By ohnson 
In the NJ/PA area, during an exceptionally quiet off-season, one of the most puzzling aspects that remained unresolved was the identity of the driver who would take the wheel of the Mike Petruska and Sons / Atlas Paving #66. This #66 vehicle is highly coveted in the local modified circuit. The team has achieved varying degrees of success with every driver who has ever manned the powerful TEO chassis Modifieds, powered by Billy the Kid Performance motors.
After a highly successful 2 ½-year tenure with Duane Howard that concluded in August 2016, Rick Laubach wrapped up the season piloting the team’s big block at Bridgeport, Orange County, and in the World Finals at Charlotte. The burning question then was who the team would appoint as the driver for 2017.
Rumors have been circulating for the past month or so, suggesting that a certain multiple-time championship driver would be recruited for 2017. However, neither the driver nor the team would either confirm or deny these rumors. As it turns out, the rumor was not just a rumor but has proven to be factual.
The “Ringoes Rocket” Ryan Godown will be at the helm of the powerful Atlas Paving #66 in 2017. The team’s current plans involve competing weekly at the New Egypt Speedway, where Godown is a four-time track champion, as well as participating in the STSS South Region races and other special events throughout the year.
The Petruska’s are no newcomers to weekly competitions at the central jersey dirt track. A few years ago, they competed weekly with Billy Pauch Jr as their driver and also managed to secure a couple of victories at the track with Howard. Given both the drivers’ and the owner’s familiarity with the New Egypt track, this is expected to be a highly potent combination. This should also position Godown as the preseason favorite to claim his fifth title in the last seven years, although the aforementioned Billy Pauch Jr is likely to have something to say about that.
I had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with Godown regarding his plans for the upcoming season. Besides being named the driver of the #66, Godown also had some other exciting news to disclose about 2017.
DTD: How did the opportunity arise to drive for the Petruska’s?
Ryan Godown: “The last couple of years have been quite challenging for me. Despite receiving significant support from sponsors, the burden largely rested on me, and it has been exhausting over the past few years with the effort we had to put in to make it all work. I was seeking to join a team and alleviate the financial aspect, or at least a portion of it. To participate in as many races as we do and handle everything independently is incredibly tough, even with the outstanding sponsors we have. Come November, nothing seemed to be materializing, so we initially thought we would be doing the same next year. Then, a few weeks ago, Jared (Petruska) called, and we had one conversation. My brother (Sam) and I discussed it, went there for a meeting with Jared and the team, and everything just fell into place from that point onward. We were finally able to finalize everything in the last week or so and make it official.”
DTD: Now that you have been named the driver of the #66, which is a well-known and sought-after ride, what are your thoughts and expectations for the year?
RG: “Knowing their history and the top-notch equipment they provide, they are a first-class team to drive for. They’ve had (Stewart) Friesen drive for them on several occasions, and you can see the success they achieved together. There weren’t many offers that appealed to me, but since they reached out and expressed interest, it was an offer I could genuinely look forward to because they are a top-notch team. I believe that working with Jared, who is extremely astute when it comes to these race cars, and the knowledge I can contribute, we can all coalesce rapidly. I have the experience of handling all my own set-ups and working with the shocks. With Jared, Mike Sr, Mike Jr, Eric, along with my brother and a couple of my crew members, this has the potential to evolve into an exceptional team.”
DTD: What will be the schedule for you and the Petruska team in 2017?
RG: “As of now, we will be competing full-time at New Egypt Speedway. We will participate in the Deyo STSS South series along with some other major block specials at Bridgeport and other tracks. The schedule is not entirely finalized until we assess what other races are available, but that’s our current plan.”
DTD: You have been a staunch supporter of Troyer chassis for as long as I can recall. Clearly, driving for the Petruska’s means you will now be piloting Teo chassis cars. How smoothly do you anticipate the transition from driving the Troyer car to the TEO car will be?
RG: “Before I started driving the Troyer cars, I did drive TEO cars. When I drove for Johnny Rae, we had TEO cars and we were successful with them. I still have Troyer cars of my own and will continue to drive them in a handful of races. Troyer has always been kind to me, and I will keep driving the Troyer cars in my garage. I think with Jared’s in-depth knowledge of the TEO cars and my general understanding of the vehicle and what I prefer to feel in the seat, along with working with Fox Shocks. Jared is highly skilled in working with the Fox shocks, and I, having worked with Fox in the past few years, will make the transition effortless. Jared has been intensely focused on working with the set-ups on the TEO cars for a considerable time and has an excellent rapport with them. Coupled with my ability to focus on what I like in a dirt car and Jared’s experience, I am truly enthusiastic about the new season.”
DTD: Will you visit the #66 shop during the week to assist with working on the car?
RG: “Yes, I will. We haven’t yet because we are in the same situation. They are involved in snowplowing, and so are we. The season is so lengthy, and when it ends, you need to catch up on certain matters. Honestly, I haven’t done much racing-related stuff in the last few months. I’ve been trying to take it easy and watch my son play basketball during the winter.”
DTD: Now that you have an agreement with the Petruska’s, will you be using your own car to fill in your schedule at Bid Diamond and some of the STSS North races where you were highly successful last year?
RG: “No, we have another arrangement in place, which is the second part of the 2017 equation. I am excited and delighted to announce that we will be collaborating with Steve Searock and his Searock Fabrications Team for a joint effort. We have joined forces with Steve (Searock), and our plan is to kick off the season at Big Diamond and participate in all the Deyo STSS North races. Steve is an outstanding individual who has a passion for racing, and I am elated to be driving for him. With the Searock team, we will also be using a TEO chassis, which will facilitate my adaptation to driving them. The only STSS North race where I won’t be driving the Searock car is at Middletown, where I will be in the #66. I’ll be maintaining and housing the car at my workshop, making it a more hands-on arrangement for me. Joining the #66 team will enable me to dedicate my efforts to making this deal successful instead of having to toil late in the shop every night to prepare my own equipment for New Egypt or Big Diamond each week. We will still run my Troyer cars whenever we feel inclined to participate in races that are not on either of the other team’s schedules. Ryan Grim will also be returning to drive for the Searock team at both Big Diamond and Grandview. With my involvement with the team, hopefully, I can assist him in achieving better results at those tracks as well.”
DTD: You have an excellent rapport with John Chemidlin and the #747 team. With John, you won numerous races and championships, particularly at New Egypt Speedway. With all these changes for this year, what is the status of the #747 team?
RG: “John is still with us. We still have the #747 big block to utilize or whatever car we decide to make the #747. John and I recently had a meeting, and he still desires to be involved. He has sold his business and retired, which is consuming his time as he organizes those matters. John has been extremely kind to me over the years, and we aim to participate in at least a few races with his cars. If we still proceed with the deal for the wingless car at New Egypt again, he will still be involved in that as well. And the final part of the equation is the #901 Hewlett car. I still have all his equipment here, and if there is a race he wishes to attend and I’m available, we can take Bill’s car to participate in a couple of races.”
DTD: It sounds like you have a hectic season planned for 2017?
RG: “Yes and No. It all depends on what we decide to do. We have our fixed schedule with the #66 and the Searock car. If there is another race we wish to attend in New York or elsewhere, we will go. I will have my cars at the ready, along with the #747. If we want to race, we will.”
DTD: How will it feel for you going to New Eypgt on Saturday nights with just your suit and helmet and no race car in tow?
RG: “It’s definitely going to be a change. As I mentioned, I don’t think I could undertake such an arrangement with many teams, but I know I can do it with the #66 team and feel confident. And to top it off, they are all great guys. I’ve met them all, and we all share the same goal. They are hardworking individuals, just like us, and we all aim to win. They don’t race for a living, and neither do we. But if we aren’t winning races, they won’t be content, and I surely won’t be either. I know that neither they nor I will ever give up. If the car isn’t performing well during the night, with all of us working together, we will still be able to bring it to the front. Maybe not a win, but definitely into the top five. I know I have the drive to win, and I know as a team they have the drive to win. Bringing all that determination and drive together can only help us reach the forefront. Will it be easy? Of course not. The competition at New Egypt is fierce, and with these spec motors, it becomes even more challenging. Driving the big block is somewhat easier due to the additional power, and the cars aren’t as evenly matched.”
2017 is shaping up to be a busy year for Ryan Godown, and on paper, it appears to have the potential to be his most successful year ever. But as in any sport, races and games aren’t won on paper. Luck often plays a role in the success of any race team, and sometimes you have to create your own luck. I do know that there will be no shortage of confidence from the driver or the teams he will be driving for. If everything goes according to plan, this could be a banner year for all involved. The ability to gel from the very beginning will be a crucial factor in their success, and only time will tell if that occurs.
Look for all three of Ryan’s 2017 cars to be on display this weekend at the 2017 Motorsports Show in Oaks, PA.
As always, I can be reached for questions and comments at dirtracefan25@hotmail.com or on Twitter @dirtracefan25