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The heart and soul of local racing lies in its family legacies, and few families embody this spirit more than the Van Averys. In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Jesse Van Avery Sr. and his son Jesse Jr. open up about their multi-generational racing journey at Galesburg Speedway and beyond.

Jesse Sr. shares how he practically grew up at the track, watching his father race before eventually sliding behind the wheel himself in the mid-90s. Now competing in Street Stocks after years in Late Models, he's currently leading the points championship – a first in his decades-long career. Meanwhile, Jesse Jr. recounts his introduction to racing at 15 when a local racer let him hot lap a front-wheel drive, sparking a passion that has now spanned nearly a decade across multiple racing classes.

The conversation takes a poignant turn as they discuss the recent loss of Adam Van Avery – Jesse's brother and Little Jesse's uncle – a talented driver beloved throughout the Michigan racing community. With gentle humor, they share how Adam was nicknamed "Jeff Gordon" at their race shop because he'd simply "show up on Saturday, put on a helmet, and drive the wheels off the car" while everyone else handled the wrenching. In tribute, all the Van Avery cars now sport purple paint schemes and the number 2, creating a unified "Purple Deuce" team identity.

This weekend features the Adam Van Avery Memorial Race at Galesburg Speedway, offering $2,222 to win plus a mystery position $1,000 bonus from Snyder's Lawn Care. Coinciding with the track's autograph night and backpack giveaway, the event promises to celebrate Adam's memory with the racing community that has embraced the Van Averys as family.

Join us trackside this Saturday as we honor a racing legacy while creating new memories in the sport that binds generations together. The Van Avery story reminds us that in racing, the trophies may collect dust, but the family bonds forged in the pits and on the track last forever.

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