Tanner VanDoren, the 17-year-old rising star in Northeast racing, made an impressive start to the 2025 season at the Short Track Super Series' Sunshine Swing at All Tech Raceway in Florida. VanDoren secured a second-place overall finish in the standings, with all four feature races resulting in top-seven finishes, including two podium appearances.

The young driver credits his success to an intensive off-season training program focused on physical conditioning. "I put a lot of time into myself...going to the gym and all kinds of different stuff that not many drivers know you really need to do until you actually do it," VanDoren explained. This new regimen addressed his tendency to fade late in races during the previous season.

His father, Jason VanDoren, noted that Tanner has always thrived under pressure, which influenced their decision to advance him quickly through racing divisions. "The more pressure put on him, the better he does," Jason explained. The workout routine became particularly important after Tanner struggled physically following his win at Allentown's Indoor Race.

Beyond physical preparation, Tanner maintains a comprehensive approach to racing, handling everything from shock adjustments and setup to car maintenance. His mental game is equally impressive, with the young driver emphasizing the importance of self-belief when competing against established veterans like Matt Sheppard.

For the upcoming season, VanDoren plans to compete full-time at New Egypt Speedway and run the complete Short Track Super Series South Region schedule. Additional plans include participating in Orange County Fair Speedway shows with their big block and select New York races as scheduling and resources permit.

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