Magic Valley Speedway and Racing for Smiles of the Northwest team up for area youth
by Pauline Calkins (Idaho Racing News)
Twin Falls, ID – Racing for Smiles of the Northwest traveled to Twin Falls to Magic Valley Speedway and met up with honoree, 10 year old, Joe from Filer ID.
Racing for Smiles of the Northwest teams a racing experience with disadvantaged kids from around the area. Honorees are given the opportunity to come out to the track and meet with drivers in the pits, possibly hand out trophies or ride in the pace car.
Joe is not a stranger to the racetrack. Grandma Christine says, “he spends as much time at the track as he can with his dad”, Tony, who drives the number 5 Grand American Modified.
RFSNW president Ron Hayes, Barbara Hayes, and photographer, Brian Calkins, from Idaho Racing News, met up with Joe at his dad’s pit stall. Before taking off to meet some of the drivers Joe got to hang out in dad’s number 5 for a few minutes and get a few pictures snapped.
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series was in town, so Joe met with many of the Late Model drivers; series points leader, John Dillon, as well as Jeff Jefferson, Craig Bell, John Newhouse, Dylan Caldwell, Zan Sharp, Steve Jones, T.J. Woodhall, Dan Buckley, Thane Alderman, John Wong, and Dan Koyle. After the first practice session, Joe was able to catch up with Jonathan Gomez along with track owner/promoter and multiple car owner and driver Eddy McKean.
Joe also met with a couple of drivers from the other classes that were racing. Grand American Modified driver and dad’s competitor, Rick Fowble, and Super Stock driver Daniel Shirley, along with Rosalee Weller, driving a Street stock.
After Joe got his Racing For Smiles t-shirt filled with autographs, he headed to the drivers meeting with dad and fellow drivers and crews.
Throughout the evening you could catch a glimpse of Joe as he raced at the front of the pack riding along in the pace car at the beginning and each restart of every main event. His big grin and waves to the crowd told the story of this day at the races.
Joe was finally able to meet up with Travis Monett who drives the race sponsor “Alternative Maintenance Solutions” car number 88 at the driver introductions before the 100 lap Late Model main event.
To cap off the evening Joe came to the start finish line to pose with the top three finishers in the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, first John Dillon, second Jonathan Gomez and third John Newhouse.
RFSNW president Ron Hayes would like to thank Magic Valley Speedway and all the drivers and crews who made Joe’s day so great. Also a big thanks to ASA (American Speed Association), RMSC for the shirt for Joe, Kodiak Stone, Embroider Me, Premier Construction, Los Banos CA, and Idaho Racing News for making the trip with us.
