13137042 7 0 4 2 13 7 0 4 2 2-A NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018

JAKE WRAGGE/DAILY NEWS PARKED IN A garage are Late Models belonging to Chase (left) and Robert Osborne of Norfolk. Between the two, the Osbornes have won 30 championships. Racing a passion for Osborne family Last season, son followed dad’s footsteps by winning Late Model title

By SETH MARSHALL straight is the biggest thing.” years old. That can be interesting, he said, For the Osborne family, stock car racing It’s the same for Robert. Knowing who when you must go to school the next day. is more than just fun — it is a family pas- you are racing against is important, they “Most of my friends thought it was pret- sion. said, but it can be a challenge. During any ty cool,” Chase said. “Once I got out of high Robert Osborne, 48, and his son, Chase, one race, 18 to 40 cars compete. school and into college, I found friends who 21, are both Late Model Stock Car racers Every night after work, Robert and loved it.” and Late Model championship winners. Chase will come to the garage and work Robert just kept going since he was 14. Robert has racked up a legion of titles on their cars to make them ready for the He would race every season. But the high- since he started racing when he was 14 next race. They have a pit crew, which they light for him was seeing Chase win his first years old, while Chase started at age 12. credit for their success, even as they close- the first Late Model race. Last year was Chase’s time to shine as he ly check their cars before each run. It happened when Robert and Chase won his first Late Model championship They pay close attention, too, to the were racing at the the former Riviera while racing against a field that included tracks, which can differ a lot. Some have Raceway in Norfolk. Robert was getting his dad. tighter corners or are on a wider incline. into it with another driver. A caution warn- Their garage wall is lined with all their They need to be mindful of the angles and ing went up after a wreck, and Robert trophies they’ve won over the years. Below the track conditions. Otherwise, they say, was placed in the back with eight laps to the trophies sit their cars — Robert’s black Chase (left) and Robert Osborne racing can become a contact sport — some- go. Robert moved all the way through the number 35 car and Chase’s number 14 yel- thing they prefer to avoid. field and placed second, with Chase zipping low car, each with Chevy motors under the Chase was 21 when he won his first cham- “Sometimes there is no way around it,” ahead to take first. hood. pionship and Robert was 21 as well when Chase said. “There is nowhere else to go, “No catching him,” Robert said. “No way Robert has been racing for 36 years he notched his first. and you just end up in it.” I could have gotten to him.” while this will be Chase’s 10th year racing. Chase has been in several wrecks and The future for both Osbornes is differ- “I’ve won 30 championships over the “I race against my dad, but we get along is glad for the many safety precautions he ent. Chase plans to move into SLMR or years in all the different classes,” he said. pretty good,” Chase said. “Whoever wins, takes. Both Chase and Robert wear fire- Super Late Model Racing. That will mean “I started in the Bomber class, the lower we are happy for each other.” proof suits, neck braces and helmets. They he will travel around more from state to class.” Both work to keep calm during their also outfit their cars with durable cages to state. Robert, on the other hand, can see For Chase, this year marks his sixth races. Chase and Robert both say a little protect themselves in a rollover, and they himself slowing down a bit in time. year racing Late Model cars. It took him a prayer before the action begins. But, most pack fire extinguishers. One of these years I’m going to quit,” while to take the crown in the class. importantly, they keep their minds on the In any given race, the Osbornes line Robert said. “Just finally hang her up.” “Last year was my first year winning track when they drive. up against contenders of a broad range of Whenever that happens, the Osborne the championship,” Chase said. “There is a lot of adrenaline,” Chase ages. Chase was one of the youngest in Late family will always have racing as their Robert and Chase shared a proud mo- said. “For me to be successful is to keep my Model cars to race last year. Most racers family outing. Racing and cars will always ment during last year’s championship race. head in the car. Trying to keep your mind are not allowed to race until they turn 14 be an Osborne passion. NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 3-A To couple, racing more than watching cars Visits to an estimated 80 tracks in 10 states have produced lifelong friendships for Kestings

By SYDNEY BRUN-OZUNA the desire to drive a car,” The decision to race, de- When Brad and Shelly Brad said. “I just work on spite the risk, speaks to the Kesting drive up in their them and go watch.” dedication so many racers Chevrolet SUV,it’s not hard Brad started racing go- have to the sport. This dedi- to tell which sport gets their karts shortly after getting cation is echoed in the un- pulses revved up. married but stopped after wavering support of racing Their license plate reads just a few years. from superfans like Brad “GONRACN,” and for good “We started a family, and Shelly. reason: Brad and Shelly that’s probably why I quit,” Family outings at their rarely go a weekend with- he said. Shelly added: “It grandchildren’s school out visiting a racetrack. takes too much time and sports events have taken They have been to about money.” the Kestings away from 80 different racetracks in Not only is it a full-time the track at times lately, but at least 10 states since 2000, commitment, but it can be they find themselves com- and try to go to five or six dangerous. ing back time and again. new tracks every year. Twenty cars driving as Racing is an experience, “We just like enjoying fast as they can around a not just a sport. Shelly ex- DARIN EPPERLY/DAILY NEWS the atmosphere of racing,” dirt track can lead to prob- plained that the most ex- Brad said. BRAD AND SHELLY KESTING of Norfolk have been married for 39 years after lems. People get hurt, roll citing feeling is having a The Kestings have been meeting via racing. over and hit walls while driver who you want to married for 39 years and, driving. They crash their win and cheering while the naturally, they met through call frequently. “We sat even watch a race,” he said. esting people with similar cars, get injured and, in people next to you cheer on racing. Shelly’s dad drove with them three nights in a This isn’t to say Brad and interests to talk to, there’s some cases, have to stop someone else. the car that Brad’s dad racing altogether. row in Iowa, made a friend- Shelly don’t love the races. never a dull moment in rac- “It’s just fun to yell for owned. The Kestings even saw a ship, and it’s a lifelong They can easily describe ing. somebody,” she said. But having one’s entire friendship,” Brad said. the thrill of watching the “It’s addictive,” Brad man get killed in a race in family involved in racing is Racing is more than cars go around and cheer- said. “Once you go quite a Knoxville, Iowa. The Kestings have been not unusual, they said. watching cars circle ing for “your guy,” hoping bit, it gets in your blood.” “It did give me shivers,” in racing for their entire Both have been “track around a track — it’s about he wins. Even with all this excite- Brad said. “To me, those lives and they don’t see that rats” since they were young the people you meet, Brad “In racing, there’s always ment, neither of them has guys are putting their changing. kids watching their fathers said. action,” Brad said. ever been behind the wheel heart out on the line every “We’ll always like racing. race. Not only were both ‘”You can sit and talk With 20 to 30 races a of a stock car. time they buckle into those We grew up together in it,” of their fathers heavily to people all night and not night and plenty of inter- “I really never even had cars.” Brad said. involved in the sport, but both of their brothers, their youngest son, and nephews have all raced. It’s the community as- pect that Brad and Shelly 108 S. Main, Hoskins (402) 565-4283 love the most. They watch HOME COOKED DAILY NOON SPECIALS other sports, but not with as Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.,11 a.m. - 1 a.m. • Wed., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. much frequency or fervor. MONDAY TUESDAY “You go to basketball and football, you have a few 1/2 Price Hamburgers Tacos people you kind of like to & Cheeseburgers associate with, but racing is THURSDAY FRIDAY a family,” Shelly said. $ $ 75¢ Wings 2.00 Beer Bottles o r Cans 1.00 Beers 7-9 p.m. Brad added: “In racing, $ 2.50 Quart Jars $ 5.50 Pitchers Friday Night M ahaska you can talk to 300 people a Bud Light o r Busch Light Bud Light o r Busch Light Specials night. You build friendships from that.” Happy Hour: 5 t o 7 p . m ., Monday-F riday Closed Sundays 137480 137647 The two met a couple 10 Bottling Company years ago whom they still

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COURTESY PHOTO LAST SEASON, Tad Pospisil won the Malvern Bank Super Late Model Series championship; the Gail’s Gold Rush Super Late Model Series championship; the Ne- braska State NASCAR championship; the I-80 Speedway (Greenwood) track championship and the U.S. 30 Speedway (Columbus) track championship. Pospisil at the top of his game Last season, the SLMR driver finished in the top 5 in 35 of 42 races

By AINOA CHACON DE ANZOLA “I got hooked up with a lot bond. He is competitive, too, so ing starts becoming more of a Finding time to be a dad, a hus- of people who really got me in- it works well that we both are,” business than a hobby.The invest- band and a certified public ac- trigued into the dynamics of rac- Jerry said. “The race doesn’t al- ments and marketing involved countant — all the while staying ing,” Pospisil said. “My drive to ways go the way we and we get at are substantial. at the top of Nebraska’s elite dirt- succeed and learn from it made each other a bit, but at the end of Racing is an sport that requires track racing division — makes for me spend the necessary amount the night you know you know we dedication, getting the right con- a tough juggling act. of time on it to be the best I can be. just have to go onto the next race, nections and having people who But that is what 29-year-old It just keeps going from there.” go with the flow.” have faith in you. Tad Pospisil does. His goal this season is to bump No racer will win every race, Pospisil, currently one of the up his numbers. At this point, the but taking the bad things and “I am very grateful for the best dirt-track racers in the Mid- only thing he can hope for is to turning them into something posi- people I’ve gotten help from along west, said it helps to stay humble. win more races, Pospisil said. tive builds character. the way,” Pospisil said. Fortunately, he adds, the tough Pospisil’s passion for racing is It’s also a matter of under- He describes racing as a big competition he faces on the track in his DNA. standing risks. There is danger family in which everyone is will- helps him do that. Following in the tracks of his in racing fast cars, the Pospisils ing to lend a hand — even be- “In this sport, you have to know grandfather, Jerry, and his father, said. Tad recalls friends who, tween contestants. not to be too greedy. One night Shannon, he started racing go- after being severely injured, had you win and the other you don’t karts when he was just 8 years Tad Pospisil to give up racing. Jerry, who passed the passion even finish the race,” the Norfol- old. Tad has been involved in three for the sport onto the next two kan said. “It is such a humbling “I love the competitive na- great pride in Tad. And that’s not accidents where the cars got generations, is thankful for his sport.” ture of it. I’ve been doing it all of just for his racing, but for the way wrecked, but he avoided serious grandson and the community that Last summer, Pospisil shot my life. It is an inherited love, I he leads his busy life. injury. surrounds him and the sport. straight to the top. He won 10 guess,” he said. “I’m so proud of what he has Growing up with a father who “My family is all that way, races and reached the top five 35 As a kid, he admired the accom- done and his accomplishments, races, Pospisil’s wife, Brooke, is they’re great racers but they’re times in the 42 Super Late Model plishments of the elder Pospisils. but it’s his demeanor, how he acts conscious of the dangers. all good people,” Jerry said. “I’m Racing (SLMR) series races he Wanting to be better than them on the track and off the track,” “She and I know that it is a dan- just proud of how they present took part in. and making them feel proud of Jerry said. “He is a good man. gerous sport where we try to be themselves to the community. It took him a lot of hard work him pushed him to be where he He’s not loud-mouthed, he doesn’t as safe as possible, but once you And every parent, every grand- to get there, he said. He is thank- is at now. They taught him that if swear, he’s just a great, great are strapped behind the seat bell, parent is going to say that. But all ful for having been lucky with you don’t strive to win, then what family man.” an accident could happen at any you have to do with Tad and Shan- sponsorship and the people who is the point? The sport, of course, has ce- time,” Tad Pospisil said. “You just non is ask people. They’ll tell you pushed him to make the most of Jerry Pospisil, who owns the mented ties between the men. don’t know when.” the same thing that I’m telling his passion. car his grandson drives, takes “He and I always had a racing At the level Tad competes, rac- you. It’s neat. It really is neat.” NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 5-A Hauser racing goes back to drawing board Special to the Daily News was the fact that he could see the strip and Too much of a good thing sent the Haus- where he was going. er father-and-son racing team back to the “I can actually see the front wheels, drawing board. which I couldn’t do in the front motor car,” In 2012, Scott Hauser suggested his Scott said. “And, I can hear the whine of dad, Robert, that they build a front-engine the super charger. In the front car, all I dragster similar to the one he raced in the could hear was the roar of the headers.” 1970s. Robert was more than excited at the In building the motor, Ken’s Custom prospect of joining forces with his son to started with a BIG M Dart Block, then fit- build a car. ted it with a Callies billet crankshaft and They ordered a basic tubing kit, built a Callies “H” beam rods that are pinned to jig and with a set of blueprints, welded and Diamond pistons. A Crower steel billet roll- assembled a 205-inch front motor dragster er cam is turned by a Milodon Gear Drive. that became a complete success at racing Brodek Aluminum heads hold stainless venues throughout the Midwest. steel valves, which are opened with a Jesel As they logged races and the tuning pro- rocker arm system. A Titan oil pump keeps gressed, the car continued to run quicker, the engine well lubricated. faster — and more dangerous to drive. A Blower Shop intake ties the motor to The car was purposely built with a low an 8-71 roots style blower, which pulls air stance to enhance air flow and give it a through the Enderle “Big & Ugly” injector professional look, but the low stance also hat. The Enderle fuel pump pushes fuel to a made it hard to see past the super charger. set of nozzles in the hat that fog the motor To drive the car, Scott had to look around for cooling purposes, and a second set of nozzles are plumbed directly into the in- the motor to see the strip. And, with the car SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS running the quarter mile in seven seconds take ports. A MSD Pro Mag backed by a — with speeds approaching 200 miles per SCOTT HAUSER launches his dragster off the starting line on the first of two Power Grid controller sends spark to the hour -- Scott said it was time to change to a “shakedown” passes at Thunder Valley Dragway in Marion, S.D., in this Septem- plugs. rear-engine dragster. ber 2017 photo. In background is Brad Hoffman (left) and Robert Hauser (right). Power is sent to the rear tires via a billet The duo went back to the drawing board, converter tied to a Reid two speed trans- studying rear-engine dragsters at national But the reality proved to be a bit differ- To power the car they turned to engine mission. A Mark Williams rear axle relays events and talking to professional engine ent: Building a 275-inch car requires brac- builder Ken Murray of Ken’s Custom Auto- the power to bead locks wrapped with 16- builders who build dragsters for the Top ing placed to keep the chassis sturdy but motive in Winnipeg, Canada, who designed inch Goodyear tires. Dragster class in National Hot Rod Asso- at the same time flexible. The motor in the and built a 540-cubic-inch motor to run on The car is slowed by Wilwood disc ciation. front car is securely bolted to the chassis, menthol alcohol. brakes and two 12 foot RMS drag shoots. Robert also toured the McKinney Rac- the motor in the rear car sits on mounts After two “shake down” passes, Scott But it appears nothing else can stop the ing facility in Lafayette, Ind. McKinney that can be moved forward or backward said the biggest difference he could see be- Hauser racing team when it comes to inge- specializes in building Nitro dragsters and so the weight of the motor can be shifted to tween the front-motor and rear-motor cars nuity. funny car chassis. Representatives there meet track conditions. pointed out how to reinforce the chassis The front-engine car has a hood over the stress points, as well as what needed to be driver compartment and some short side done in the building process to keep the car panels. Fastening these panels was rela- Tom’s Service safe. tively easy. The rear car has a full body. Scott laid out the perimeters for a rear- The body panels, which were built in house, Hometown Service Since 1977 engine dragster. He knew what he wanted had to be designed to flex along with the for engine setback, and how far the rear frame. Many of the body parts are carbon fiber, which were also built in house. Stock Cars • Hot Rods • Drag Racing 24 Hour axle should be from the driver cage. He Pump then calculated the overall wheelbase To add stability at high speeds, the car ATV ’s • Motocross • Tractor Pullers • Gas • Diesel should be 275 inches. The chassis build employs front canard wings with spill • E85 sheet was in place. plates and a 50-inch wing in the rear. The The tubing used to build the chassis was wings apply down pressure at higher AUTHORIZED DEALER supplied by A.E.D Motor Sports Products; speeds, which aids in steering stability and COMPLETE CAR CARE 13761 the chassis design was patterned after the traction. • Automotive Diagnostics & Repair • Tire Sales & Repair • Bulk Fuel Delivery 5 McKinney Corp.’s top fuel dragster. To protect the driver in the event of an Robert thought building this second car engine explosion, NHRA requires a deflec- GIVE US A CALL TODAY! would be “a piece of cake.” tor plate between the engine and driver 402-329-6795 “We had the jig and the experience of cage. The cage hoop is also encased with a Tom & Karen Meyer - 332 East Main, Pierce, NE 68767 building a dragster,” he said. carbon fiber hood for added protection.

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JAKE WRAGGE/DAILY NEWS THE WILKINSONS (from left) Dean, Jason, Kyle and Cameron stand by their respective dirt-track race cars on their farm on the southwest edge of Oakdale. Family racing tradition runs deep Team Wilkinson of Oakdale includes three generations of drivers

By JAY PRAUNER said. “It kind of spooked me and I got [email protected] squirrely and spun out.” Each spring the Wilkinsons get an itch … For Jason, running against his dad and an itch to go fast. kids hasn’t been as bad as he thought it It’s been happing for decades. would be. Dirt-track racing in Northeast Nebraska “I find myself not wanting to ruffle traces back to the early 1960s and you’d be Kyle’s feathers as much, but as for dad, hey, hard pressed to find an extended stretch in its racing and you’re going to make contact which a Wilkinson wasn’t competing. every once in a while,” “There were five of us that kind of got The team, which will primarily run this all started. My brothers - Little Ron, at Off Road Speedway near Norfolk and Gary, Bud - myself, and our cousin Big Boone County Speedway in Albion this sea- Ron.” said 68-year-old Dean Wilkinson of son, now travels in a 2005 Peterbuilt semi Oakdale. that hauls four cars. Dean was the last of the five to start … at “Those rides to and from the track are age 15, 53 years ago. some of the best and worst times depend- This season, he, his son, Jason, and his ing on what happened on the track - but I grandsons, Kyle and Cameron are carry- would want it any other way,” said Kyle, ing on the tradition. who last year won the Street Stock point “It’sa family deal and what more fun can championship at U.S. 30 Speedway in Co- you have?” Wilkinson said. “We’re all in it lumbus. competing against each other, and helping At age 17, Cameron has enjoyed success each other out. We all enjoy it.” at an early age. In his prime, Dean drove to back-to-back “Last year was my best year,” said JAKE WRAGGE/DAILY NEWS point titles at Riviera Raceway in Norfolk Cameron, a junior at Neligh Oakdale High in a 1971 Camero. THE WILKINSONS (from left) Dean, Jason, Kyle and Cameron stand by their School. “I tied for the Hobby Stock points “I remember one championship night respective dirt-track race cars on their farm on the southwest edge of Oakdale. title at Off Road Speedway.” race I was third in points and starting be- Like Kyle, Cameron loves the life-style. hind Jerry Suhr and Don Weyrich. I knew I against the kids,” Dean said. “I really want- other race,” Jason said. “Turns out we were “My dad didn’t push me in it. A lot of peo- couldn’t outrun them but I could stay with ed to go Late Model this year, but it just the first Nebraskan to ever win it, and at them,” Wilkinson said. “About halfway ple think that because of my name I had to didn’t pan out.” that time, came from the furthest back to get into it,” Cameron said. “Once I grew up through the race they tangled up and I took What has panned out, however, is a nice win. I appreciated it a lot more in 2015.” the lead and went on to win.” and got more involved, I knew it was some- career for 44-year-old Jason, who has accu- Now Kyle and Cameron are busy mak- thing I wanted to do.” After taking a short hiatus due the com- mulated 21 track titles. ing names for themselves. mitment to milking cows, the track called “Of course I had been chomping at the “I’m told I was two-weeks-old when I Hopefully, for as long as grandpa has. Dean back. bit to get into a car ever since I was 12,” went to my first race,” said Kyle, a 2014 “I think it’s cool grandpa still races. If he “My sons Jason and Justin wanted to Jason said. “Once I got out of college I de- graduate of Neligh-Oakdale High School. wants to race, he needs to keep doing it,” start racing so we built them each a car cided it was my turn to have some fun and “I don’t think I’ve missed going racing with Cameron said. “He always says he doesn’t and bought an open trailer to haul them in,” I built a car from scratch and been doing it the family since.” know if he’s going to race next year, but we Wilkinson said. “Trouble was, the trailer ever since.” Cameron and Kyle started racing the usually know the answer to that and he’s could hold three cars, so had room for an- In his very first season, in his third race, same season. going to race one way or another.” other one so we built another one and I’ve Jason took the checkered flag. “Riviera had a four-cylinder class that 2018 could be a sentimental one the icon been racing ever since.” “About four years into it, I wasn’t re- you had to be a least 12-years-old,” Jason car No. 52. For the past several seasons, just like the ally winning consistently, so I went out and said. “I think Kyle was 14 and we kind of “This is probably going to be my last old days, there have been multiple Wilkin- bought a more competitive car.” Jason said. fibbed and said Cameron was 12, but he year. We’ll have to see how my health sons at the track. It was more than competitive winning was only 11.” holds up and things,” Dean said. “It will Dean, Jason, and Kyle compete in the the prestigious Boone Super Nationals in Kyle recalled his first race against his be hard to quit. I’ve raced everything that Street Stock division and Cameron runs in 2010 and 2015. dad. had wheels on it. I started in a 1932 Chevy the Hobby Stock division. “I really didn’t realize what I had done “I was taking it easy, still learning the Coupe. Man, I’d give anything to have that “I’m not real crazy about running in 2010. Back then, I thought it was just an- ropes and dad pulled up beside me,” Kyle car back.” NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 7-A Pospisil: Racing is my game Off Road Speedway promoter enjoys sport from several angles

By GRACE GORENFLO racing is — and has been — my hobby. I’ve “The better you can treat the racer, the nomic activity. Almost a half-century ago, Jerry Pospi- done it all, but racing is my game.” more racers you’re going to have and the Owner Kevin Signor, he said, purchased sil zipped around Norfolk’s Riviera race Year-round, Pospisil works to raise more spectators you’re going to have,” the property not so much because he is a track in a classic 1930 Ford Model A Coupe, money from sponsors, and today Off Road Pospisil said. “You just really have to treat race fan but because he knew the commu- getting an initial taste at age 19 for some- has almost 40 local and area businesses them as best as you can possibly treat nity needed just such a venue. thing that has been his passion ever since. sponsoring it. them.” “He decided to build it and it was just Today, now in his 70s, Pospisil runs the He said the race track doesn’t make a lot Off Road, Pospisil said, is a top-notch like ‘Field of Dreams,’ “ Pospisil said. “You Off Road Speedway, the Norfolk track that of money on admissions, so sponsorships race facility. Since it opened three years build it, the people will come.” took over for Riviera when it closed. His pay the bills. ago, he said improvements have been made And come they have. main job as track promoter is to stir that “Racing is done for the fun of it and the each season. On an average Saturday night, Pospisil same sort of passion in others, putting community of it,” he said. “What keeps this The track’s yellow clay was replaced said, 75 cars race — putting 250-300 peo- more than 500 fans in the stands for each race track alive is the sponsors — the peo- with black river dirt, which Pospisil said ple in the pit — with about 500 fans in the race, plus several hundred crew members ple who put the money in this thing. We’re eliminated any dust, making the track fast crowd. and staff in the pit area. always looking for new sponsors.” and smooth. The track was widened to 90 “Even at my age, I have to stay active Pospisil also oversees others who keep feet in the corners and almost 70 feet in the On nights with specials, the crowd grows enough that I cannot stay home,” he said. the track in tip-top shape. It takes a team to straightaways, which he said makes Off and can top 1,000. This season, Off Road “I have to be involved with something, and run the place and keep visitors happy. Road far wider than many other tracks. will host 360 Sprint cars twice; the Super This year, the crew added more dirt, Late models will come once; there will be a more bleachers and put up a scoring tower. Lynn Langenberg memorial, and the Rob- The tower, Pospisil said, is very important. ert Haase memorial will be held toward the end of the season. “We went to transponders, which means the cars are all digitally timed when they Off Road will also have three special go by,” he said. “The scorekeepers just look racing nights, Pospisil said, called “Draw at the sheet to see their finishes; you don’t and Redraw.” At the start of the night, the have to be hand-scoring them and all that. racers will draw for a starting number for We’ve just modernized everything.” the heat race. Later, they will draw again Also new for the coming season: a go- for the feature race. kart track, close to where the cars run. “The fast guys have a lot better chance Now, Pospisil said, the racers are buying of winning more money,” Pospisil said. go-karts for their children to race on Sun- “Those three nights are a bigger pay.” day afternoons. When the season will start, however, Most children who want to switch from usually depends on the weather. Tradition- go-karts to race cars start thinking about ally, Pospisil said, the season starts when it at the age of 15, the promoter said. For it’s warm enough. Off Road had planned many, it’s just natural as they follow in on April 14 for opening night, but, with the their father’s footsteps. recent weather, he doesn’t believe that will Pospisil said there are many families happen. that race together and some who bring up “I’ve got a temperature in my head of 52 to five cars to the track. degrees,” he said. “I don’t know what that “Racing is, in my opinion, the best fam- means but, to me, if it’s 52 degrees outside ily sport that you can get involved with — at 6 o’clock at night, we’re going to go.” from the grandpa to the grandson,” Pospisil The cold doesn’t seem to bother Pospi- said. “It’s just a tight, family sport. I don’t sil and other fans who have the adrenaline know any other sport that’s like that.” rush of racing to warm their hearts. The Beyond its importance to fans, the feeling can even top that among fans of an- speedway helps rev up Norfolk’s economy, other Nebraska sport. too, Pospisil said. At one point, he said, the “That guy plays football, he has 16 Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce cal- games, but it isn’t until the championship culated that $1 turns over in the commu- that he gets that adrenaline,” the promoter nity 10 times. Using that number, Off Road said. “With racing, it’s every ... time you get is responsible for close to $1 million in eco- in that race car.”

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137497 Pierce, NE DARIN EPPERLY/DAILY NEWS JERRY POSPISIL of Norfolk was one of the major players in making Off Road Speedway near Norfolk a reality in 2015. WWW . MACTOOLS . COM NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 8-A

COURTESY PHOTO KYLE PRAUNER of Norfolk is airborne in this June 2017 photo from a United States Modified Touring Series race at Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa. Unfinished business lures driver back Despite costly season-ending crash, Prauner back for more in touring series

By BEN BUCHNAT success came to a screeching said. “They just sit there and kind He said his funding comes After Kyle Prauner flipped his halt. The nasty crash — captured of rumble you when you’re sitting from family, friends and others car again and again in a spec- in photos that live on via the inter- in staging. And then you get on who help out. tacular crash last June at a track net — ended his USMTS season. the track and hit the gas, it goes.” “That’s what’s interesting in Corning, Iowa, he managed to “It seemed like it took forever,” The increased speed and level about it — that you get people that walk away unhurt. Prauner said. “Just wrecking and of competition was another key actually just want to help you,” His car, however, turned into a rolling and banging, it was vio- factor in Prauner returning to Prauner said. “They want to help mass of red, black and blue junk. lent.” USMTS. you go have fun.” It was the kind of thing that The crash destroyed the car “It’s a rush more than any- With the 2018 USMTS season might turn someone away from so severely that Prauner couldn’t thing,” Prauner said. “And that’s starting to pick up, Prauner’s racing for good, if only because even salvage any usable parts kind of probably why we went home life is also about to change such cars costing in the neighbor- from it. back to it to.” in a major way. His second child hood of 15 to 20 thousand dollars. “It was just a pile, literally a pile Prauner heads back into the is due in May. But not Prauner. of stuff,” Prauner said. “I couldn’t touring series with the support “It makes you want to be Prauner had jumped two even piece it out and sell anything of his family. Prauner’s father, home,” Prauner said. classes last season, moving up to make any money back to try Jerry, who raced for over two Prauner said he realizes that from International Motor Con- and move forward because it’s all decades, loved him racing on the his touring racing days are prob- test Association (IMCA) to United bent or broken,” Kyle Prauner USMTS. Prauner’s wife, Nikki, ably limited now, with a growing States Modified Touring Series Prauner returned to Norfolk took a little more convincing. family at home. (USMTS). He knew he was taking to compete in local races, even winning in USMTS is a big chal- “At first last year, she wasn’t “That’s another reason I decid- a big risk. though he said he probably could lenge. Much of his competition real into it cause of all the travel- ed to jump back into it,” Prauner At the start of the season, it have scraped together a car to races full time compared to ing and being away from home,” said. “I only have so much more looked like it was going to be a continue with USMTS. the mostly part-timers he races Prauner said. “But actually she time to do it.” winning gamble. Racing is costly “Kind of went back to my com- against in Norfolk. However, he came back around.” Prauner said once his kids start and the goal is to make enough fort zone,” Prauner said. said staying in the top 10 for most Prauner got the approval from growing older, some of the time money to keep going. In USMTS, Prauner ended up winning half races is a reasonable goal for his his family, but funding his rac- he devotes to racing will be to making the main event typical- the races he competed in Norfolk team. ing operation was still a concern. support them in their extracur- ly earns a driver at least $300. once he came back, but that didn’t “If I could live in the top 10, I Prauner said he gets money to ricular activities. This means that Prauner said he needed to win prove satisfying enough. could profit,” Prauner said. fund his racing from a variety Prauner wouldn’t have the time to $300 a night to keep his racing op- So Prauner decided to come To get to the top 10, Prauner of sponsorships and and selling tour every few weeks on USMTS. eration afloat, and he did so in a back. will be coming back this year to extra parts when needed. “It’s kind of now or never,” string of races. “I just think we left some stuff USMTS with a more powerful “You’re always wondering how Prauner said. “If we want to try “We made them all,” Prauner on the table,” Prauner said. “I and expensive engine. you’re going to come up with and do this, we have to try and do said. ‘It was going very well.” think we can do better.’” “I’ve never experienced any- enough money to keep doing this,” it now because I don’t know how But in Corning, Prauner’s early Prauner said he understands thing quite like that,” Prauner Prauner said. much longer I’ll be able to.” NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 9-A

DENNIS MEYER/DAILY NEWS SPEEDWAY SPECIALIST spring into action after a fire erupted under the hood of Pilger driver Bo Koenig’s Sport Compact car in this July 2017 photo. Misfits the right fit for Speedway Specialists First-hand accident experience inspires man to help race car drivers in need

By MIKE RENNING Hill had experience all over the country Lincoln estimates his crew are gone The remarkable thing about his crew is [email protected] keeping racers safe. “He went all the way three to four nights a week and go to tracks the fact they are all volunteers — not one of In the spirit of making lemonade out of from Indianapolis to Daytona,” Lincoln all over the Midwest. them receives any compensation. lemons, silver linings and glasses half full, said. With all of the technical aspects of being The crew works weekly programs at Bobby Lincoln had an epiphany back in What Lincoln needed to do was develop a Speedway Specialist, Lincoln said the U.S. 30 Speedway and Off Road Speedway 1984. a first-responder group at the track to get reason his crew is so adept at what they do near Norfolk. Lincoln, who was a self-described “ad- drivers out of crashes and to safety as is simple. “I think one of our crew members de- equate” driver at the time, found himself quickly as possible. He gathered two teams “We all have a passion for racing and scribed us the best,” Lincoln said “He said, waiting to be extricated from a mangled of five members and modified a couple of keeping everyone safe,” he said. ‘We’re just a bunch of misfits that fit.’ ” race war. Chevrolet Blazers to be on site at the track. The track where the crash occurred had Each Blazer is equipped to handle almost no emergency responders stationed there any emergency that would occur during during the race, so the action was stopped. the races. Each has 310 pounds of Purple K Lincoln was trapped in the wreck until to help extinguish fires, Jaws of Life equip- emergency personnel arrived some 30 ment, 25 gallons of liquid foam to also help minutes later. with fires and a Kenrick Extrication Board “I remember sitting in the car for what that immobilizes a driver being extricated seemed like forever,” Lincoln said. “My from a race car. dad was leaning over the car, making Speedway Specialists have existed for sure I was all right and I told him that was the past 29 years and members of the crew enough racing, I was done with it.” are from Columbus, Madison, Norfolk, www.bigdaddyracecars.com Lincoln’s father was none other than Deshler and York, along with one member Duane “Abe” Lincoln, who founded US30 from Almena, Kan. Speedway in Columbus the following year. “Most of the guys have been with us for “My dad just said, ‘You love racing too at least 10 years,” Lincoln said. Specializing in stock car and hobby much to just quit,’ and I knew he was right,” Lincoln said the safety factor for rac- Lincoln said. “Racing was and always has ing has improved immensely over the past stock chassis and racing parts been a part of our family.” nearly 30 years, especially in the equip- That’s when the lemonade was made. ment for the drivers and the fuel cells. Lincoln decided to do his part to ensure “The driver’s compartment is the big- no driver had to wait for rescue personnel gest improvement over the past 20 years to arrive after a crash or in an emergency or so,” Lincoln said. “They are buckled in situation. That’s why he started the Speed- there tight, which helps. way Specialists. “Recently, they also beefed up the fuel “This was back in the 1980s, so a lot of cells on the car itself, which helps keep the things in auto racing weren’t as advanced fuel in the cell during a crash. And the suits as they are now,” Lincoln said. “I just the drivers wear are very, very safe.” thought for the love of the sport and the Each member of the Specialists’ team safety of the drivers, something needed to has a fire suit for protection. be done at the track.” “We can actually go into a fire if neces- Lincoln got in touch with Carol “Speedy” sary,” Lincoln said. “If a car does catch on Hill of Omaha. The two would become fire after a crash, we have to be ready to great friends and Hill would become Lin- get in there and get the driver out.” coln’s mentor for the next quarter of a cen- The crew members also have a crash 402-841-4119 or 402-371-1927 tury. simulator that they will take around to Visit us on facebook at Big Daddy Chassis 113666 “He was a remarkable man,” Lincoln local fire departments during the offsea- said. “He showed me exactly what I needed son which lets drivers experience how to www.bigdaddyracecars.com to do and exactly how to do it.” get out of an upside-down car if necessary. 137411 10-A NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018

DARIN EPPERLY/DAILY NEWS SHOWN ABOVE is a Hobby Stock race car, which will be driven by Jim Kimmel at Off Road Speedway on Saturday nights and by his son, Nic, at Boone County Race- way in Albion on Friday nights. Also pictured is a Cage Kart that will be driven this season at Off Road Speedway by Nic’s son, Gage. Father, son share driving duties Three generations of Kimmels eager to race this season

By DENISE MUNOZ ber. Jim and Nic are known for Jim said that during times like Dictionaries define stock car being 17k on the track, mean- these, his friends have shown racing as a form of competition while Gage’s go-kart is the num- they are true family. where cars speed around oval ber 99G. “Family sticks together,” Jim tracks. To the Kimmel family, When Norfolk race fans see said however, the sport means much car number 17k on the track, Jim Jim said racing has changed more. said they have the same question: his life for good. He accepts it can It’s family. “Is that Jim or Nic behind the be an expensive and dangerous Jim Kimmel, a veteran racer wheel?” hobby, but it’s worth it. from Norfolk, has seen many Once the races start, however, “People call it a bad habit, I call changes in the sport. One thing fans who know the family closely it fun,” Jim said. that hasn’t changed, however, is immediately know the answer. Rhonda, who has supported the importance of family in rac- “We may use the same car, but her son’s and husband’s hobby ing. we drive differently,” Jim said. for years, has another way to de- Thirty years ago, when Kim- “Nic is more careful. I’m afraid I scribe stock car racing. mel first picked up racing as a can be quite reckless behind the “Rush hour traffic,” she said. hobby, he made his own car parts. wheel.” “Except cars drive bumper to Three decades later, Jim buys the A few years ago, Jim said he got bumper.” car parts he customizes his stock in an accident. He wasn’t injured, car with. but his car suffered damage. Within the stock car racing cul- The expenses and process of “I knew I was fine,” Jim said. “I ture, each racer has a different preparing a car for a stock race was more worried about the car.” reason for doing it. The Kimmels have certainly changed and so With a totaled car, Jim said he do it for fun, but if there’s a trophy have the people close to him who and Nic still had a race approach- to win, it creates another incen- share his love for the sport. ing and needed a solution to the tive to win. In the past, Jim had his wife problem. “The 4-foot tall trophies, I al- and friends by his side at the “We never miss out on a race,” ways wanted one,” Nic said. “I tracks. Now he has a son and Nic said. “There was no way I was won two back-to-back.” grandson to work on cars, race going to let this stop me from rac- Jim and Nic have won several and bond with. (From left) Jim, Gage and Nic Kimmel ing.” races and championships, but Hobbies like this one can be ex- Luckily, he counted on his fam- they value the memories they pensive, as the Kimmels know all time he gets behind the wheel he car racing terms and he under- ily for help. Jim’s friends, who create more than the recognition too well. To cut back on costs, the will be a true expert, Jim said. stands the culture of stock car are more like family to him, have of winning. To them, the trophies family shares one stock car. Jim Since Gage was in diapers, he’s racing. He even has a go-kart of been there through some of his symbolize pride and memories and his son, Nic, take turns with been around his grandfather and his own. toughest times — on and off of the with family and friends. it. father in the garage and in the “It’s mainly about the kids,” track. Jim and Nic agree that most “We spend what we have,” Jim pits during races. Nic grew up in Rhonda said. “That’s our future of On this particular occasion, in racers value trophies for this rea- said. “Racing was more fun 15 the same environment, but as a racing.” the middle of the week, eight of son. Money comes and goes, so years ago when money wasn’t the teenager. Gage’s go-kart matches the Jim’s friends volunteered to help racers value trophy over money issue, but I’d never give up on rac- “When Nic was growing up, we stock car his father and grandfa- him fix his car. By the end of the prizes. ing. It’s my life.” knew where he was at Friday and ther race. It has the same fluores- week, his car was up and ready. “They drive harder for the tro- Jim’s grandson, Gage, at age Saturday nights,” said Nic’s moth- cent green and blue color scheme “People were amazed at how phy,” Jim said. “They’ll almost six, is still too young to take part er, Rhonda. “He was with us.” and design. fast we finished,” Nic said. “They total their car trying to win the in the stock car races, but by the Gage recognizes most stock The only difference is the num- helped us get it back together.” thing.” NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 11-A Boone County Raceway in Albion Stuart Raceway Boone County Raceway is a ⅜-mile dirt oval in Albion. Classifications of racing include Stuart Raceway is a ¼-mile dirt oval located in the City Park in Stuart and races on Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Sundays. Classifications of racing include IMCA Sport Compact; IMCA Hobby Stock; IMCA Stocks, Sport Compacts every Friday at 8 p.m. Stock Car; IMCA Northern SportMod and Limited Winged Sprint. 2018 SCHEDULE NEW THIS SEASON, FRIDAY, APRIL 13 FRIDAY, JUNE 29 Test and Tune/Show and Shine Regular program/Kids’ Night/Coin Toss ALL RACES START AT 6 P.M. FRIDAY, APRIL 20 THURSDAY, JULY 5 2018 SCHEDULE Regular program Regular program plus Stock Car Shootout and fireworks SATURDAY, MAY 5 Race sponored by Stuart Locker & Live- FRIDAY, APRIL 27 FRIDAY, JULY 6 Stock Car Show 2-5 p.m. stock/Reliable Tax Solutions Regular program No races due to fair Tech, Test, Tune 6-8 p.m. SUNDAY, JULY 1 FRIDAY, MAY 4 TUESDAY, JULY 10 SUNDAY, MAY 20 Regular program plus fireworks spon- Regular program plus Bike Night/Live Fair Races Opening Night sponsored by Schaaf sored by Tri-County Bank/Community Video Streaming WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 Insurance Agency/Central Bar & Grill Wealth Specialists FRIDAY, MAY 11 Fair Races/Second annual Sport Mod SUNDAY, MAY 27 SUNDAY, JULY 8 Regular program plus Mother’s Night Nationals Regular program sponsored by Krot- Regular program sponsored by FRIDAY, MAY 18 FRIDAY, JULY 13 ters Home and Auto Centers Malone’s Auto Body/Someplace Else No races due to graduation No races due to fair Bar SUNDAY, JUNE 3 FRIDAY, MAY 25 FRIDAY, JULY 20 Regular program plus GOTRA cars SUNDAY, JULY 15 Regular program/Veterans Day No races due to Silver Dollar Nationals sponsored by Bushel Basket/Wallinger Regular program sponsored by Stracke FRIDAY, JULY 27 Financial Service Realty/Hwy 20 Storage/Krieger Farms FRIDAY, JUNE 1 Regular program plus Bike Night Regular program plus GOTRA races SUNDAY, JUNE 10 SUNDAY, JULY 22 FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 Regular program sponsored by Cast FRIDAY, JUNE 8 Regular program plus Mechanics Race Regular program plus Midwest Classic sponsored by Shamrock Diesel Repair Iron Bar & Grill Regular program plus Ping Pong Drop Stockcar Association races SUNDAY, JUNE 17 FRIDAY, JUNE 15 FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 SUNDAY, JUNE 29 Regular program sponsored by Central Regular program/Book Bag Night Regular program sponsored by South- Regular program plus Tribute Race Plains Corn Growers Ass. side Mini Mart/Stuart Village Inn sponsored by Dairy Queen FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 FRIDAY, JUNE 22 Championship Night/Fireman & Safety SUNDAY, JUNE 24 SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 Regular program Crew Night Regular program plus Powder Puff Championship Night U.S. 30 Speedway in Columbus U.S. 30 Speedway is a 1-e-mile dirt oval located southwest of Columbus and races on Thursday nights. Classifications of racing include Late Models; IMCA Sport Compact; IMCA Hobby Stock; IMCA Stock Car; IMCA Northern SportMod and Sprint Cars. NO 2018 SCHEDULE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME SAPP BROS. PETROLEUM INC. Propane - Gasoline - Diesel - VP Racing Fuel - Rockett Brand Racing Fuel - DEF - Farm - Commercial - Residential - EXXON MOBIL LUBRICANTS • www.sappbrospetro.com

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www.offroadspeedway.com Email- [email protected] • Admission- Adult - $12 • Ages 7-15- $6 • Ages 6 & Under- Free **Pit passes $25 **Pit passes on special purse nights will be $30 for all classes • Pit Gate Opens At 4:30 • Hot Laps Start At 7:00 • Racing Starts At 7:30

20 1 8 S C HE DUL E APRIL JULY

21 - Regular Race Night 3 - Regular Race Night, Draw/Redraw

28 - Regular Race Night 7 - Regular Race Night (Lynn Langenberg Memorial)

14 - CLOSED (Madison County Fair)

MAY 21 - CLOSED (Silver Dollar Nationals)

5 - Regular Race Night 28 - Regular Race Night (Kids get free rides in a race car)

12 - Regular Race Night plus GOTRA, Draw/Redraw

19 - Regular Race Night AUGUST

26 - Regular Classes + MALVERN BANK SLMR 4 - Regular Race Night

(NO GRAND NATIONAL or SPORT MODS) 11 - Regular Race Night

18 - Regular Race Night plus 360 Sprints (NO GRAND NATIONAL or JUNE HOBBY STOCKS)

2 - Regular Race Night 25 - Regular Race Night

9 - Regular Race Night plus MIDWEST STOCK CARS

16 - Regular Race Night (Bike giveaway) SEPTEMBER

23 - Regular Race + 360 Sprint Cars sponsored by Big Daddy Race Cars 1 - Championship Night (Regular classes)

(NO GRAND NATIONAL or COMPACTS) 8 - Regular Race Night plus GOTRA, Draw/Redraw

30 - Closed (Big Bang Boom) 15 - Closed for Tractor Pull

21 & 2 2 - Bob Haase Memorial Championship, Draw/Redraw **Regular Race Night consists of Late Models,

(OTHER CLASSES TO BE ADDED) ($1000 to win, $200 to start A feature for Memorial Race) IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, (more details to come) IMCA Hobby Stock and IMCA Sport Compacts A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR TRACK SPONSORS 106 Kix Elkhorn Valley Bank Karpet Shop Norfolk Truck Center Scott’s Smoke Shack 93.5 The Hawk Farm Bureau - Scott Race Kevin Curtis Trucking North Central Ag Signor Trucking Inc. Ag & Industrial Engine Machines Farmers Pride Lite Rock Northeast Community College Speedway Auto American Family Insurance GCX Matteo Sand & Gravel O’Reilly Auto Parts Sunny Meadow - Jason Busch Gregg’s ATV McDonalds Osborne Motors Sunset Plaza ASPM Gullicksen Trucking Meisinger Oil Outback Motorsports TCI - Town & Country Insurance Bauer Built Heartland Beverage Mel’s Drive-In Pepsi Co. Teri Medelman Bauer Underground Heritage Financial Messenger Trucking Perkins Restaurant TWD Locksmith Big Country Ford Hiland Dairy Midwest Music Pettitt Plumbing & Heating US 92/94 Rock Big Daddy Racing Hoppe Transfer Morton Buildings Pinnacle Bank Vernon Powell Trucking Burger King Island Supply NAPA Pizza Hut Volkman Plumbing & Heating Canham Maytag Jaeger Seeds Nebraska Harvestore Precision Components Waste Connections Inc. Cookie’s Food Jake’s Bar New Victorian Inn & Suites Razor Chassis WJAG Cornhusker Auto Jerry’s Standard Norfolk Daily News Red 10 RV Sales West Hodson Cornhusker International Jim Morris Trucking Norfolk Diesel Repair Renner Wraps Wetzel & Truex Jewelry Cubby’s J.L.E. Trucking Norfolk GM Richard & Kathryn Boyd Trucking Wolf’s Den D & L Towing Johnson Repair Norfolk Implement Rivera Trucking Dietz Well Jon Langenberg Farms Norfolk Transmission Sapp Bros. Petroleum

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