“... WE HAVE TO GET INTO A RHYTHM, AND I HAVE TO SEE WHAT I HAVE TO DO AND GET IT DONE, AND BE THERE WHEN HE NEEDS ME.” — DALTON BACHMAN
MAKING RACING
A FAMILY BUSINESS Bachmans chase success while going it alone Story and photo Harold Raker for Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports
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n the surface, this new partnership would seemingly face long odds in the quest for checkered flags, despite their considerable success in the past. Kyle Bachman, Selinsgrove Speedway’s all-time wins leader in Pro Stocks with 53, has a new limited late model car and hopes to return to his competitive ways. His son, Dalton, 13, has been a winner in every class of go-karts since he climbed inside a kid kart at age 4. He has left the restricted karts behind and moved into the adult classes this season. Rather than a lack of equipment, the challenge for the Snyder County duo will be their respective pit crews. More specifically, the lack of one.
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APRIL 2022 | INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS
When Kyle tows his familiar yellow No. 99 stock car into Selinsgrove Speedway, or a few other Central Pennsylvania tracks, he will get to work with his pit crew of one — his son, Dalton. Their roles will reverse when the Bachmans pull into Selinsgrove Raceway Park, Seven Stars Speedway (Juniata County) or other karting tracks. Dalton will strap into his new open kart and Kyle will handle pit crew duties. “It’s just him and I, that’s all we have,” said Kyle, while not yet ruling out the possibility of others stepping in to help. He has been blessed with volunteer assistance from one of the best in the business, Gene Yoder, who crews for his son, Andrew. Kyle’s business, Bachman’s Auto Body, Selinsgrove, is one of Yoder’s sponsors.