It was a special season opener for the Becker family of Aberdeen at Brown County Speedway Friday night.
Not only was Chad Becker starting his 27th season at the local track, his son Kacyn was experiencing his first opening night. The 13-year-old is competing in the Legends division this season.
“I’ve just always wanted to drive one,” said the eighth-grader. “They’ve got them here in Aberdeen and my dad got me one so I can race them.”
It was a special night for the elder Becker to watch his son get his start in the sport.
“It makes me feel kind of old to be honest, but time has a way of getting away from a person,” Becker said of his feelings heading into the racing program. “I’m very excited, though. I’ve kind of been looking forward to this. I knew it would be coming.”
Becker, who competes in the Late Model division, said he was keeping an eye on Kacyn’s equipment more than his own.
“I’m definitely excited for him. Probably more worried about his stuff more than my own right now. We’ll be fine with our own stuff,” Becker said. “We know what we’ve got going on, but just trying to get him where he’s comfortable and competitive, so he stays involved.”
When asked what the best advice was that his dad gave him, Kacyn responded, “Stay clean and stay on your own lane.”
While the younger Becker is currently in a Legends car, Chad said he sees a time when father and son will one day compete against each other in the Late Model division.
“Oh it will end up there before I’m done probably,” Becker said. “My goal is to have him in a Late Model. That’s where I want him, that’s what I like, that’s what I wanted when I was a kid, and that’s what he loves.”
For now, the Beckers plan on enjoying the opportunities that lie ahead this season.
“I’m excited, he’s definitely excited,” Chad said. “Every time he’s gotten out of that car he’s got a big smile, so he’s ready.”
Friday’s show was the earliest start in track history for Brown County Speedway. It definitely had an impact on some of the drivers.
“The most it impacts us is we’re farmers and we’re really busy right now,” said Selby’s Dawson Zabel, “so it’s a pain to try and find time when it’s this early in the year, but we do it and we make the most of it.”
Zabel said opening nights are always kind of interesting.
“It’s always nerve wrecking the first night out,” Zabel said. “The car felt really good, so I couldn’t complain about that.”
Zabel, who is in his ninth season of racing, said a big key is controlling the mental side of the sport.
“The number one thing is just keeping your head down and not letting your emotions get the best of you,” Zabel said. “It’s a very emotional sport.”
The Midwest Modified driver has goals that remain the same each season.
“I’ve always had three goals,” Zabel said, “and it’s to have fun, be the best I can at maintenance, limit DNFs (did not finish), and success will come with that.”
Success came early for Scott Hansen in his first race of the season. The Garden City driver won his heat race in the Midwest Modified division.
“I always say it’s kind of like riding a bike,” Hansen said of racing. “You just jump back on it and go, and things happen.”
Like Zabel, Hansen also farms. He said things panned out so that he was able to attend on opening night.
“I always liked it when it started later because I’m a farmer,” Hansen said, “but it’s too cold to plant right now and a little wet, so it worked out for us.”
Feature winners on the night were Regan Reinke of Lisbon, N.D., in Legends, Trevor Nelson of Warner in Super Stock, Cole Greseth of Harwood, N.D., in Street Stock, Mike Stearns of Aberdeen in Modified, Zabel in Midwest Mod, and Kent Arment of Aberdeen in Late Model.
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