Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson began his racing career by helping his father Denny Anderson, (an outstanding dirt late model racer) out on his Late Model team. This ignited a spark that has since exploded.

Every since Lee Anderson began racing Motocross at the age of twelve he knew then on he wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps. A competitive desire ensued and after five years of racing Motocross, Lee began to drive IMCA modified on dirt. Picking up on it quickly Lee won a feature race and earned numerous top 10 finishes racing against stiff competition at Hartford Speedway, and I-96 Speedway both in Western Michigan.

After taking two years off Lee decided to go Pavement racing at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan. The same Berlin Raceway that launched the careers of upper echelon drivers such as Johnny Benson, Jr., Butch Miller, Jack Sprague and Tim Steele. Once again Lee won a feature in his first year driving in the super stock division. Anderson also captured rookie of the year honors. Some of the top local drivers and car owners started taking notice of Lee. He showed a tremendous amount of raw driving talent. He was smooth and most importantly patient. Most younger drivers tend to tear up a lot of equipment. Anderson showed tremendous maturity by keeping it out of the fence as well as finishing races. He ended the season with 12 top 5 finishes in 16 races, and held on for fifth in overall points.

The following year brought a wonderful opportunity for Lee to pursue. He heard that John Benson, Sr. was looking for a driver for his late model. He sent his resume and got the call from "Sr" to come and join the Benson Speed Equipment team. The agreement to drive for Benson Sr. was that you as a driver would have to learn how to build the car from the ground up. So under the supervision of Benson, Lee built the entire car. He had a late start to the 1999 season, but as soon as he got his car out on he track and dialed in Anderson continued to impress. He had a near win, finishing second in a feature that year. Most importantly Anderson received valuable seat time as well as a half season jump on the 2000 season where he would run the full schedule in Benson's Late Model.

2000 brought an extremely successful season behind the wheel of the familiar white and red number 21. In his first full season in the late model division Lee recorded 4 feature wins, as well as 6 fast time qualifier awards, out of 12 starts. He also finished a strong second in points behind veteran multi-time Berlin Raceway champion Randy Sweet.
Yet again Anderson was behind the wheel of the Benson Speed Equipment late model in 2001. The year was a success. Lee recorded two wins, 12 top 5's, 16 top 10's and has received 7 fast time awards in just seventeen races. He also finished in 2nd in points for a second straight year.

Anderson's 2002 season didn't go quite as was planned. Lee drove the Port City house car for owner Harley Boeve. The season was plagued by mechanical problems. The combination showed glimmers of hope throughout the season, but was never a constant threat. Lee recorded one victory and a second place finish to Tony Stewart during the Grand Haven racefest event.

In 2002 Anderson also made his ASA debut at Berlin Raceway driving a car provided by Bud Gebben and his Automotive Promotions team. Anderson started 20th and made it as high as 4th, before settling with a 9th place finish after a last lap tangle with fellow rookie Reed Sorenson.

This seaon, 2003 Anderson ran a limited late model schedule due to lack of sponsorship. The season was plagued with mechanical problems and the car was found to have some chassis issues. The team called it quits without the funds to continue on. However, the final race of the season, the Chet Myslewiec Open Invitational at Berlin Raceway, Harley Boeve of Port City racing wanted to debut a new car with an established driver. He called the services of Lee and they had a successful debut qualifying 6th finishing 3rd in the 50 lap qualifier and finishing 3rd overall in the main event. It gave light to a dreadful season and raised Lee's hopes and confidence for a successful 2004 season.

The 2004 season brought back the results of old. Anderson teamed up with Terry Gentry and his TAG Racing team becoming teamate to multi-time track champion Joe Bush. Anderson had his best season to date. Not only did he collect 2 wins, 12 top 5's and 16 top 10's but he also nailed down fast time 10 times. Anderson never qualified out of the top three all season. He also had a strong 2nd place finish at Columbus in the Main Event finale after qualifying 2nd. A year that would normally be a championship season Anderson finished 2nd to his teamate Joe Bush marking the first time in the history of the Berlin Raceway that teamates finished first and second in the season points