Lil’ Racer Car Club takes center stage at Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS - If you've been to a race in Eastern Iowa in the last 10 years, chances are you've either seen or crossed paths with the Lil' Racer Car Club.

Lone Tree's Mitch Swinton started the club in 2005 to give young kids activities in which to participate at the races - gunny sack races, big wheel races, etc. - and it grew from there. Friday night was Lil' Racer Car Club and Kids with Cancer Night at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, giving Swinton's club center stage and the club members each a ride in a racecar.

'It's a lot of fun. I do this for the kids, and I would do it every night like this if I could,” Swinton said. 'I work at the University (of Iowa) 40 hours a week, and that's the job that pays the bills. This (the club) is my fun.

'If I can get a kid to come up to my booth and smile, that's all that really matters. That means the world to me.”

The event was highlighted by the Tauke family making the trip up from North Liberty to bring the guest of honor, seven year-old Griffin, who was diagnosed in April 2014 with Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer.

Griffin, along with his parents Scott and Kelsey and older brother Bennett got to ride in a Cedar Rapids Fire Department truck during the national anthem and got a Lil' Racer Car Club t-shirt signed by all the drivers.

The family even got a visit in their VIP booth from Cedar Rapids native and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Joey Gase, who came out to watch the races while home for his race at Iowa Speedway this weekend.

All the attention and special treatment was a bit overwhelming for the family, but said they were certainly grateful.

'It's been awesome; I think Griffin has really enjoyed it,” Kelsey Tauke said. 'Riding in the racecar was the coolest part for him.

'This was something to look forward to all week. It gets your mind off (the sickness) for a little bit. It's just neat to get an opportunity like this, because a lot of kids don't. We're just glad he gets this opportunity.”

The night was a welcome distraction for the family from Griffin's illness. It's easy for families to get caught up in worrying and fear over something as serious as cancer, so having a night to relax and have fun was both enjoyable and a relief.

Scott said Griffin has been a trooper through his whole ordeal, but the parents could tell there was a little extra pep in his step Friday night.

'Typically he's been in good spirits, surprisingly, with everything he's been through,” Scott Tauke said. 'You could tell he was a little more perked up all night tonight.”

Getting to put smiles on kids' faces is what keeps Swinton and the Lil' Racer Car Club going.

As the club has grown, so has its supporters. Swinton has had dozens of drivers donate old trophies to give away at events, and even Tony Stewart Racing came on board as a sponsor to give away trinkets and trophies as well.

His dedication to fun for all ages and kids who are sick led to having the Tauke family at Hawkeye Downs, and is what drives him forward.

'I used to give away big prizes, but kids don't care about big prizes, they just want something. Like the trophies,” Swinton said. 'Kids want to come to the track now. Before they were all bored, sitting up there with nothing to do.

'I think the promoters like having us around now. We bring the kids and the kids bring their parents.”

As for the on-track action, five divisions were in action once again with 57 cars in attendance.

In the most hotly contested event of the night, the Sportsmen put on a show. Last week's winner, Dave McCalla, had to start in the back after last week's victory. He was fast, but couldn't cruise through the field. The top five cars raced side by side, two and three rows deep for half the A-main. McCalla made a pass on the high side with three to go past Cedar Rapids driver Jim Hanson to take the victory.

The biggest class of the night was in the INEX Legends. Brady Fox-Rhode made it back-to-back wins as well - a theme of the night - after working his way through heavy traffic. Fox-Rhode passed Tim Goettsch with less than five laps to go for the win.

Caleb Adrian took the win in Late Models. Adrian started on the pole next to Cedar Rapids' Griffin McGrath. He fought off a brief challenge in the opening laps from McGrath, pulled away and led each of the 25 laps.

Nathan Ballard also got his second straight win in Hobby Stock, starting near the back and taking the lead in less than two laps. He cruised to the win ahead of Jason Sherman.

Dallas Chandler got some vindication after coming up short in the season opener in the Hornets division. Chandler took the lead midway through the race from Drew Nickell and never looked back en route to the win.

Hawkeye Downs is back in action next Friday night.

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