I’ve been a fan of auto racing since my dad took us to the races at some small dirt track near Lake Poinsett when I was a little kid. During my two years living in Pierre, I never missed a Sunday night at Oahe Speedway..even tried my hand at it ONCE. A guy I worked with at the Red Owl grocery store talked me into going hav-sies on an old 1949 Ford racer that was well past its prime. The rules were pretty lax back then and even though the safety officials just shook their head in disbelief when we towed this heap up for inspection, they still let us on the track.
I had been pretty confident from watching up in the grandstand that I could outdrive most of those guys..but when it came my turn to line up and actually take the green flag I was scared spitless and finished dead last..so far back that I pulled off before the race ended out of embarrassment. I put my half of the car up for sale the very next week.
After moving back to Sioux Falls, I was a regular at Huset’s Speedway for a while but lost interest when they started fastening those metal awnings atop the open wheel sprint cars and demoted stock cars to peon status.
Linda and my enthusiasm has been peaked again, though, thanks to Craig Hanisch..son-in-law of our good friends, Denny and Joan Graves. Craig began driving demolition derbies when he was a teenager..then graduated to stock cars and recently chalked up the record for most wins by any driver at his home track; I-90 Speedway just outside of Hartford. Several years ago, Craig moved from hobby stock to street stocks and has not only been tearing up the Hartford track but Huset’s too. In fact, just last weekend, he drove his number 45 to victory in the feature race at Huset’s Speedway for the fourth time this season.
After giving up a big lead due to a late race caution, Craig Hanisch managed to fend off all contenders and take the checkered flag.
Another trophy and another kiss from the trophy girls.
Craig’s success behind the wheel has not come without considerable sacrifice. Although he has rounded up several sponsors, it’s still a very expensive sport. He and his lovely wife, Kristin (Denny and Joan’s daughter) have had to pass on many of life’s luxuries so money could be put back into the race car for it to stay competitive . But Kristin has never flinched in support of her guy who she’s known since middle school. She rarely misses a race and other drivers have come to expect and appreciate her appearance on the infield where she passes out cookies, brownies or some other treat she’s baked up for them.
Craig gets congratulations from his number one fan, wife Kristin.
It’s a good thing the feature race ended when it did.
Number 45’s rear tire went flat when he stopped to pick up the winner’s trophy.
Kristen realizes, of course, that this is a very dangerous sport and she worries constantly every time Craig straps himself into the seat, the green flag drops and those big engines roar to life. He’s had his share of accidents too over the years but walked away from most of them. So, Kristin holds her anxiety in check because she also appreciates all the positive things that racing has brought to her family. Their two grown sons, Brandon and Beau, are terrific kids who not only adore their dad but are usually down in the pits getting their hands dirty working on the car helping him to victory or offering consolation in times of defeat.
Racing is in son Beau’s blood too. But as a pit man. Preferring to leave the driving to dad.
Craig Hanisch is a nice guy. Just ask anybody. But his persona does change on race night when it’s all business. His focus is on crossing that finish line first and beating the other guys fair and square. That’s exactly what he did on Sunday night as Kristin, Beau, Denny, Joanie, Linda and I all sat together in one of the VIP booths that my friend, Kevin Kjergaard let us use. As Craig gradually maneuvered from fourth to first we were all screaming at the top of our lungs so loud that people way down in the grandstand were looking back wondering what was going on. When he took the checkered flag and pulled up to victory lane to accept yet another trophy..well, we were all hugging and high fiving.. relishing the moment right along with him.
Later we all went down on the infield to share our joy and congratulations with Craig himself who, by then, had taken off his game face and returned to the modest..and reluctant..hero we know him to be.
Blurry, I know, but Joanie and Denny couldn’t wait to congratulate their son in law, Craig in the pits.
What a great night at the races!
It made me almost wish I could give it another try.
Linda??? Would you mind if I……
Care to see what a street stock race looks and sounds like from Craig’s perspective. Check out this video of him driving Huset’s last season. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YoAYgESa8Y[/youtube]