Wednesday sports: Willix off to fast start

LAFARGEVILLE, New York (WWNY) – Lance Willix is a talented modified driver, who has already made four trips to the winner’s circle this racing season, including two at Can-Am Speedway in LaFargeville,

Willix scored his latest win Friday night.

The 358 modified driver keeps a busy schedule each week.

“Ah, we run here (at Can-Am) Friday nights. Saturday nights we go to Fulton. And then Sunday nights we go to Glen Ridge,” he said.

And that’s before you add in the Super Dirt Car Series races.

Willix says there’s no big secret to his success. It’s just hard work on the car.

“We put our time in all week and make sure our stuff’s right when we get to the racetrack. You know, we’ve got a good shock package and our race cars are good – and a good engine package, that’s all we can ask for,” Willix said.

Willix’s association with Can-Am Speedway goes back a long time.

“Oh, I grew up here. My mom and dad scored here back when the Thurstons had it. I’ve been coming here probably 40 years, 45 years at least.”

Willix’s race career at Can-Am began in the economy stock.

“We did those a couple of years.. We got a Sportsman, we tried that, and I got an asphalt street stock that we went to Evans Mills with for a year but I really liked the dirt thing so we stuck with dirt.“

He learned a lot from a racing legend back in the mid-90′s, Buzzy Ruetterman..

“94, 95 we were crew chief for Buzzy when he was still up here at Sonny’s Farm Market, a big help, big learning experience for that,” he said.

A busy scheduled will keep Willix on the track a lot this season.

” Yup, that’s plenty. I mean, that’s enough for me and the wife and our son and PJ Rasmussen goes with us. And that’s plenty. We’ve got enough races,” Willix said.

Willix is the first to admit he couldn’t do it without his sponsors. He has a long list: ” Dorr Construction, Marine, Dig Race Products, Zero 3 Motorsports, Watertown Eagles Club, Watertown Boxing Club, Northshire Construction, The Big Guy and his Bride, All Pro Siding, Theresa Redemption Company.

“Without them over the years,, we wouldn’t by where we’re at today. Morrison Performance, Volco Wheels, without all the help these guys give us we wouldn’t be here now.”

Lance Willix, after eight wins last season, he’s finding success once again this year.

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