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o c he t on
r ve
WRITTEN by Jenna Osterlund PHOTOGRAPHY by Hentges Racing
I
f you’ve been at the finish line of a great snowmobile race, you’ve certainly seen Hentges Racing Team fire through first. Owner Nate Hentges has pulled together a young Polaris team that has stacked more championships and awards than most teams do in their entire lifetime. With racers Kody Kamm, Justin Broberg, and a family and team of mechanics and experts behind them, Hentges Racing is a powerhouse that could intimidate any seasoned expert on the track. Nate, Kody and Justin took time off the track this season to answer some questions that help us peer into the ways they continue to be a force out there.
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NATE HENTGES OWNER OF HENTGES RACING
WOT // Nate, how was snowmobiling introduced into your life? NATE // When I was little, we would go up to my Grandparent’s place in Longville, Minnesota, and ride all weekend long. That is where I fell in love with snowmobiling. After, we would come home and keep riding around Shakopee and the snowmobile trail going through Canterbury Park because it was close to where I grew up. WOT // What was the defining moment that sparked your decision to turn this passion for riding into a profession? NATE // When my brother and I both quit racing, my family really backed out of the sport after being involved for so many years. That is when I decided to buy the team out from the rest of my family and continue on. WOT // How did it all begin? NATE // It was a true family event at the beginning. Being with family is what really got us started. I hope to continue the tradition on with my family and be able to watch my kids grow up at the racetrack My family owns a road construction company, so it was natural to have a bit more time in the winter. In 2000, my brother, Jonny, made the transition from motocross to snocross. I started racing snocross the following season, and it really became a full family event. My dad would be driving one semi, my brother Jet the other, Jonny and I racing, Mom feeding the crew, and my sister Krystal even raced a few times. Currently, I am the only one that is involved on a day to day basis, but they all still do get to as many races as they can each season. The live streaming has been great for everyone keeping up to date! WOT // How long have you been racing for? NATE // I’ve been racing for about five years. I shattered my ankle in 2009 and came back for a season, then took over a more managerial role.
MAR 2015
WOT // What are your biggest aspirations for Hentges Racing? NATE // I am always looking to win pro races and championships. That is what drives the entire program. The one thing we have not done and really is on the bucket list is X Games Gold. We are getting close! WOT // What is your biggest personal success in this sport? NATE // We have won a number of races and championships, but the one that means the most is X Games 2014 where we won the Silver with Kody Kamm and the Bronze with Justin Broberg. That is one time where you have to just let the phone ring, texts pile up, and just live in the moment. It was unbelievable! WOT // Wow, your team knows what they’re doing. What qualifications did they have to meet to join? NATE // Everyone’s role is different, but we pride ourselves on professionalism, innovation…and winning races. WOT // How did you find that caliber of racers for your team? NATE // We have been with Polaris for 10 years and worked closer with Tom Rager Jr. and Sr. to put the right pieces in place for Polaris and my program. WOT // What is your favorite part of mentoring these guys? NATE // Watching the young riders like Kody Kamm come from sport class and develop into a champion. That is really fun to be a part of. WOT // What is the most challenging part of mentoring your team? NATE // There are definitely highs and lows with any sport, and you need to learn to be patient. Cherish the highs and persevere through the lows.
NATE // Actually, last season was a phenomenal year with Silver and Bronze at X games, finishing second, Kamm, and fifth, Broberg in the Pro Points Open. Also, claiming two spots on the podium during the first ISOC National Live Telecast Race at Lake Geneva. So we actually kept all personnel and strategies the same. We did not change anything major with the team. This year has not been quite like last year, but these are the lows you need to learn to persevere through and improve from. WOT // What are you most worried about this racing season? NATE // Injuries are always a concern as they change the landscape of the entire program. WOT // How do your racers, Kody & Justin complement each other on the track? NATE // Kody and Justin are great at pushing each other to the next level on the track, and then be able to come back to the trailer between races and talk about different lines and ways to improve for the next round. WOT // What are your goals for Kody & Justin? NATE // Looking for Kody to heal up and get back to winning form, and get Justin on the podium before the season is over. WOT // What is something unique about your race team that makes them stand out from the rest? NATE // We are the driving force for the Polaris Alliance. We develop all the motor packages and chassis parts for the alliance. WOT // Does the team ever get together outside of racing? What do you all like to do together? NATE // It is a bit tough as we are all scattered throughout the country from Minnesota to New York, but we do try to get together at a motocross, supercross or NASCAR race throughout the summer.
WOT // What did you find to work great for your team last season that you’ve carried on to this one?
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KODY KAMM
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CAREER HIGHTLIGHTS 2015 Wheels of Thunder Featured Racer 2012-2013 ISOC Pro Open Rookie of the Year 2012-2013 One of “Fast Five” SnowGoer Magazine’s Best Snowmobile Snocross Racers 2012 Racer of the Year as awarded by SledRacer.com 2012 Winner of the Grand Geneva Pro Open
AGE // 20 BIRTHDAY // Feb. 28, 1994 HOMETOWN // Kenosha, WI TWITTER // @Kody53Kamm
2011-2012 Winner Pro Lite Points Championship 2011-2012 Ten victories of fourteen rounds contested
Kody Kamm has raced #53 to the podium an incredible amount of times for his young age, turning pro at the age kids are just starting high school! Here is some insight into his success: WOT // Kody, how does the feeling of first time you got on a snowmobile compare to the feeling now? KODY // My first time was actually on the wood chips and I had no clue what was going on! Now I feel amazing when I’m on a sled and can make it do whatever I want! WOT // What inspired you to begin racing? KODY // Doug Gust rode snowmobiles in the winter to train for his summer sport. He and my dad have been best friends since elementary school and he wanted me to ride with him…and then I started to race! WOT // When you were younger, what racer did you look up to? KODY // I always looked up to Travis Pastrana when I was little. I didn’t even know what Snocross was until I started riding at age 14. WOT // How long have you been racing snowmobiles for? KODY // I’ve been racing snowmobiles for seven years now. Three years as a pro. WOT // Why race on a Polaris? KODY // Polaris is the fastest sled on the track.
MAR 2015
WOT // What is your unique racing strategy? KODY // Be fast and smooth. WOT // What is your greatest racing strength and weakness? KODY // I’m honestly not sure of either. I always feel that I can do everything better and I’m always working on that. WOT // If you could create your own racing rule, what would it be? KODY // Pit stops like NASCAR. WOT // If you could get rid of one racing rule, what would it be?
WOT // What is your greatest racing accomplishment thus far? KODY // My biggest accomplishment was my win in Deadwood, South Dakota this season. WOT // What does it feel like to win? KODY // Winning is the best thing ever. WOT // What is your ultimate racing goal? KODY // Win a championship. WOT // What do you think is the most important thing to do before each race? KODY // Eat a banana!
KODY // Black flags.
WOT // Do you have any pre-racing rituals?
WOT // What is your favorite track? Why?
KODY // Eating a banana.
KODY // Soaring Eagle was a fun track. I only got to practice, but the track was a lot of fun.
WOT // What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? KODY // Mud trucks.
WOT // What is the most important thing for you to know about the track?
WOT // What makes you a great racer?
KODY // The smooth and fast lines.
KODY // I always give 110% when I’m out on the track.
WOT // What intimidates you most about a track? KODY // Usually nothing…but when it’s rough like Fargo was this year, it’s usually always scary.
WOT // How does it feel to be a part of Hentges Racing? KODY // It’s an honor to be a part of the best Polaris team out there!
WOT // What part of the track do you handle best? KODY // Whoops. WWW.WHEELSOFTHUNDER.NET
PAGE 7
JUSTIN BROBERG
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MAR 2015
CAREER HIGHTLIGHTS 2015 Wheels of Thunder Featured Racer 2012-2013 ISOC Pro Open, 6th place in points overall
AGE // 25
Ten top ten finishes in ISOC Pro Open class
BIRTHDAY // June 6, 1989
2011 Winter X games, 9th place Snocross final
HOMETOWN // North Prairie, WI
2010-2011 8th place overall in ISOC Pro Open
TWITTER // @JustinBroberg168
2010-2011 9th place overall ISOC Pro Stock class 2009-2010 3rd place ovrall, ISOC Semi-Pro Championship
When Justin got his first Kitty Cast snowmobile in kindergarten, he started on his way to championships. Now with twenty years of experience under his belt, an incredible amount of them being pro for his age, he is a top ranked snowmobiler you have to watch! Here’s some insight into how #168 gets it done: WOT // Justin, how does the feeling of first time you got on a snowmobile compare to the feeling now? JUSTIN // Well, the first time I got on a race sled I was 10 years old and it was a Stock 2001 Arctic Cat Fan Sled…now I am 25 and riding a factory Polaris Race Mod, it is a huge difference for sure! This is my 14th season. WOT // What inspired you to begin racing? JUSTIN // My dad was the one who got me started on snowmobiles, and he raced a little bit when I was younger. He wanted me to try it and I was all for the opportunity. WOT // When you were younger, what racer did you look up to? JUSTIN // I think when I was younger, the one racer I looked up to the most was Blair Morgan. That guy changed the world of Snocross! WOT // Why race on a Polaris? JUSTIN // Polaris is an awesome company to be able to work with. Having the best equipment to ride and great people behind the brand is just awesome. MAR 2015
WOT // What is your unique racing strategy? JUSTIN // Well I can’t tell you that because the competition might read this and then they will know! Haha
of the year at Lake Geneva. It has awesome elevation changes and is a huge track. WOT // What is the most important thing for you to know about the track?
WOT // Makes sense! How about your greatest racing strength and weakness?
JUSTIN // I think knowing what lines I’m about to take before I go out to race.
JUSTIN // I’ve been told my greatest strength is being able to find smooth, fast lines throughout a race. A weakness I have from time to time is losing focus on race days when something bad happens, like a crash or mechanical issue.
WOT // What intimidates you most about a track?
WOT // If you could create your own racing rule, what would it be? JUSTIN // The #168 sled always gets the holeshot! WOT // If you could get rid of one racing rule, what would it be? JUSTIN // It would be that black flags (disqualification) don’t exist. WOT // What do you think is the most important thing to do before each race? JUSTIN // Clear my mind and focus on going out, attacking the track, and winning races. WOT // Do you have any pre-racing rituals? JUSTIN // My pre-race ritual is to look to the Man above and ask that He keeps me safe and lets me have fun! WOT // What is your favorite track? Why?
JUSTIN // I don’t get intimidated…just kidding. If anything, it is ice edges that usually form throughout a long final. Sometimes they get really bad. WOT // What part of the track do you handle the best? JUSTIN // I can usually go through the rough sections of the track really well by finding smooth lines. WOT // What are your personal goals for this season? JUSTIN // Pre-season goals for me this year are all about training – getting in the best shape I’ve ever been, and being in the top three every race of the year! WOT // What do you need to keep the same, and what do you need to change to keep improving? JUSTIN // I need to just stay mentally positive. There is a lot that gets changed going in to every weekend, but the biggest thing for me is to stay on top of my fitness game.
JUSTIN // My favorite track is the last race WWW.WHEELSOFTHUNDER.NET
PAGE 9
WOT // What is your greatest racing accomplishment thus far?
WOT // What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing?
JUSTIN // My biggest accomplishment was my 2013-2014 season last year. I took a bronze medal out at X Games, a second place at Lake Geneva National, and finished fifth in the year end points.
JUSTIN // I think that would probably be a toss-up between riding dirt bikes or being in a duck blind with my dog and my buddies.
If you want to keep up with Hentges
WOT // What makes you a great racer?
website at www.hentgesracing.com and
WOT // What does it feel like to win?
JUSTIN // I like to think it’s my personality on and off the track. It’s always pretty much the same. I like to just have fun!
follow their Facebook, Twitter, Youtube
JUSTIN // Winning is probably the most rewarding feeling there is for us as racers because the amount of hard work that goes into this sport is unbelievable. WOT // What is your ultimate racing goal? JUSTIN // My ultimate racing goal is to win as much as I can and have fun doing it. If I’m not having fun, it’s not worth it to me. Life is too short.
PAGE 10
WOT // How does it feel to be a part of Hentges Racing? JUSTIN // It feels awesome to be a part of the Hentges Racing Team. I look at it as an accomplishment being there as a pro racer, because it is one of the best teams on the National Circuit, and there is a great group of people and sponsors behind us.
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Racing’s big wins and behind the machine happenings, be sure to check out their
and Instagram for up to the minute updates. You can even live stream their races if you can’t make it to the track! Be sure to keep an eye on this team, they’re bound to be a snowmobiling legend. //
MAR 2015
motorcycle rally annual bike show, swap meet & big ass biker party
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FOR EVENT DETAILS, BIKE SHOW, VENDOR AND SWAP MEET INFO, GO TO
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WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED by Nicole Erickson
NEWLY FORMED TOP FUEL
HARLEY RACERS ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES WEBSITE
A group of racers and owners in the NHRA Top Fuel Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series have started the Top Fuel Harley Racers Association. Today they launch their website: TopFuelHarleyRacers.com. The Top Fuel Harley Racers Association was formed during the 2014 racing season to encourage racers competing in the NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing series to work together to take the sport of Top Fuel Harley Racing to the next level. Thanks to the support of NHRA, its strong fan base and Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the Top Fuel Harley bikes will be running at four NHRA national event races in the 2015 season, doubling the number MAR 2015
from the 2014 season when they competed at two national events early in the season. The remaining six races for the 10-race tour will be contested at NHRA Divisional events. Team owner Ray Price is one of the people who helped form the Top Fuel Harley Racers Association. “Damian Cownden, Ray Pelrine, Kevin Boyer and I were talking and we wanted to do something to help support the owners, riders and their teams who are so passionate about what they do, while also helping introduce fans to the excitement of Top Fuel Harley racing. We look forward to a successful 2015 season and growing our audience.”
On TopFuelHarleyRacers.com fans can get the latest news on these nitro-powered bikes that go 200mph, find out when the NHRA HarleyDavidson Drag Racing series will be visiting a track near their hometown, learn more about their favorite drivers, scroll through photo galleries and catch up on rider points rankings. The first race of the season for Top Fuel Harley Racers is February 6 – 8 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Teams encourage race fans to visit the pit area in order to get to know them personally and request autographs and pictures with their favorite riders. Top Fuel Harley Racers can also be found on Facebook and Twitter under @ TFRacers.com. //
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PAGE 15
WRITTEN by Jeff Karrow PHOTOGRAPHY by Cricket Prints
ALEXANDRIA, MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 2, 2015—The TLR Cup Pro Championship Series returned to the “high flyin’ half-mile” Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Minnesota for the Winter Spectacular. Friday was Round 2 make-up for the races that were originally scheduled to run at the series opener in Ironwood, Michigan and Saturday included the regularly scheduled Round 6 features. PRO CHAMP
After winning Friday’s late night feature and doing a repeat on Saturday, Cardell Potter took the series points lead from defending points champ Malcolm Chartier. With just six points over Chartier and 66 points ahead of Matt Schulz, currently in third, the last three rounds will be critical in determining who earns the title of 2015 points champ. PAGE 16
Although Schulz got the holeshot on Friday night, Potter made his way around him by the second lap and gradually stretched out his lead until a red flag was thrown after ten. When the race restarted for the final five laps, it was Chartier with the holeshot. Using his speed advantage, Potter once again made a pass to regain the lead and take the checkered. Schulz charged hard behind Chartier but was unable to make the pass and finished third. Nick Van Strydonk and Joey Fjerstad rounded out the top five. Saturday’s feature began nearly the same, with Chartier, arguably the most consistent starter in the series, first off the line and into corner one. Again, Potter’s Ski Doo made quick work of the field and by the end of the 20 lap feature had a seven second lead on the first sled behind him. Mirroring the previous night’s race, Schulz was putting the pressure on Chartier for second place, and with three
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laps to go made the pass for position. In a close competition for the fourth position, Van Strydonk had a slight edge on Dustin Wahl, who rounded out the top five. TLR CUP #2 SUPER MOD 440 FA/LC
Friday night, drivers in the Super Mod 440 class lined up for a ten lap final where the winner would not only get the glory of winning under the lights in front of a full grandstand, but a 2015 Sea-Doo Spark and trailer (sponsored by several local Ski-Doo dealers), and a check from Country Cat for $1,015 as well. The flag left the ice and it was brother’s Jacob and Matt Goede out front and in battle, both driving Polaris Starfire’s. Bradee Mlaskoch pursued in third but the three would finish in that order. MAR 2015
HIGH FLYIN’ HALF-MILE
TLR CUP #4 SUPER MOD 340 FA/LC
The other vintage final that ran Friday night was Super Mod 340. Tom Olson led the first lap but the front runners raced three wide through the corners for most of the five lap final. Bradee Mlaskoch, who finished third in his previous TLR Cup #2 feature got out front and took the win on his Moto-Ski. Kyle Roskoski finished second and Olson rounded out the top three. TLR CUP #5 SUPER STOCK 340 FA/LC
After a restart due to a jump in the TLR Cup #5 feature, Jordan Johnson got out in front of the pack and led until a mechanical failure took him out of the race in lap two. Donnie Fedie was there to pick up the pace and piloted his Arctic Cat to the win, followed by Gregory Bauman and Joshua Miller. MAR 2015
TLR CUP #1 IFSX 340
In a class that almost always guarantees tight racing action, the drivers in TLR Cup #1 lived up to their reputation. Russell Liba was fast off the line but Brent Miller was hot on his tail, as was Matt Goede. By lap three Miller had the lead but Goede remained close and made his pass for the win with two laps to go in the ten lap final. Miller finished second and Christian Gmiterek took third. TLR CUP #3 SUPER STOCK 440 FAN
In the last TLR Cup vintage feature of the weekend, Mitchel Giesking was first through the corners on his Yamaha, with Justin Ernst and Dave Dahl in the mix as well. With the front of the pack mixing it up and swapping positions, it looked like it could be anyone’s race. When the leaders got tangled up going through corners three and four, a red flag was
thrown and not all sleds restarted. Those remaining lined up in staggered order to dice it out for the last two laps of the race but ultimately Donnie Fedie got the win, his second of the day, with Chuck Poirier and Dave Dahl rounding out the top three. Next on the TLR Cup Pro Championship Series schedule is Round 7 at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wisconsin. With races scheduled Sunday, February 8 only, there’s no reason not to check out this new venue and keep up with the points chase in person! For more information visit www.tlrcup.com. // 
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YLE
BY BILLY BO
\\ SAVED BY THE BELL, LUCK AND HUMAN INTUITION // In my previous “day job” I was an the terrorist act appeared to be well Too many of our American businesses, instructor of Safety and Security programs planned, as for our knife wielding Jihadist public places of enjoyment, sporting specifically geared towards industries it looks more spontaneous. Either way the events and malls are an everyday risk when that were a risk for natural, catastrophic alerts, alarms or verbal warnings were not it comes to the act of terror by people that or manmade disasters. Due to the nature in place to notify the unsuspecting victims hate us just because we are Americans. We of their business many of these industries of a serious threat. What would you do if in the Midwest region think that we are have routinely conducted emergency you were in a threatening situation? removed from being one of those terrorist drills related to weather, fire and active targets because we are not a New York, shooter. Do you remember being a kid and Part of my role as the safety and security Boston, Chicago or Los Angeles. If you having that loud fire alarm ring out as we instructor at well populated and targeted are thinking that way then think about exited the building? Or the siren that was places of business was to look for this, one of the biggest Malls in the USA screaming like a cop car in the 1960’s of unsecured doors, wander in secured areas sports the word Mall of America across an impending tornado or high wind alert. and test the emergency notification system. the front, back and side of the building. Both alarms were a telltale audible sign of At one Twin Cities company that is known As much as I like to take an afternoon at either to exit the building quickly or find by two letters of the alphabet I wanted to the MOA and enjoy the sites, I find myself shelter within the facility. The emergency see how vulnerable a company of their watching everyone that passes me by. I alarm system has been existed in our size and status was. I walked around the cannot help to think about the massacre society for decades, in school, work, public parking area with a clip board like I was at the West Gate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya by places and the community. We are human checking things off, hoisted myself up a group of Somali’s fighting for Al Shabab beings tuned into certain sounds that we through the loading dock and proceeded that left 67 dead and over 170 wounded. know danger is near. Danger comes in a to chat away with the 2nd shift about the The siege lasted 4 days before the Mall was variety of ways we are familiar with, but Minnesota Wild. Not one person asked me stormed by a large contingent of Kenyan what about the human side of danger, the for an ID or what I was doing. I walked police and troops killing all 15 terrorist. through the warehouse that stored quite Ironically two of the killers were teenagers active shooter? a bit of chemicals and randomly left from Minneapolis. Yup, raised right here Recently we watched in horror as two self envelopes up and down the aisles. in good old land of 10000 lakes. - proclaimed terrorist decided that they could make a statement and execute twelve The next morning when I opened up the The Twin Cities has one of the largest well known cartoonists for making light Safety and Security class I simply asked the Somali communities in the world, with of political and religious groups. The staff question, how secure is your workplace? around 35,000 residents and there at Charlie Hobdo did not have any time to Of course the answer was “this is the most are fears that Al Shabab has been seek shelter, exit the building or combat the secure site at our company”. I answered it actively recruiting from the community. brutal attackers. Even the Policeman that this way, “what if I told you I freely walked WCCO-TV reported that one recruit, responded to the scene by way of bicycle was through this secured building last night Dahir Gure, who has since been killed, wounded and executed on the city sidewalk like I owned it”. If looks could kill I would said: ‘This is the real Disneyland. You have been a dead man. It was now time for have to join us.’ Minneapolis FBI agent outside the magazine headquarters. a field trip up aisle number one I pulled out told WCCO: ‘It is troubling, because it Closer to home in Utah we saw a hard an envelope from the rack of flammable 55 uses the medium of video to romanticize working Grandma beheaded at her place of gallon drums, the word BOOM was neatly what it is to go to Somalia and fight. And work by a fanatic Jihadist that once called written across the front. We made our way it’s appealing, unfortunately, to some himself an American. The saving grace was to the back of this highly secured lab area young men here in Minneapolis.’ More the Chief Executive Officer; Mark Vaughan and another envelope appeared with the than 40 young Somalis from Minnesota a modern day gun carrying “Rifleman” had word ANTHRAX. The point of the story is are known to have left their homes to join minimized the blood shed by taking out this if I could walk unchallenged in facility Al Shabab in Africa. Two of the 40 had the religious nutcase downing him with of this caliber so can the undesirables. become human bombs combining to kill shots. In the case the French cartoonist over 60 people in separate incidents. The PAGE 20
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question of the West gate Mall attack was that a practice session for an attack on the MOA? I hope not!!!
the flight training instructors, he wanted to learn how to take off. WOW!
Materials itemized when he was arrested included a laptop computer, two knives and flight manuals pertaining to Boeing’s 747 aircraft, a flight simulator computer program, fighting gloves and shin guards, and a computer disk with information about crop dusting. Minnesota FBI were concerned his requested flight training had violent intentions, the Minnesota bureau tried to get permission to search his laptop, but they were turned down. FBI agent Coleen Rowley made My intention is not to throw a scare into an explicit request for permission to the normal life we lead in the Midwest but search Moussaoui’s personal rooms. This my Boiling Point is this we have one of request was denied by her superior and the most notorious states where known, later rejected based on this bastard’s suspected or potential future terrorist are constitutional right. We could have calling home. If you can think back to learned a lot by interrogating him as a 2001, a suspected terrorist by the name suspected terrorist and round the clock of Zacarias Moussaoui was arrested on surveillance. Moussaoui was a frequent August 16th (my birthday) by the FBI and visitor to the local mosque in Minneapolis charged with an immigration violation. He and coincidentally visited the same aroused suspicion over his flight training mosque in Utah where our grandma courses that he took in Eagan, Minnesota beheading Jihadist was a member. at a leased flight simulator. According to In addition to our landmarked mall we are also home to Headquarters of Target, Best Buy, Honeywell, 3M, General Mills, Pillsbury and CHS to name a few of the many. A cyber-attack, sabotage or a violent act terror on any one of these businesses could cripple the safety of the Minnesotans that work or live in that area. An event like the one in Paris could have big impact on the financial security of these American Corporations.
RUBBER TRACK CONVERSIONS
My second BOILING POINT if we took this guy down on August 16th, 2001 life as we all know it would be a hell of a lot different. I like many airline and airline support companies lost their livelihood after the September 11th, 2001 attack, some lost their jobs quickly others held on until their number came up. From that demographic group, lives were lost, lives were taken, families were broken, homes foreclosed on and that American dream dwindled slowly away. The alarms, alerts and warnings I spoke about in the beginning of this article is this, if the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you feel threatened, you don’t have that warm fuzzy feeling while shopping, your co-worker is talking like a fanatic or your neighbor is a suspicious character. That is the internal alarm that God gave us, when we sense danger, do something about it. If we did something about Zacarias Moussaoui when all the bells, whistles and flashing lights had the attention of the FBI we all would have a better life. //
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hen you transform your image, you transform your business. Gary Glasscock took the risk of transforming his entire life in 1991 when he left the Fortune 500 world to build a business with his wife, Amy, and their three daughters. There was a small sticker shop in Osseo, Minnesota, that was for sale years ago. Gary jumped in, purchased it, and revamped it into a full-fledged, 3M certified graphic installation operation that designs, produces, installs and removes nearly anything, anywhere.
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The family saw an open door with the trucking industry, realizing that the blank canvas of a truck was a prime advertising opportunity. Transport Graphics planted their core business with the trucking industry, and have since grown clients from various business backgrounds ranging from your dental office waiting room to the vehicle that brought you there. Their home base is in Ironwood, Minnesota, but their art travels to any highway, dirt track, or building that wants to effectively convey and market the business they take pride in. It’s obvious that the smart way to advertise is to reach the most people with the best bang for your buck. Transport Graphics knows that continuous studies rank mobile media as the best way to advertise, not only because of reach and cost, but because it is so influential. In fact, studies have also shown fleet graphics are more memorable and impressionable than billboard graphics that cost exponentially more! The owners and operators who make the trucking industry happen don’t even have to make an appointment when they realize the MAR 2015
significant improvement Transport Graphics ad campaigns. Transport Graphics makes can provide them. It doesn’t matter if you sure your canvas is a clean, blank slate for a want a full color wrap, three dimensional long lasting graphic with their removal and chromed diamond plate lettering, or simply a disposal services. Graphics are installed in a one color kit. All it takes is a quick phone call 13,000 square foot heated shop, ensuring the and the exceptional designers at Transport perfect conditions for the perfect product. Graphics will be ready to collaborate with Transport Graphics overlaminates their you to give your business the flair it deserves. graphics with the most trusted product in the graphic industry, UV protective film A first impression is the most influential worked in every recess and every inch. No moment you can make, and sixteen million short cuts are taken. If it’s not convenient impressions per year can be quite influential for you to head over to their headquarters on your business’ success. That’s how many or you want to transform your work hits vehicle wraps can provide per year. And environment, they have mobile installation let’s be real, you’re probably going to have capabilities that bring the best straight to more faith in a business that invests and you. You can compare their products and takes pride in its image. Gary doesn’t take results anywhere and see that they are the this empowerment of your business lightly, top in the industry! subcontracts no step of the process out, and runs his business alongside only 3M certified Make sure you head over to Transport installers and top notch designers that have Graphics in Osseo, Minnesota the next extensively trained and proven precision time you want to show the world what your to earn their titles. The high caliber image business is all about. You can check out that comes from a conglomerate of yours, more details on what they do and see more theirs, and advertising agency’s artistic eyes, of their work at transport-graphics.com! // are seen in the same utmost quality on both your local landscaping truck to nationwide WWW.WHEELSOFTHUNDER.NET PAGE 23
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PHOTOGRAPHY by Nicole Erickson
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FASTEST GROWING BEVERAGE BRAND TO BE FEATURED AS ASSOCIATE SPONSOR DURING 2015 DRAG RACING SEASON
SPARKLING ICE JOINS THE
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SEATTLE, WA (FEBRUARY 5, 2015) – Pritchett began drag racing at the young Classic Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Sparkling ICE®, part of the Talking Rain® age of 8 years-old, winning 37 events Raspberry Lemonade, Lemonade with Tea, Beverage Company portfolio, announced in her Jr. Dragster. She went on to race Peach Lemonade and Mango Lemonade. today its support of Dote Racing Top Fuel Nostalgia Funny Car, winning one event New in 2015 are Sparkling ICE Teas, Dragster, Leah Pritchett. Sparkling ICE and setting a record as the first driver to which include Raspberry Tea, Lemon will be featured as an associate sponsor break 250 mph in that class. Her success Tea, and Peach Tea flavors. Sparkling throughout the 2015 NHRA Drag Racing continued in Pro Mod, where she won ICE can be found in retailers nationwide. season and as primary sponsor on the car at three national events. Sparkling ICE is part of the Talking Rain Maple Grove Raceway on October 2-4, 2015. family of beverages, and retails for $1.19In addition to her accomplishments $1.29. To locate Sparking ICE visit www. Additionally, Sparkling ICE and Pritchett on the track, Pritchett is involved in sparklingice.com. will collaborate on custom Sparkling various charitable endeavors including ICE driver and crew uniforms as well as Girls Nite In International, Bowling for promotional items such as co-branded Reilly’s Children’s Hospital and Speedway ABOUT DOTE RACING apparel, autographed merchandise and Children’s Charity. tickets. Sparkling ICE, the fastest-growing The Dote Family, a three generation race beverage brand in the U.S., will also team, started competing in the mid 80’s support Pritchett and the Dote Racing ABOUT SPARKLING with Lynn & Sue purchasing a 1951 Henry team with Sparkling ICE beverages ICE BEVERAGES J drag car. Mike Dote, Lynn & Sue’s son, throughout the 2015 season. and his wife, Connie, soon followed in Sparkling ICE has made a great tasting, his parent’s footsteps. Mike, Connie and “We are thrilled to announce Sparkling refreshing, zero-calorie beverage Perfectly daughters, Camie and Joanna, began ICE’s support of Dote Racing and Possible™. Combining naturally flavored competing weekly. After fulfilling their Leah Pritchett. The team’s philosophy mountain spring water, fruit juice, bracket racing goals and building great aligns with Sparkling ICE’s bold spirit vitamins and antioxidants, Sparkling ICE family memories, the team decided to take and adventurous nature, making this offers a bold, flavored, lightly-carbonated their passion to the next level. In 2009 the relationship a natural fit,” said Talking beverage that appeals to all age groups. Dote’s purchased a top fuel team and have Rain President and CEO Kevin Klock. Available in eleven refreshing flavors: enjoyed competing to date. // Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, Pink Pritchett finished the 2014 season on a Grapefruit, Kiwi Strawberry, Coconut strong note. At the Toyota Nationals in Pineapple, Pomegranate Blueberry, Las Vegas, she ran a career best 3.775 Peach Nectarine, Lemon Lime, Crisp elapsed time at 319.29 mph, placing her Apple and new in 2014 Cherry Limeade in the #6 qualifying spot and positioning and Strawberry Watermelon. Sparkling her for the semi-finals. ICE Lemonades ®, launched in 2013, are available in six refreshing flavors: MAR 2015
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PHOTOGRAPHY by Jennifer Bridges
MIDWEST ICE RACING ( MIRA ) A FAST-GROWING MOTORCYLE AND ATV ICE RACING SERIES February 21st is race #6 of the series hosted by Barkers Island Inn and sponsored by Thundersports Performance. This race is expected to be the largest of all races. Now in our 3rd season of competition the rider counts have been huge due to the quality of the event and the large cash payouts. We have been averaging nearly 200 rider entries and with races starting at 11 am the program must move quickly. We are a non profit organization and give as much back to the racers as possible. We feel if a young rider can make it to our event and places well he deserves some cash back to get him home. We believe this is a big part of what draws people to run our series. Tracks are TT style with fast straightaways, big sweeps and tight 90 degree turns averaging one mile in length. //
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WRITTEN by Nicole Erickson PHOTOGRAPHY by Mark J. Rebilas
WRITTEN by Nicole Erickson
BVR READY TO GO FOR 2015
FOLLOWING CHANGES DURING THE OFF-SEASON
T
he 2015 season brings several changes for Bob Vandergriff Racing. BVR will be racing two, fulltime Top Fuel dragsters in the NHRA Mello Yello Season, with a three-time Top Fuel Champion piloting one car and a Top Fuel rookie in the other. Drag Racing Veteran, Larry Dixon, will be driving the C&J Energy Services/Tiger dragster with Mike Guger as crew chief. Driving the C&J Energy Services Dragster will be 28-time NHRA event winner, Dave Connolly, with Kurt Elliott as the crew chief.
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Dixon is doing double-duty at BVR as a driver and General Manager. He is taking the extra work in stride and is ready for the first race. “I’m excited to race at the Winternationals. It’s been a few years since I’ve raced a full season. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Bob Vandergriff Racing team. I think we really have a horse in the race this season.” This will be Dave Connolly’s very first race behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster. He recently earned his Top Fuel license with an impressive 3.76 pass. While he is new, he is very confident in his team and his car. “I want to win every time I sit in the car. Bob Vandergriff has done a very good job of putting the right people in the right place, so I don’t want to sell ourselves short just because of a lack of experience. Anything can happen come Sunday.” 2015 is also the first year of a new “technical alliance” formed between BVR and Don Schumacher Racing. Crew chief Kurt Elliott said this has been great for the team. “We all have a good relationship. Many of the crew chiefs at DSR are personal friends MAR 2015
of mine, but everyone over there has been Needless to say, all the changes in the last great. At this point we just buy parts from few months has meant lots of overtime. them, but they’ve also been very helpful in “It’s been a very busy, even more than streamlining the transition from our old normal, off season,” said Elliott. “Not only have we had to prepare two cars with new parts to their new ones.” and different parts - we’ve had to move Dixon’s crew chief, Mike Guger, added our shop, we ran in West Palm Beach in his praise for this new arrangement. “You December to get Dave some seat time and have to remember, DSR has never done then went to West Palm Beach again in anything like this before, supplying a January to test with both cars.” customer with all of these parts. It could not have gone any smoother.” The 2015 NHRA Circle K Winternationals gets underway Friday, with the first round For Guger, this will be the first time he has of Nitro qualifying at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. been in charge of a car for all 24 events. Larry Dixon will also be speaking at the His to-do-list the past few months has NHRA Museum “Night of Champions” at been very long. “We had to prepare for the 6:00 p.m. on Friday night, plus, both Dixon long haul and that involved gathering all and Connolly will be signing autographs the parts and people,” said Guger. “On top for fans in the NHRA Top Eliminator Club of all that we switched to the 6-disc clutch on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. // for this season and it is way more involved that just adding another disc and floater to the package.” Joining the BVR team as an assistant crew chief is Joe Barlam. After Al-Anabi Racing North American operations pulled it’s funding, Barlam became available and BVR welcomed him to the team. WWW.WHEELSOFTHUNDER.NET
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Hello Wheels of Thunder fans! Great to be back with you as I’m still loving the excitement whipped up by the Red Bull racers who rolled in through St. Paul and TV’s big hit with X-Games excitement. Not a ton of snow in the Metro this winter but I know you’re having a great time outdoors and throughout the region. Here at GameON! , we’re delighted to be one of the only TV shows to focus on the vast popularity of motor sports in our region. In this issue of Wheels of Thunder you’ll find unique stories, pictures and sponsor information that underscores the excitement around motorsports! Just like Wheels of Thunder, GameON! TV continues to grow & reach so many of you with our sports programming. We broadcast in the Twin Cities on FOX’s MY29 and in the Dakota’s and western Minnesota via MidCo Sports Network. If you watch you know that GameON! loves sports, from the variety of professional, college & high school sports to all the outdoor events that dot our regional landscape. GameON’s partnership with Wheels of Thunder is strong and just like you, we also enjoy the most comprehensive race magazine and website to be found! Wheels of Thunder magazine gets it and gets you the latest information, amazing pictures and all those terrific stories to the most passionate motorsports fans in the country! GameON! offers the region a diverse and entertaining half hour of TV as we bring you the most visible and popular Minnesota sports figures. From the upcoming baseball season with your new look Twins, to the busy off season for the NFL Vikings , the NBA Timberwolves to the NHL Wild, we also visit with the Lacrosse Swarm and Soccer United FC. There’s NASCAR and we’re on top of your favorite drivers too. Each and every week GameON! comes to you in crystal clear full High Definition and our first APP (it’s free to for Apple & Android phones) is available
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for your use! GameON! TV is now offering a weekly PODCAST available @ our show website www.GameOnTvMN.com. Just like Wheels of Thunder, we’re full of bits and pieces of sports from the region and what’s ahead on our weekly TV show. Just so you know, Wheels of Thunder AND Our GameON! TV show are interactive so we’d love to hear from you! Please visit our Facebook site (friend us @ GameON on facebook), our website @ www.gameontvmn.com and 24/7on twitter #gameontvmn. So join us for all that sports offers us here in our great neck of the woods, via Wheels of Thunder, GameON! and GO96.3FM radio! And get your Vikings fix with our partner in one of the largest Vikings fan websites in the world, www.PurplePride.org. So, get outdoors before spring comes, stay safe and be a part of all the excitement from Wheels of Thunder and Keep your GameON!
MAR 2015
WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED by Nicole Erickson
ROOKIE RIDER TAKES
HOME THE WALLY AT HIS FRIST EVER RACE
The first NHRA Top Fuel Harley win for qualified on Damian’s bike a year and a 2015 goes to Damian Cownden Racing half ago to get my license, and then hadn’t with new his new rider, Len Darnell. ridden on it since this weekend.” Darnell defeated Joey Sternotti in the final round of the NHRA Winternationals this This was also the first time Cownden was past weekend with a 6.822 E.T./174 mph on the sidelines as the owner, watching Darnell ride his bike. to Sternotti’s 9.890 E.T./91.09 mph. This is Darnell’s first time on the Cownden “It was different not riding. But, it was very owned bike and his first ever Top Fuel cool and very rewarding helping Len get his first win,” said Cownden. “Len did a Harley race. great job of riding. His reaction times were “This win was very unexpected. The team phenomenal and I’m very impressed with skipped testing, so the 1st qualifying pass his riding abilities. I’m looking forward on Friday was my first time taking the bike to racing the full season with him and down the track,” pointed out Darnell. “I working to win a championship.” MAR 2015
The next race for Top Fuel Harley will be March 20 – 22 at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, Louisiana. //
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