DDP RACING HISTORY
Dennis Prunty has been racing for over 18 years! He races along side his two brothers, David and Dale in the Super Late Model division at Slinger Super Speedway each Sunday. The track is conveniently located just up the highway from the Prunty’s Homestead so the Sunday Night Tradition has been a part of their routine for many many years. Like each of the brothers, Dennis also started his racing career by building and racing an Enduro car. After that he was hooked! In 1991, Dennis started racing at Slinger, Kaukauna and Columbus and started strong with a top 10 point finish in the Street Stocks that were then known as the "Slinger Stingers" or Street Stock division. The following year he continued in the same division and had a great season finishing 3rd but his luck did not continue. He had rough years 93-94 and finally sold the car and finished out that season racing in the Slinger Enduro.
In 1995 was a new team for the Late Model ranks, brother David, joined the "elite" Super Late Model division of racing, and Dennis helped launch this new team, late in the season Dennis bought a project car, to get ready for the 1996 season. The following year was the start of some good things as Dennis states "I learned that there is more to racing than the gas pedal, there is a brake pedal too" as Dennis went on to win the most features of any driver at Slinger, and ended the season with the Appleton Auto Wrecking championship at Kaukauna, the richest street stock race in the Midwest. 1997 started with rebuilding the fast 1996 ride and winning several races en route to a 2nd place finish at Slinger.
After mastering the Street Stock it was time to move up to a new kind of racing… the Midwest Modifieds, an IMCA type open wheel car with Hoosier Slicks. Dennis started out slow adapting to these powerful machines, but slowly by midseason was finding his way to the winners circle and claimed 1998 Rookie of the Year honors. The 1999 season started out strong and kept strong, as Dennis won his first championship in the Midwest Modifieds after a season long fight with Florian Wisinski. 2000 was stronger yet as Dennis led early and often to dominate the Modifieds at Slinger, winning by a large margin and winning the championship easily.
In 2001 it was time to move up to the Super Late Model division but was again a transition year. Dennis was top rookie in the Late Model class and Dennis found victory lane in the season ending feature and moved up in the standings.
Dennis continues to be a top contender in the Super Late Model division at Slinger Super Speedway racing on a weekly basis with his older brother David and his younger brother Dale. After an exciting and successful year in 2009 he was so close to the championship he could taste it. It was a tight point race and in the end Dennis finished 2nd in points. Dennis is looking forward to another exciting and challenging season in ’10 with another Champion in sight! One he hopes will not get away from him this time!
In 1995 was a new team for the Late Model ranks, brother David, joined the "elite" Super Late Model division of racing, and Dennis helped launch this new team, late in the season Dennis bought a project car, to get ready for the 1996 season. The following year was the start of some good things as Dennis states "I learned that there is more to racing than the gas pedal, there is a brake pedal too" as Dennis went on to win the most features of any driver at Slinger, and ended the season with the Appleton Auto Wrecking championship at Kaukauna, the richest street stock race in the Midwest. 1997 started with rebuilding the fast 1996 ride and winning several races en route to a 2nd place finish at Slinger.
After mastering the Street Stock it was time to move up to a new kind of racing… the Midwest Modifieds, an IMCA type open wheel car with Hoosier Slicks. Dennis started out slow adapting to these powerful machines, but slowly by midseason was finding his way to the winners circle and claimed 1998 Rookie of the Year honors. The 1999 season started out strong and kept strong, as Dennis won his first championship in the Midwest Modifieds after a season long fight with Florian Wisinski. 2000 was stronger yet as Dennis led early and often to dominate the Modifieds at Slinger, winning by a large margin and winning the championship easily.
In 2001 it was time to move up to the Super Late Model division but was again a transition year. Dennis was top rookie in the Late Model class and Dennis found victory lane in the season ending feature and moved up in the standings.
Dennis continues to be a top contender in the Super Late Model division at Slinger Super Speedway racing on a weekly basis with his older brother David and his younger brother Dale. After an exciting and successful year in 2009 he was so close to the championship he could taste it. It was a tight point race and in the end Dennis finished 2nd in points. Dennis is looking forward to another exciting and challenging season in ’10 with another Champion in sight! One he hopes will not get away from him this time!
Q & A WITH DENNIS PRUNTY
How did you get interested in racing?Started going to the races with my Dad when I was 5. My brother Dan started racing when I was 15.
What do you enjoy most about racing?The way the women throw themselves at me after the races :) and the feeling you get after you win.
Is it easier to race against your brothers or the other competitors? I don’t have to help the competitors fix their cars after we tangle.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you are not racing or working on race cars? Spend time with the children, and their activities.
How many hours a week do you work on race cars to get ready for race day? Too many! Still trying to find a balance.
Who was your role model growing up? Older brother Dan… I always remember the stay off drugs speech and I still have never touched the stuff; I am crazy enough without the influence.
Who is your favorite race car driver today? Kyle Busch, I like his style…
Who was your favorite race car driver growing up? Tony Strupp, Robbie Reiser
What is your favorite food? Steak and potato.
Who is your favorite music artist? Not one in particular... Gary Allan, Alabama, AC/DC, the newer stuff too.
What is your favorite movie? Not one in particular…. Alvin and the Chipmunks, Days of Thunder, Caddy Shack, Happy Gillmore
What is your favorite color?
Blue
If you have a question you would like to ask Dennis, send an email to ddpmotorsports@yahoo.com and we'll get the answer posted here.
