We’re about to rev the engines and introduce you to the newest addition to the HelluvaChevy Team—our Crew and Hauler Driver extraordinaire, Jeffery Sams. Hailing from the great state of Indiana, Jeff’s got his finger on the pulse of racing across North America. And trust me, this guy’s motorsport history is as illustrious as it gets.
Jeff isn’t just some guy off the street who knows how to change a tire; he comes with shared values that run deep in the veins of every true racing family. You know the saying: A family that races together stays together. And goodness knows we love a race family. The introduction to Jeff was made by none other than our esteemed Crew Chief, Dean Bettenson, who’s worked with Jeff many times over the years. Their first introduction? A fateful phone call with Steve Schmidt Competition Engines. Shortly thereafter, Jeff flew to Vegas to assist with engine support on Dean’s Pro Mod—the rest, as they say, is history.
When Dean presented Jeff with the opportunity to join the HelluvaChevy Team, it wasn’t just an offer—it was an invitation to be part of something bigger than just racing. We’re thrilled to have Jeff on board, and it’s not just because he’s going to help us travel over 17,000 miles from race to race. No, Jeff’s in for the ride of his life with a brand-new team, and we’re counting on his vast history and knowledge to help bring HelluvaChevy across the finish line safe and with ultimate performance under the hood.
So, who is this Jeffery Sams, you ask? Jeff’s motorsport journey began as a young lad (many, many years ago) in a drag racing family since the tender age of 7. His career has evolved ever since, from competitor to crew member. Jeff’s resume reads like a racer’s dream: 4 years in motocross, 5 years in street racing shootouts, plus another 4 running Super Street in the Bracket programs. But that’s not all. Following his initial career, Jeff took his knowledge to the track as a professional crew member and driver. He built, tuned, and raced alongside Mr. Pontiac himself—Arnie “the Farmer” Beswick—for 7 years. He followed that up with another 7 years in his “Booty” Hunter Pro Street 2007 GTO (yeah, you can guess what kind of guy Jeff is… haha, Booty!).
From the tales he spins, our Crew Chief Dean and long-time racing rival/friend Darryn O’Conner also had a stint behind the wheel with the Booty Hunter. Since then, Jeff’s been hauling ass and working sales and tech in the racing R&D industry. But hey, Jeff isn’t just about racing. He’s all about family, too. And racing with the family—that’s something we understand very well.
Jeff’s wife of 34 years, Bev, is as lovely as she is kind. She loves racing and continues to travel whenever life’s schedule allows. Jeff and Bev have two wonderful kids who, like mom and dad, developed the need for speed at a very early age. Their oldest boy, Kyle Sams, seems to have tried it all—starting with dirt biking at a young age, then moving on to high school drags, where he won two championships with his 16th birthday present: a 1970 Nova. Kyle’s still living the motorsport life, working with Tony Stewart on Matt Hagen’s Funny Car. Daughter Kaitlyn is no stranger to the track either. She spent her youth in a Junior Dragster and now drives a “bougie” 2006 GTO (her dad’s words, not ours)—speed plus all the automotive luxuries of modern convenience. And she’s a biologist, too. Kind of a hard left turn from motorsports, but still damn worthy.
As the Speed Promotions NPK race season kicks off in early May, the timing for Jeff to join the Reeves Performance Team couldn’t be more perfect. Testing is just a few short weeks away, and we’re eager to see how Jeff handles “our” family dynamic. He’s got the experience, the know-how, and the passion to make a real impact, and we can’t wait to see him in action.
So, ladies and gents, raise your glasses—or your wrenches—to Jeffery Sams. Here’s to burning rubber, crossing finish lines, and making memories with the newest member of the HelluvaChevy Team. Let’s see if Jeff can keep up with our fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled family. Spoiler alert: (no window lickin’ or crayon eating here) We think he’s gonna crush it.
