SQJ Taipei

One of the things I really wanted to do with my kids on this trip back to the USA was to go to the races with my dad. Last Sunday we had that chance. We went to I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park. Pappa was excited to go because NASCAR Nextel Cup Superstars Ken Schrader (2nd link) and Kenny Wallace (2nd link) were going to be there that night. Not just in attendance, but actually racing. Carl Edwards was there to watch his brother race, but didn’t race himself.

Schrader has been racing on dirt tracks “since 1900″ - his own words! Wallace has been racing on dirt the last couple years… after Schrader got him hooked.

Fortunately, it didn’t rain… but unfortunately it was COLD. Very COLD. But the racing was awesome and the kids were LOVING IT. I really love dirt track racing and it was cool to see the kids loving it too. It was also funny to see their reaction at how loud and fast the cars were.

We got dirt in our eyes and ears and hair and clothes and that is a big part of the fun, too. They liked having to shout to be heard over the engine noise. They became big “Kenny” fans during the night. Schrader and Wallace each won their heat races, but both finished in the middle of the pack in the features. There are a lot of good drivers (and cars) at this level and it was just too hard to make up ground when starting at the back of the pack. I think Wallace had a problem with his car, but Schrader should have done better.

One interesting thing about these “Kennys” is that they are both from the St. Louis area. Angie is from St. Louis and I’ve grown to LOVE that city and its sports teams and heroes. We no longer have family in that area so we don’t visit much. Our teammates, Chad and Alicia Edwards are from the St. Louis area… and we have many friends from CCF-Truman State who are from St. Louis or who live there now. Anyway… we love St. Louis and we like the Cardinals… and anyone else who likes racing and the Cardinals would probably like this picture of Kenny Wallace’s car… signed by Kenny Wallace.

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