Musher Tribute - Each year the White Oak Classic Pays Tribute to a musher or person that has contributed greatly to the mushing community. This year's tribute goes to Dr. Jerry Vanek.

Dr. Jerry Vanek has served as a Chief or Trail Veterinarian on some 70 sled dog races since 1992, including multiple times on the Iditarod, Quest, Beargrease, CanAm, Race to the Sky, UP 200, Empire, Apostle Islands, World Championships, and many sprint and dryland races. He has been a race marshal, trail boss, and sprint musher who still drives dogs whenever he can. Dr. Vanek was the veterinarian on the 1993 Mount Vaughn Antarctic Expedition and twice was a veterinarian on the Serum Run '25 from Nenana to Nome.

Dr. Vanek is being honored by this year's race for his unending contributions as a volunteer race vet and his continued efforts to work with and train quality vet staff for races in North america.