Jeff Dehanke is an overall great human being. He is a loving husband, an understanding father, and a supportive friend. His beaming personality is easy to find in a crowd of thousands. To be Jeff Dehanke’s friend is to be a very lucky person.

While living in Redford, Michigan, Jeff Dehanke met his wife Pat in ninth grade in 1963. Both Jeff and Pat were born in the Detroit area. While living in Redford, Pat took a bus to work everyday to Southfield, Michigan. He became a very lucky man when he married Pat on December 23, 1967 in Redford. The number on his racecar symbolizes the very date he and Pat wed. On November 12, 1970 their first son, Matt, was born. Dan, their second son, was born September 22, 1974. Dan is driver of the number 8 Monte Carlo.

Jeff then moved up to the Upper Peninsula in 1975 to work for a family member. Shortly after, he began working at Manistique Area Schools where he started in 1979. In early November Jeff retired from the school where he has worked for over twenty years.

Jeff served in Vietnam for three years. He bravely enlisted when he was 17 years of age. After basic training he was sent to Chicago and later Texas. After Texas he was sent overseas where he fought valiantly for his country. Jeff’s courage and amazing heroism are extremely admirable. He is truly an American hero! He would leave his post at the age of 20 after seeing more than most will in their lifetimes.

Jeff has recently begun working at Manistique Public Transportation and has again shown is overall commitment to his work. He is well-liked throughout the entire community by all.

In his very first year of racing Jeff stunned the crowds with his supernatural driving abilities. He quickly turned heads and took home the 2003 Rookie of the Year award at Thunder Valley Raceway. In only the third or fourth race of his first season Jeff would break the 18 second barrier with a time of 17.79 seconds.

In his sophomore 2004 season Jeff finished in 7th place in a much more competitive class than 2003. Jeff made the jump from the Enduro class to a much more competitive Street Stock class.

Jeff has begun plans on engine work that will hopefully allow him to take that extra step up. When asked about the improvements to his car, Jeff frankly stated, “I plan on being competitive next year.”