ANKENY, Iowa – Project Crate Engine Stock Car is officially in full operation.

Last Wednesday night, May 21, Mike VanGenderen of Newton, Iowa, debuted his new USRA Stock Car at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. There was another twist to the debut: VanGenderen’s Stock Car was the first to compete with the GM Performance Parts 604 Crate Engine.

Things went well for VanGenderen’s first night out. He raced to a fifth-place finish in his heat race and finished sixth in the “A” feature.

“This engine has plenty of power and the throttle response is good,” VanGenderen commented after the race. “I am very happy with the engine's performance for the first night out.

“Keeping in mind that it has been a while since I have raced a Stock Car at Osky and considering the fact that it is the first night out in a new car, I am very happy with our overall performance. The guys who finished in front of us are all experienced drivers with real good equipment, I will make some adjustments on the car and next week we will be more competitive.”

Fast forward one week to Wednesday, May 28: VanGenderen returns to the Southern Iowa Speedway with his Project Crate Engine Stock Car. After winning his heat race, VanGenderen re-drew the ninth-place starting position for the “A” feature. Starting the 20-lap event from his fifth row inside starting position, VanGenderen impressively move toward the front. A mid-race caution found VanGenderen running sixth, but raced into third place, challenging for second. A late-race caution came out, relegating VanGenderen back one spot for the restart.

“We didn’t need that last yellow,” he said after the race. “We had to restart on the inside of the double-file line up, and by that time in the race there was noting left on the bottom of the track. All night I had been passing on the top and on the restart a couple of cars got by before I could get back to the high side.”

At the checkered flag, VanGenderen held on for an impressive fifth-place finish. Again, ahead of VanGenderen were the “cream of the crop” in USRA Stock Car competition at the half-mile Southern Iowa Speedway. The top-10 finishing order was Zack VanderBeek, Kurt Krauskopf, Brian Mitrisin, Matt Greiner, VanGenderen, Bobby Greene, Howard Gordon Jr., Rick Todd, Dave Bennett and Nathan Wood.

At the end of the night, quite a crowd gathered at the VanGenderen pit. Drivers and fans stopped by to confirm that the engine in the VanGenderen machine was indeed a GM Performance Parts Crate Engine. On hand was GM Performance Parts representative from Karl Chevrolet, Chuck Stowe, who fielded many questions from the inquisitive crowd. Stowe commented that several drivers had serious questions and where strongly considering the use of the factory-sealed, durable and economical crate engine.

“With the interest that is being generated, I’m sure we will see more 604 Crate Engines in the Stock Car division in the very near future,” stated Stowe.

In an effort to further promote the use of GM Performance Parts Crate Engines, Karl Chevrolet will award any competitor who wins a feature event with a GM Performance Parts Crate Engine purchased through Karl Chevrolet, with a contingency certificate valued at $100. Winners of the $100 certificate can come into the dealership to purchase parts, items from the Pro Shop, GM Accessories or even use it to toward the purchase price of a new vehicle.

Karl Chevrolet is one of the leading suppliers in the country for the GM Performance Parts and GM Performance Parts Crate Engines used by sanctioning bodies, racing organizations and independent race tracks across the country. These durable, economical engines are built and sealed at the factory by General Motors to prevent any expensive modifications.

For more information about GM Performance Parts and GM Performance Parts Crate Engines, contact Stowe at Karl Chevrolet by phone at (515) 299-4434 or by e-mail at c.stowe@karlchevrolet.com.