Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

The Port Angeles-based Righteous Racing team, with driver Jon VanGesen of Port Orchard, won the 2009 Northwest Legends Masters Division Championship at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The 2009 NW Legends Series season consisted of 20 racing events at seven speedways in Washington, Idaho and Montana.

In 2009, VanGesen won two overall main events and five Masters Division main events en route to the 2009 Championship. VanGesen's overall wins came on the flat and fast half-mile oval at Yakima Speedway and on the smooth high-banked quarter-mile oval at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho.

VanGesen was the 2007 Outlaw Compact Champion and the 2008 Northwest Legends Semi Pro "Rookie of the Year" and Championship runner-up.

"Winning two championships in three years, in two different racing series, shows the strength of our race team," VanGesen said. "Thank you for the commitment of so many businesses that we represent to thousands of race fans each racing season."

Several Olympic Peninsula businesses partners support the Righteous Racing team.

They include Sequim Les Schwab Tire Center, Steve's Repair, Mt. Pleasant IGS, Gordy's Pizza, Dockside Grill, the Auto Doctor, Northwest Driving School, A-1 Auto Parts, Calvary Chapel of Sequim, CrashSupply.com, Northwest Mortgage, John Miller Insurance, FosterFamilyConnections.org and Extra Mile Electric.

"Our race team would like to thank all of our sponsors in helping us accomplish our goal to win the 2009 championship," said co-owner Thom VanGesen. "We could not have won this championship in our second year, in the Legends Series, without their financial help. It is also a great asset to have one of the best drivers and racing teams in the Northwest."

Thom and Jai VanGesen of Port Angeles own Righteous Racing. Team members are Jerry West, Jacob VanGesen, Ian VanGesen and Steve Deets, who assist with repairing and setting up the car for each race.

Thom VanGesen operates the Auto Doctor from Port Angeles during the week.