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Rain clouds don’t deter Racing for Smiles honoree
by Pauline Calkins
Rain clouds, rainbows, and racing highlight the day as the Racing for Smiles of the Northwest honoree, Sam, braved the cold and potential rain to spend the day at Meridian Speedway. Sam and his dad, Bob, arrived at the track and met with Ron Hayes, President of Racing for Smiles. Ron and Barbara Hayes, RFS treasurer presented Sam with a RFS bag filled with souvenir racing items.
While some of the drivers and their crews were arriving, Sam took the opportunity to stop by the snack bar for a quick French fry and Pepsi break.
Sam got to meet with many of the Pepsi Sprintcar drivers, among them Erik Miller, Wyatt King, Kelly Newman, Eric Ransom and Carl Markum. Joe Ransom was replacing the numbers on his car and let Sam help. Josh Allen helped Sam climb behind the wheel of his #1 to see the view from his Pepsi Sprintcar. Victor and Aly Clark spent a few minutes with Sam and brought out Mini Stock driver, son and brother Andrew for a family group photo with Sam. Sam jumped into the cockpit of Johnny “the Jet” Geisler’s track record holding Pepsi Sprint “jet”. On landing, Johnny gave Sam an autographed Johnny the Jet t-shirt. Sam had a nice visit with Doyle Hartman who asked him what his favorite subject was in school, Sam responded that it was science and then told Doyle about his latest project in the world of science.
Sam’s entourage headed down pit “road” and visited with numerous ESI Express ASA Modifieds including Tony Ackerland, Montie Potter, and Kevin Zimmer. He visited a minute with Chris Fenton and got to sit in the #23. Sam stopped briefly for a chat with Jeff Hill. He asked Jeff what his job was and Jeff told him “he was a policeman and he got to drive fast all the time”. Then Sam had a few minutes with Tom Hill and was given a tour of his trailer that originally belonged to NASCAR driver Kurt Busch. Sam got to sit in the lounge area kick back and relax before the start of the big race.
The CWI Truck Driving School Street Stocks brought out a few drivers that met with Sam. Jeffery Meads, Track Champion from Magic Valley Speedway spent a few moments signing Sam Racing for Smiles autograph t-shirt. Daniel Vander Veen and Mickey Lawson took some time from their race prep to spend a minute with Sam. Racing Family, Marv Weaver and Melissa Scott took some time for autographs and pictures; they were later joined by mini stock driver Del Scott.
Hornet Drivers Sharlet Pataro, Collin Parker, Kristal Schon, Mike Fortin, David Tankersley, Brianne Kerr, Brittany VanBuren, Fed Negele, Danny Cannington, and Bob Gilligan all came together for a group photo with Sam. Each took an opportunity to sign Sam’s t-shirt.
Ron Hayes asked Sam what he thought of the day; Sam said it was “cool”.
Later that night Sam and his dad Bob arrived back at the track to watch the races. Sam stood on the flag stand with flagman Dirk and waved the green flag to start the Thunder Dog main event. He came back to the front stretch to award the trophy to the winner after each main event. After the race night was over Sam headed over to the pit area and to the pit box of ESI Express Modifieds winner Shelby Strobel who gave him his trophy as a souvenir.
Ron Hayes would like to thank Kodiak Stone, Meridian Speedway, Premier Construction, Los Banos, CA, Lamb Racing Engines, Boise Spring Works, ASA (American Speed Association), AA Logos, for the shirts and bags, and Brian from Idaho Racing News.