2018 SERIES CHAMPION – Jeremy Doss
Our 2018 Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series Champion is a driver who has been making a name for himself on both the West and East Coasts. At the age of 23, the Upper Lake, CA driver has already earned four touring series titles, which also include two in the Pacific Challenge Series (PCS) as well as a title in the Airport Auto Brokers Legends Series. His 2019 season found him winning the prestigious Alan Kulwicki Driver Development Program, taking home $54,439 for his efforts. The driver is a second-generation racer named Jeremy Doss.
Doss was the 2013 Rookie-of-the-Year in the SRL. He had two championship runner-up finishes in the series before his 2018 championship effort. His 36 career starts have led to nine victories, 25 top-five and 29 top-10’s. His average finish of 5.77 ranks fourth all-time, and his winnings have totaled over $83,000, which is good for sixth. He has now led 651 laps, ranking fifth and has a finishing rate of almost 92%, showing he knows how to make it to the end. But after those two SRL runner-up finishes, the series championship was his primary 2018 goal.
“Winning the SRL Championship in 2018 meant a lot to me, especially after being the bridesmaid twice”, Doss explained. “It was definitely something I wanted to accomplish. The Spears Southwest Tour is one of the toughest series to compete in, so to win a championship in the series is pretty special.”
Doss’ 2018 season was outstanding, for the 19-time winner in the PCS. His SRL effort included three wins, eight top-five’s, 196 laps led with earnings of $33,000 in those nine events. He scored two big wins at the LVMS Bullring and Dirt Track, both paying $10,000-to-win, to go with his season opening victory at Madera Speedway. He also had some huge wins outside the series, proving the strength of the team, and his skill behind the wheel.
“2018 was undoubtedly an amazing year”, Doss recalled. “Our racing program was really able to really hit a stride. We were able to win multiple SRL races, including the season opener at Madera and both $10K-to-win races at the Bullring in Vegas. We were also able to win both the Montana 200 (at Montana Raceway Park) and the Vegas “Senators Cup” for the second time. We capped off the year with the SRL Championship. It was a season that will always be a favorite.”
Despite the strong season, it was not an easy task to bring home the SRL championship. The series averaged 25.9 cars per event in 2018, with 62 drivers competing. Cole Moore won the Rookie-of-the-Year title and 14 cars competed in every event. The competition was extremely stout as usual, with 2015 champion Jacob Gomes barely cracking the top-10 in the championship standings, and former NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion Craig Raudman coming home eighth .
The 2006 SPEARS Southwest Tour Series Champion Eric Schmidt was Doss’ biggest challenger. He won a single race in 2018, but fought it out with Doss at nearly every event. They both had their eyes set on the big prize, and it came down to the final event of the season, to settle the score.
“The SRL is the most competitive series on the West Coast, so trying to one up the rest of the competition is pretty tough in itself”, Doss told the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series. “That year, it was tough to edge out Eric Schmidt all season. We both consistently finished right next to each other, which made it pretty tough to extend our points lead!”
Doss secured the title in that final event, winning at the Bullring, as Schmidt finished right behind him. The event was a microcosm of the season, with Schmidt coming up just short, as Doss did what was needed to secure the title. It was a culmination of his journey from Rookie-of-the-Year to SRL Champion, as well as his maturity as a driver. The progression caught the eye of the SRL’s top brass..
“It is always cool to watch the young drivers enter the series, learn from racing the veterans, and soon compete for wins and championships”, Larry Collins stated. “We take a lot of pride when drivers from our series go to big events around the nation, and are contenders at those events. Jeremy always represents the SRL well when he competes outside the series.”
Doss has always been a highly motivated driver. Part of that motivation evolved by looking up to certain drivers, who have performed well at the top level of the sport, and the SRL. His biggest influences have headed the SRL Series for many years.
“Both Jim Pettit and Derek Thorn have been very influential to me”, Doss admitted. “Their racing careers, and dominance in the SRL series, was certainly motivational. Both are drivers I have looked up to, and have inspired me to follow in their footsteps.”
Doss began the following 2019 season, by competing in the first three events on the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series schedule. But the team made the decision to participate in more events, to allow them to chase the Kulwicki Driver Development Program (KDDP) Championship. He dominated in his Pro Late Model throughout Central California, achieving the accomplishment of a lifetime, as Jeremy asserted.
“I’d have to say winning the KDDP championship is the biggest accomplishment in my career. I believe the program has not only helped my racing career, but enabled me to grow as a person. It got me involved in the community and taught me to give back, which I think is huge. Being able to represent Alan Kulwicki and the Kulwicki Driver Development Program is something I’ll cherish forever!”
The next event, on the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series schedule, is a trip to Roseville, CA. Last year’s event at All American Speedway was a thriller, with the 2020 edition promising to be just as exciting. The “JM Environmental 127 presented by 51 FIFTY LTM.” will take place on May 16th, and will pay a minimum of $7,000-to-win. A $5,000 bonus will be available to any driver who qualifies in the top eight, and elects to start in the back. If that driver wins, they will head home with a $12,000 victory. In addition, John Moore will give each driver who makes the feature race, a “black bad a** cowboy hat, made by Lonestar. It’s a hat that makes you look handsome and sexy at the same time”, commented Moore.
