Three-year-old’s signature proves lucky for mini driver
by Pauline Calkins (Idaho Racing News)

Racing for Smiles of the Northwest honored three (almost four) year old Chase at ASA member track, Meridian Speedway on Saturday September 19.

Chase and dad Chris arrived at the speedway and met up with Barbara Hayes, mother of Racing for Smiles president Ron Hayes.

After Chase and dad got signed in and received entrance into the pits, the trio made their way to the pit stall of Ron Hayes who was taking the day off as president of Racing for Smiles and spent the day as a driver. Duties were turned over to LeaAnn Reed the vice president of RFS. Chase, dad Chris, Barbara Hayes, Brianna Hayes, LeaAnn Reed, and photographer Brian Calkins from Idaho Racing News, made their way through the pits to visit with the drivers who had arrived at the track early. 

Chase first met with track co-promoters Al Russell and Adam Nelson.

Each took time to sign his souvenir t-shirt. Adam Nelson asked Chase “what car number he wanted to be”. Chase responded that he “didn’t want to be a car number”, so Adam Nelson gave him the “number” xx and added that to Chase’s shirt after helping him sign his own name. After receiving his own “number”, it was off to meet the drivers. 

There or the weekend and hopped into the No. 76 Legend for the evening. 

were 19 Legends out to race for the Eldon Cahill Memorial. Chase got to meet 14 of them, including Charles McDonald and Jerry Wursten. Both made the tow from Utah. He also met with Sara Henry, Ron Hayes, Cameron Madsen, Rob Collins, Don Milbourn, 14 year old Cameron Cotta, Lloyd Bigler and Patches, and Travis Anderson. 

Before meeting Mark Zirschky and Darin Turpen Chase commented to LeaAnn Reed “they needed to learn how to park”. Both Mark and Darin along with fellow driver Brandon Frazier let Chase sit in their cars and put on their helmets. Darin Turpen let Chase sign his #4 and sealed the luck with “knuckles”. 

Chase also had the opportunity to catch up with local driver Phil Dugan who now drives in the NASCAR Camping World West Series driving the No. 34. Phil was in town f Five of the Late Model Lite drivers took time to greet Chase. After signing Chase’s shirt Rob Powers, the driver of the No. 2, let Chase sign a car hood that will adorn his garage.

This proved to be good luck for Powers who went on to win the Late Model Lite championship later that night. Neal Latham, Lyle Latham, Joe Barton and Kenny Chandler also took turns signing Chase’s Racing for Smiles t-shirt. 

Then it was on to meet the Hornet Drivers. Chase was only able to meet five of them, but Brandon Monson, Tyler Saxton, Mary Johnson, Tony Johns and Karissa Wood all took time to sign Chase’s shirt. 

Next came the Mini Stocks. Del Scott was the first to greet Chase. He signed Chase’s shirt then helped him into his car and into his helmet. John Uhl and John Ellsworth were just arriving but both took time away from their race preparation for a few minutes with Chase. Tyler Burlingame, Jeff Hasson, Everett Meeks, Chris Gillispie Kurt Sanders, Ray Bolinger and Scott Shoecraft all signed Chase’s Shirt and took time for a photo op. Chase sat in Jason Sanders car while Sanders took him through a mock race in which Chase won.

Eddie Ables had Chase sign the hood of his car, which proved to be good luck as Ables won the main event later that evening.

Chase enjoyed all the cars and drivers but he especially enjoyed the Bandoleros. They were just his size. He had met Keegan Myers and Brock Kidd at the start of the day. By the end of the walk through, Russell Housel and Chase Gilbertson had made it to the track.

Chase spent some time inside of both drivers’ cars and even got some radio time on Gilbertson’s race radio.

Chase returned to the track that evening for the races with mom, Nikki, Grandma, Patti, Grandpa Mark and Great Grandma Leslie. 

Chase was on track for the trophy presentations for the trophy dashes and for each of the main events. 

For the Bandoleros main event, Chase came to the flag stand with Super Flash Ian to drop the green flag and start the race. That appeared to be the luck that Chase Gilbertson needed to win the race and take home the trophy. 

Ron Hayes Racing for Smiles of the Northwest, president wants to thank Meridian Speedway and all the drivers and crews for making the day so great for Chase and ASA (American Speed Association), Kodiak Stone, Embroider Me, Premier Construction, Los Banos CA, and Idaho Racing News.