2017 Joe & Nick Memorial

Jay Brendle Is The Man To Beat In The Joe & Nick Memorial

Jay Brendle Is The Man To Beat In The Joe & Nick Memorial

Until last year, no one ever repeated as a winner of the Joe & Nick Memorial. Now, Jay Brendle has the opportunity to be make it three in a row.

Jun 9, 2017 by Victoria Beaver
Jay Brendle Is The Man To Beat In The Joe & Nick Memorial
Until last year, no one had ever repeated as a winner of the Joe and Nick Memorial at Sycamore Raceway in Maple Park, IL. Now, Jay Brendle has the opportunity to be make it three in a row on Saturday, June 10.

Watch the 2017 Joe and Nick Memorial LIVE on FloRacing

The 34-year-old runs in both the late model and super late model divisions at Sycamore Raceway and has won the super late feature at the Joe and Nick Memorial in each of the past two years. Since Brendle races in both super late and late models, he spends longer in the car each night than the majority of his competitors and believes the extra seat time gives him a leg up on other drivers.

"It's actually a lot better than just racing one," Brendle said. "You get more time on the track. You get the feel of how the track is throughout the night and how it changes. Some nights when it's real warm, it's hard on me, but I have a good team that keeps the cars going."

This has propelled Brendle to finish second or better in each of his last five starts in the Joe and Nick Memorial, stringing together three second-place finishes in a row before winning back-to-back races in 2015 and 2016. Brendle has been enjoying the spoils of being the "man to beat" at the track. 

"It's awesome, there are a lot of perks of being a track champion such as this interview and getting to go to auto shows, I really enjoy that," he said. "It's a great feeling to be the top guy at the race track, and hopefully, I can do it for at least another year."

Like every other driver strapping in this weekend, Brendle is excited to race in the memory of the track's owners and founders, Joe and Nick Fabrizius.

Brendle said, "The guys that put this track together put their heart and soul into it, and their whole family is still behind it." 

Joe & Nick Memorial Coverage

The Markham Cousins Keep Family Tradition Alive At Sycamore Raceway
The Joe & Nick Memorial Preview

Where To Watch

Sycamore Speedway
50w226 Old State Road
Maple Park, IL 60151

How To Watch

ON TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app today!
STREAMING: Available only on FloRacing. A yearly FloPRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites.
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