The biggest rookie supermodified class in recent history is anticipated for the 2010 season at Oswego Speedway.  Dave Gruel and Larry Muroski are moving up to the big blocks this summer from the PathFinder Bank SBS Series, while Shaun Gosselin and Cody Graham are expected to see seat time as well.  One of the first drivers to throw his “hat in the ring” for Rookie of the Year honors in the Novelis Supermodified class is SBS veteran David Danzer.

     While the Danzer name has been part of the Oswego Speedway for years, Dave turned his first laps at Oswego in an SBS car during the summer of 2004. He has been a regular competitor in the small block class since his debut six years ago. Dave and the family team reached the pinnacle of the SBS division on August 8, 2008, when he picked up his first Oswego Speedway feature win in a 30 lap main, as he held back Robbie Pullen, Dave Cliff, Larry Muroski and Shawn Walker for the popular win.

      Dave finished a career best 11th in the 2009 SBS point standings.  At the end of the ’09 year, however, the Scriba based team decided to make the jump to the supermodified division for 2010.  “We had been talking about it for a while”, Dave admitted. “I was talking with my dad, Joey Hawksby, and we really thought about it about November.  We then talked with Pat Furlong Jr, and he had the 22, and thought it would be a good car for someone.  That was the car Michael Barnes won his first race in, and is a good car.  I did a lot of work with Joey last summer, and worked on Greg’s (Furlong) car with Joey.”

     “My dad knows a lot more about the supers than the SBS cars, so we thought it was time to make the move,” Dave added.  Dave’s dad Craig Danzer is a familiar face in the Oswego pits for many years, owning cars driven by Bill Sharkey throughout his career. 

     Dave continued, “We have the chassis from Pat Jr, and our motor came from Bobby Bond, so we’ll be set to go.  We’re still a bit away from opening day, but now is when we are building the spare parts, getting many of the little things done that need to get taken care of.  There’s a lot of detail work to be done, but everything has to get done.  We’re out in the garage about 4 hours a night, getting things done. We’re putting everything together.  When dad got out of the supers, he sold everything.  We’re still going to take it to Joey’s to get a few things done, but overall, we’re in pretty good shape for now.”

     While Dave will take his first laps in a big block supermodified this summer, he’s going into the summer with a realistic look at his rookie campaign.  “It’s all about track time, seat time, and getting laps,” Dave said.  “Without a wing, with a wing, we just need to get seat time, as there is no replacement for track time.  The supermodifieds are a tough division, and we know what we’re getting in to. Heck, look at Pat Strong’s team.  Pat has had great equipment and great drivers, and he just got his first win this year.  It’s a tough field.   It’s a difficult class, but there are a lot of great people in it, and we’re looking forward to being part of the division.”

     The Danzer Team is moving up as a group, as the crew and sponsors are coming along for the ride.  “Bridge Street Jewelers is coming along as are the rest of my sponsors.  Doug Kells is coming also, as a sponsor and with help.  Doug knows the class well, and will really be valuable to me.”

    While he is moving up to the supers, don’t look for Dave to abandon the SBS class.  “We still have the small block, and look to race it a few times next year,” he added.  “We’re looking at the special races, the Tony White race, the Mr. SBS show, and the SBS Classic to run the small block,” Dave continued. 

    Dave Danzer, his dad Craig, and the rest of Danzer Racing is looking forward to the summer of 2010.  While they look ahead, they know it takes many hours pf preparation to be ready for the supermodified division, which is why you can find the lights on in the Danzer garage during the winter months. Before he went back to garage to finish up for the night, Dave summed it all up by saying, “We’re about than 100 days from the opener, but now is the time to get the work done.”