Support leads to success for Glascock

CEDAR RAPIDS - Good family, a good team and some very good racing.

Ben Glascock has had plenty of support and assistance to produce a recent hot streak at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

The sportsman race car driver will attempt to win his third straight feature during the weekly points races Friday night at Hawkeye Downs. Action begins with hot laps at 6:35 p.m. with races at 7:30.

Glascock, 30, of Indianola, is second in season points with two weeks remaining. He has three feature wins, which have all come in the last four weeks. Success has been a collaborative effort with his parents, wife and crew.

“I drive the car and might be able to put it in victory lane,” Glascock said. “That car wouldn't be in victory lane if it wasn't for the people who put in time, effort and support me, getting me where I need to be to do it.”

Interestingly, Glascock's parents, Dave and Diane Glascock, were against his racing at the start 12 years ago. Glascock laughed when he recalled asking for a go-kart as a youth and he received a horse that he showed with family. They changed their minds, but urged him to practice the utmost safety when he started at a local dirt track.

“I was one of the only guys with a full fire suit and everything,” said Glascock, who learned about racing as a 17-year-old working on his uncle's dirt truck. “It just went from there.”

They have become some of his biggest fans, along with his wife of two years, Bailey. Glascock said she has been essential as he travels for work during the summer and returns in time to get the car ready to drive two hours for racing. He also spends time in the garage, working on the car during the weekend.

“My wife puts up with so much from me and my racing,” Glascock said. “She loves racing.

“Without the support of my parents and my wife, I doubt I would be as good of a driver as I am now.”

Patience was a requirement early in Glascock's career. It took him about 10 years before he earned his first victory at Hawkeye Downs, which he considers his home track due to the lack of asphalt tracks in the area. He won once in 2011 and once last year. He has made progress as a driver, receiving help in a developmental program from Steve Setzer at Performance Concepts, Inc., and crew members Scott Anderson and Craig Barenz.

He has also benefitted from more time behind the wheel, running in some Mid-American Stock Car Series races. He is top 20 in points, placing 10th in a May race at Hawkeye Downs.

“I'm starting to run good. I'm starting to get comfortable in what is a newer car for me,” said Glascock, who raced late models briefly until a wreck at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo., kept him off the track for about two years and forced him back into a sportsman. "I seem to be developing more as a driver.”

When he began competing in Cedar Rapids in 2006, Dave McCalla, the defending points champion who currently leads Glascock by 21 points, was ruling the class. Glascock wanted to be in his place and admitted McCalla motivates him to get better. The former prep wrestler and soccer player owns a strong competitive spirit that wants to contend each time on the track.

“I don't like to race and sit in back,” Glascock said. “I don't have to win, but I like to be up front.”

McCalla played a role in the season's highlight. Glascock battled McCalla for the win that kicked off the successful stretch. The two raced side-by-side for half of the 20-lap feature on July 19, alternating as leader. Glascock said it was his favorite one, so far.

“All the wins have been emotional for me,” Glascock said. “We had some really good, door-to-door, clean hard racing. It was just a fun race.”