Rex Widmer is back driving IMCA sport at 34 Raceway’s dirt track
MIDDLETOWN — Rex Widmer just would like to race.
Immediately after a 30-yr hiatus in his racing profession, Widmer is back again driving the wheel of a activity modified racing car.
The 62-calendar year-previous experienced the time of his existence Sunday night time in his first physical appearance at the 3/8-mile oval grime monitor given that 1991.
Widmer completed fifth in the 14-lap IMCA sport modifieds characteristic race through Sunday’s Lucas Oil Late Model clearly show at 34 Raceway.
For Widmer, there was no spot he would relatively be or something else he would somewhat be carrying out than racing.
He is scratching a 30-yr itch.
“I really like it. It’s superior than prescription drugs. It is better than alcohol. There is only a person thing improved than racing. It’s excellent,” Widmer mentioned. “I drove below from 1981-1991. In 1991 I experienced an superb job chance with the Burlington Northern Railroad. I couldn’t go it up and it conflicted with racing. I under no circumstances honestly imagined I would get again into it. I just lately retired and I’m single, so I assumed I’m likely to do what I want to do. I want to race once more.”
Widmer at first was from Burlington, but he now makes his household in Keokuk.
Widmer grew up around some of the area legends in racing. He even raced from some of them just before stepping away from the sport for 30 years. All those exact same legends continue to gas his passion for racing, especially now living in Keokuk, at the time a hotbed of stock car or truck racing.
“I adore racing. I’ve cherished racing due to the fact I was in a diaper,” Widmer stated. “I used to check out Ernie Derr and Don White. Later on on in daily life I arrived out in this article to 34 Raceway and Ron Jackson was the major deal. When I was a very little boy I utilised to get up in the early morning and go sit in Bob Ensminger’s motor vehicle in advance of he at any time obtained out of bed. I just appreciate it.”
Widmer is back again with each other with old pals and spouse and children. It is a restricted-knit group, even 30 yrs just after the very last time he raced competitively. For Widmer, that trumps any complete he might have on any presented evening at any provided observe.
“It’s truly the identical, but it is pretty a work out. These young persons — they are hungry. Hungrier than I am,” Widmer explained. “I’d fairly anyone else acquire the vehicle and wrench on it. I just like driving it. It’s all fantastic. As a issue of reality, the very best part about it is a bunch of previous pals get back collectively. We’ve been owning a ball. It is a superior area to have a superior time with all your pals.”
Widmer is not acquiring too carried absent with his return to racing. At 62, he just isn’t about to jump headlong into a total agenda. He said as soon as, it’s possible twice a 7 days is a good deal to quench his thirst for the activity.
Widmer is just glad to be back again racing, and he is possessing the time of his lifestyle with his old good friends and household, reunited by their enthusiasm for racing and pleasurable.
“I want to race at the time a 7 days, if not two times a 7 days. 3 occasions may possibly be way too a lot. I’m preparing on managing Donnellson, That’s likely to be my main focus. But when I never tear my auto to pieces at Donnellson, I prepare to be out here on Saturday nights,” Widmer reported. “I had a quite excellent evening. I didn’t tear my motor vehicle to parts. We’re likely to have a excellent time. We’re going to drink some beer and have some enjoyable. Even an previous geezer like me can spherical up a handful of followers.”
Matt Levins is a sporting activities reporter for the United states These days Network in Burlington, Iowa, who has protected community sporting activities for 31 several years. Reach him at [email protected]
