto Parts as a sponsor running in the semi-late division. This enabled him to do a little more racing and get some experience at different tracks. Racing in the tri-states of WV, OH and KY, he began making a name for himself, and was able to pick up additional sponsors and co-sponsors throughout the years. In 1988, he moved up to the super late model class and it wasn't long before he was in victory lane in that division as well. By the end of the 1980's, he had picked up Burning Springs Farm as his main sponsor to help finance the cost of racing.
In the early 1990's, with the help of Kanawha Valley Maintenance (Rusty Bass), NAPA (Bobby Jarrett), E. A. Evans Construction (family) and Garrett Tire Center as additional sponsors, Rod was quickly moving forward. In 1994, he picked up Jasper Engines and Transmissions as his major sponsor and was able to put many more wins behind him. Rick Harrah, the branch owner of Jasper Engines & Transmissions in South Charleston, WV, became a weekly crew member and maintains a close relationship with Rod. After winning the I-77 Speedway Track Championships in 1997 and 1998, and adding the seasons to current date, Rod's accomplished 177 feature wins.
In the New Millennium, Rod experienced the worst racing accident of his career when his car was demolished after flipping several times down the front straight stretch at I-77 Speedway. Everyone was glad to see that he wasn't hurt, and thanks to his sponsors and crew, it was only a couple of weeks before he was back out on the track again. "Sponsorship is a vital part of racing" Evans says. He'll be the first to tell you that without his sponsors and the people that help him, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the sport that interests him and/or the pursuit of victory.
'2008 is here... and it's Rods 30th year anniversary in dirt car racing! To help celebrate the occasion, he and Rusty Bass have decided to team up once again to see if they can make this one of their most memorable years of racing! Eddie Lucas will also be joining the team again along with Rick Harrah, Michael Webster, Bobby Jarrett and Rodney, Jr. They're all looking forward to the new season with great anticipation.
Special Thanks to Rusty and Diana Bass of Kanawha Valley Maintenance
~ and ~
Special Thanks to Rick Harrah of Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Rods current sponsors are Kanawha Valley Maintenance LLC, Jasper Engines and Transmissions, Nitro Sunroom and Window MFG, Fas Chek Supermarkets, NAPA Auto Parts, Dave Poske's Performance Parts and Jeffrey J. Evans Construction. Rod would like to thank all of his sponsors, crew members, family, friends and fans for the support they have given him over the years.
And we would like to wish Rod and team the best of luck for the '2008 season!!!
