Driver Spotlight: Artie Pedersen III

Artie Pedersen III is a 17 year old U.S. Legend Car racer from Center Moriches N.Y. on Long Island that races for CheckerWon Motorsports in the #51 Legend race car. Artie III started racing at the age of 7 in Karting. He won several races in 2 classes along with two championships for L.I.K.A. (Long Island Karting Assoc.), one of them being the Super Yamaha class (an adult class) at the age of 13 years old. After winning several races and events (local and regional) over his Karting career, CheckerWon Motorsports chose the U.S. Legend Car as the next step in his racing career because it was affordable and he was able to race them at the age of 14. Artie III was runner up last year in the Young Lions class in NY and 23^rd nationally. This season Artie III has 11 top 5's and 13 top 10's out of the 16 races he has competed at in 2014. He is currently 5^th in the Semi - Pro standings in NY and 28^th nationally. Locally he's ranked 4^th at Riverhead Raceway out of 51 drivers (including Adults)who have received points this season in the Legend class so far. Artie III races with his brother /teammate Allan Pedersen at CheckerWon Motorsports who is currently 9^th overall at Riverhead Raceway. His brother Allan also finished  4^th in NY last season.

As Quoted by the famous Bob Finan (P.R. and longtime announcer) from Riverhead Raceway:

"I knew it was a matter of time, the entire Legend Race Car division knew it was a matter of time & deep down Artie III (#51)  knew it was a matter of time before he posted his first career Riverhead Raceway win". Well that time was this past Saturday for the driver of the Sherwin- Williams Paints entry as he not only won his first career race at Riverhead Raceway, but in the process also held off some pretty impressive company in doing so."

On Aug. 30^th 2014 Artie III won his 1^st Legend Feature event at Riverhead Raceway. He has won before at other tracks and has several class wins so far over his Legend career.

Artie III said about the race:

"This one was special because at Riverhead they run all of the classes together and to win is tough, the competition is great."

Artie III has also run his dad's Late Model two times this season and finished 11^th and 7^th. Artie III plans to continue racing Legend Cars and some Late Model racing next year while going to college. Artie III graduated this past June a year early at the age of 17 from Center Moriches High School with 19 college credits and an Advanced Regents Diploma with honors. He wants to become an Automotive Engineer.

Artie III along with his brother Allan "do their homework" in the garage each week preparing for Saturday Night's race.  Artie III is a meticulous note taker and set up master creating set-up sheets that are completed each week. 

Artie III along with the CheckerWon motorsports would like to thank the Crew which consists of his Dad (Artie Jr.), Mom (Erica), Allan Pedersen, Lauren Pedersen, Ron Folden, John Heeg, Chris & Mike Perry, Matt & Tara Busam and his Uncles Scott & Arne Pedersen for their confidence and guidance along the way.  We also want to thank the U.S. Legend Cars Engine Shop and all of our longtime sponsor's, TJ's Heros, Sherwin Williams of Shirley, East End RV, East End Tee's, Sign Design, Soundwaves, Integrity Auto, Fastenal of Bellport, Oval Speed Unlimited, Turf Brothers Inc., Parkline Asphalt Maintenance, Rico's Clothing, and Above All Fence.