Wall of Fame inductee Arnie Reif did it all at Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS — Arnie Reif contributed to racing at Hawkeye Downs in a variety of ways during his 23 years at the track.

On Friday, he was rewarded for it.

Reif was one of five individuals inducted into Hawkeye Downs’ 2024 Wall of Fame class.

From 1993 to 2014, Reif, 77, worked as a crewman, raced in multiple classes and served as a car inspector at HD.

Still, Reif was surprised when Hawkeye Downs Wall of Fame organizer Steve Day showed up at his front door in April.

“It was about 10:30 in the morning; I was still reading the paper,” Reif said. “He rang the doorbell and when I answered he said, ‘Well Arnie, you’re going to be on the Wall of Fame.’

“It was not something I expected. I don't know that I'm deserving of it, but it does mean a lot.”

Reif began as a crewman for Keith Siefkens in 1993. Siefkens raced modified cars and later ran Late Models with Reif by his side.

“I got involved (at Hawkeye Downs) because of him (Siefkins),” Reif said. “I worked at Goss (Graphic Systems) with Keith. He got into the modified and I started helping him doing whatever I could. I did that for several years and we’re still friends today.”

In 2002, Reif got behind wheel, competing in Super Stocks for two seasons.

“I’ve always loved racing and have been involved with it since I was young,” Reif said. “I raced quarter midgets when I was a kid, so it’s always kind of been in my blood.”

Reif then brought his Sports Modified over from Benton County Speedway’s dirt track to the asphalt at Hawkeye Downs in 2007, where he raced for two seasons.

“The most fun I ever had was when we were running the Sports Mods and Hawkeye Downs invited the dirt Sports Mod people to come for a big race,” Reif said. “Those dirt cars, a lot of times that left front wheel would be about three feet off the ground. It felt so good to come out of the corner and see one of those guys on the outside of me … I'd look over and here's the tire up in the air right next to my door.”

From 2004 to ‘06, Reif was Chad Willet’s crew chief. He was then on Scott Kositzky’s crew when Kositzky won the Sports Modified championship in 2009.

Reif’s knowledge of engines can be partially attributed to his experience in the military.

From 1966 to ‘70, Reif served in the Naval Air as an “ADJ” (Aviation Machinist’s Mate or Jet Engine Mechanic). He served time in California and Hawaii before returning to his hometown of Cedar Rapids where he resides today.

His expertise under the hood led to his final stop at HD as a car inspector in 2013 and ‘14.

“It was a really tough job; you’re kind of caught in the middle of a lot of things,” Reif said. “Usually it wasn't anything that serious, yet, it's not fair to the other guys if one guy is running something illegal. Everybody deserves the same opportunity to win.”

Reif still regularly attends races at Hawkeye Downs, a place he grew up loving.

“I remember going there with my dad (Keith Reif) and watching him race on the dirt,” Reif said. “I've always loved Hawkeye Downs. It was just a cool place growing up.

“That’s why it (the Wall of Fame induction) means a lot to me.”