Meet the Champions: Dave Trudeau – Mini Stock
In 17 years of racing, Dave Trudeau is a self-described aggressive, hot-headed competitor. It was his ability to harness that aggression and turn it into an extreme level of focus that guided him to his first career championship.
As is the case for most, the season for Trudeau started well before the traditional season opening Icebreaker in the cold winter months as he prepared his machine for battle, but only after working on cars for his fellow competitors. He funds his now championship-winning team by repairing other race cars, most of which he doesn’t actually compete against. It may be using his tradecraft in the auto body shop or assisting with chassis setups. Collectively his racing acumen funds his racing budget.
Trudeau first competed at Thompson while driving a Late Model in 2000 at the World Series of Speedway Racing. After dabbling by running a race here and a race there, a full-time opportunity arrived in 2003. After just one season, it was on-again, off-again as sponsors and owners came and went. In 2006, he ran his last full-time season as a Late Model competitor, but that didn’t mean he was ready to hang up his helmet and gloves.
In 2012, Trudeau transitioned to run in the Mini Stock division full time, which has been his home through this season. In the interim, he worked on the crew for his brother-in-law Randy Jurcik as he competed at Thompson.
2015 proved the time for Trudeau to shine. In the first few races of the season, it was clear that Scott Michalski would be his closest competitor after Michalski won 3 of the first 4 events, including a clean sweep of a pair of events on Icebreaker weekend.
“In the beginning we didn’t think we had a shot at the title because of the way the 51 (Michalski) was performing early,” said Trudeau.
Seeing the success of Michalski inspired Trudeau to go back to work and find more speed back at the shop. At the start of the season, he intended to campaign a newer car that he piloted for one season at another track before bringing it to Thompson. After that car failed to meet his expectations, he parked it to bring out what he calls “Old Faithful.” Trudeau earned 3 runner-up finishes in the first five races, but further changes were needed.
“My car has always been a good handling race car,” said Trudeau. “Where we were lacking was in performance.”
Prior to the August running of the Bud 150 race program, Trudeau connected with Engines by Andy to put a new power plant under the hood. He went on to win the next two races leading up to the final event of the year, the World Series, giving him a 30-point advantage in the championship chase.
In the weeks prior to the World Series, many came and offered Trudeau advice for the final race.
“I just really wanted the championship,” said Trudeau. “I’ve mellowed out a little from what I used to be like and I stayed focused, stayed calm and just did what I needed to do.”
He finished 10th at the World Series after getting in trouble early, but it was enough to win the crown.
Trudeau says the title still has not sunk in completely, but that it likely will at the banquet. For the first time, this year’s hardware will be given out on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Mohegan Sun. Maybe then, when he is standing in the bright lights on the championship stage, Trudeau will realize he is indeed a Thompson Speedway champion.
Tickets for the 2015 Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Banquet can be ordered by calling MaryAnn at the Speedway Office at (860) 923-2280 or email at oval@thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Joe Coss/Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park