As soon as I arrive at the Oestreich residence, I am greeted and led into a race lover’s paradise! To my right is a garage with a couple of Justin’s Racecars and to my left is another garage with 4 Go Karts and a slot car racetrack the size of my living room! I have to try and contain my excitement, and remind myself that I am here for an interview, not to stick my nose on the glass and drool all over the toys. Read more
As I stood on the inside barrier at Granite City Speedway with my camera, the Mod Fours screamed around the track. The white 00T car slowly worked its way up through traffic. I wondered if the streak would stay alive? As the checkers flew and the dust settled, Keith Thell pulled into the infield and drove his car into victory lane, where it had been parked after all 11 races so far in the 2015 season. That’s right! As he had done for the previous 10 races, Keith hops out of his car, gives the crowd a wave and stands with the checkers flag and his trophy, cracking a half smile for the camera. Read more
The racing had yet to begin, and a few cars were warming up on the track at Granite City Speedway. Brian Reidemann, the flagman, jumped on a four-wheeler and began pushing the tractor tires into place on the inside of turn 1. As he worked his way past me, I watched a blue and white B-Mod use his front bumper to push the tires back into the infield. I could see a huge smile behind the visor of the drivers helmet. After he pushed a couple tires, he flew around and flashed Brian a guilty smile. Brian looked back at the tires and chuckled to himself. Something stood out at this moment to me. These guys are goofballs, and then I saw the writing underneath that Captain America inspired #2 graphic. It read, “THE MENACE”.
It was another wild and crazy Friday night at Granite City Speedway. As everyone tried to keep the sweat dripping off their foreheads out of their eyes to see the amazing racing, on the track the drivers were pushing on each other hard! Read more
Like a jet fighter dive bombing the enemy, a lone dragonfly buzzed past my nose as it collected mosquitos seconds before they could stick me with their blood sucking paraphernalia. It was 80 degrees and I was wearing a coat in order to try and limit my exposure to the blood thirsty parasites. Read more