Hogan honors family by winning memorial race

VINTON - If Scott Hogan could win one race a summer it would be the memorial event that bears his family's name.

So, it comes as little surprise that the championship veteran race car driver was excited after his latest victory.

Hogan, 48, of Vinton, earned the checker flag at the 16th annual Hogan Memorial IMCA modified race Sunday at Benton County Speedway. It was his fourth win in the mid-season points championship event, honoring his late parents, Dick and Janet Hogan.

"It means a lot to me," Hogan said about winning the race. "It's one of the races I definitely want to win. That's for sure.

"It's a nice payday, but most of all it's the memory of my folks."

Dick and Janet were local race enthusiasts. Dick Hogan had a long career working for the Cedar Valley Times newspaper, becoming its publisher in 1976. He died in 1995, at the age of 60, from an apparent heart attack while attending races at Independence Motor Speedway. Janet, who was Deputy County Auditor for Benton County until she retired in 1997, died in 2008. She was 68.

"They were always very supportive," said Hogan, who has raced for more than 17 years. "(Dad) was always helping me out. Years ago when he was younger, he tinkered around in racing. He was out of it for a long while and then helped me get into it."

The event was created with the help of family friends, Arlo and Mike Becker, weeks after Dick Hogan's death. Hogan said they have carried on the tradition and it's grown into a large contest.

"Now, it's grown into a big, big race." said Hogan, noting the field consisted of 33 cars this year, down from 60 a year ago. "It's more of a celebration, now. It was with a heavy heart there for awhile years ago, because we missed them."

Hogan dominated the field, leading the final 28 laps of the 40-lap modified feature. He started in the fourth position and moved his way up, taking the lead from Richie Gustin on lap 12. He maintained the lead, even after a mandatory caution at the midway point of the race.

"The crew had the car just great," Hogan said. "I ran with Richie Gustin who was leading aty that tim and I stayed with him. I had the opportunity and I passed him."

The win was Hogan's fifth this summer, overcoming a rough stretch where he said finishing a race was a big accomplishment.

It was the fourth time Hogan has won the memorial race. He won the inaugural event in 1996, adding consecutive victories in 2005 and 2006. He was joined by his sister, Terri Shafer, his crew and other friends and family in victory lane to celebrate the feat. They made it even more special and winning it never grows old.

"We have so many great fans. It's amazing," Hogan said. "I hope to win it every year if I could."