He slid to a stop on the frontstretch and was quickly engulfed in bright flashbulbs. It didn’t take long for the seatbelts to be unfastened and as if scripted, Jack climbed out of his sprint car and hopped onto the tail tank to the roar of the crowd.
With his hand raised in the air and his No. 53 race car glistening in the crisp summer night, Jack celebrated a signature moment after claiming the prestigious ASCS National Tour’s Eagle Nationals at his home track of Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Neb. There were TV cameras and radio interviews; numerous pictures and countless autographs.
His winning smile and gracious attitude combined with continuing success on the track have created a dynamic individual known as “The Gasman.” He received the nickname at an early age because of a relentless love of speed. As Jack grew through the racing ranks, driving bigger and faster race cars, his reputation became further cemented.
It began as a 9-year-old competing in micro midgets. Jack finished all six of his micro midget years in the top 10 nationally and he claimed numerous track and regional titles. After winning the 2001 NMMA Junior Micro Midget National Championship, Jack had a breakout year in 2004 when he won the Restrictor Micro Midget National Championship, the prestigious Tulsa Shootout and the Valvoline Cup National title.
Jack transitioned to sprint cars in 2005, when he spent a year behind the wheel of a 305ci engine sprinter. He promptly earned the first Rising Star Award at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., and Jack won every A Main event he competed in that season.
In 2006, Dover advanced to the 360ci class and claimed the Eagle Raceway and ASCS Midwest Region Rookie of the Year honors. He also won the Eckley Memorial feature, placed third in points at Eagle Raceway and was the runner-up in the ASCS Midwest Region.
Since that rookie season, Dover has earned nearly additional 50 victories, two ASCS Midwest Region championships, five ASCS National Tour wins and finished in the top 10 in both seasons of competing full-time on the ASCS National Tour.
Jack has won at every level he’s competed at and he has built himself into a player at the national level. His goal of eventually racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is alive as he continues to gain attention and credibility.