SPRINTCAR racing’s “Human Highlight Reel” will have two chances to claim Victorian title glory at Avalon Raceway on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
American Geoff Ensign, who earned the nickname from an announcer at his home track in California, is nominated for the open and 360 titles.
The Californian is one of three drivers — Melbourne’s Brett Milburn and Deniliquin’s Eddie Lumbar are the others — chasing the win in both classes.
Ensign, 24, will drive for Bayswater-based Smith Brothers Motorsport.
He is in a J&J for the open title and a Maxim for the 360 title.
He is also among the 99-strong field for the Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic but “I take it one race at a time and go from there”.
The approach is working. Ensign won the Gold Cup at Hamilton in December and ran third in a 360 All Stars round at Simpson last Saturday.
“I definitely want to get a couple more wins down here, for sure,” Ensign said.
“We won at Hamilton a couple of weeks ago but we want to win a few more races to go home happy.”
Ensign was the first of 16 Americans to nominate for the Classic, staged at Allansford’s Premier Speedway from January 24 to 26.
He won 10 times in the US during 2013, mainly contesting the Civil War series in California. “I bounce around a lot. I drove for four or five different car owners in 2013, non-winged and winged, all different styles,” he said.
“If I ever get an opportunity to commit to someone to run a full series, I’d be happy to do that too.”
Avalon Raceway officials have received 43 nominations for the open title and 25 for the 360 title.
Warrnambool’s Darren Mollenoyux is the reigning open champion while Mitcham’s Matthew Reed will defend his 360 crown.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au