McCalla returns to Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS - Dave McCalla watched one of his prized racing possessions turn from trophy collector to dust collector.

The transformation did not set well with the 35-year-old veteran race car driver from Cedar Rapids.

After a year hiatus, McCalla returned to the championship No. 3 sportsman car to Hawkeye Downs Speedway and picked up where he left off two years ago. McCalla captured the season-opening feature win last week and will look to add another Friday night at the track's weekly points races.

Neighborhood children would stop by McCalla's garage to watch him and his crew work on their dirt-track car, but the asphalt car served as a make shift work table.

"The great asphalt car we had such good luck with over the years was sitting on the side of the garage, getting dusty," McCalla said. "All the extra parts were being stacked on top of it. It was pretty sad."

McCalla was happy to race dirt last year, running at Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Independence Motor Speedway and Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. He enjoyed the constant challenge presented by the surface. It was like he was a rookie driver again, having to adjust to a track that doesn't change from week to week but can demand a different set-up from the heat to feature races on a given night.

"I had so much to learn. I had a lot of fun," said McCalla, noting a set-up doesn't change once you identify the track's nuances. "There's a completely different aspect to (dirt) racing. How to drive and set up the car compared to what you do on the asphalt so it kind of brought the newness back. That's why I really enjoyed it."

A financial crimp to sponsorship made it tough to plan to travel to area dirt tracks to compete. Not only did a return to asphalt allow him to run the sportsman, but was a more convenient choice. McCalla, who lives minutes from Hawkeye Downs, can save money on gas hauling his ride and avoid the long, late trips back after racing. It also attracts more friends and family to his races, as well as sponsors.

"Racing locally, it's easier to get sponsors," McCalla said. "It's closer to Cedar Rapids so then they will go out to watch the races. Plus, they feel if you're racing locally that it's more people in the immediate area that will see their advertising on the car."

The advertisers got their money's worth on opening night. McCalla, who won three straight sportsman championships from 2006-2008 sandwiched between second-place finishes in his rookie season of 2005 and 2009, dominated the field for his 32nd career sportsman feature win at Hawkeye Downs. McCalla won the first heat race, and then drew the pole for the feature. He led the entire race, pulling away from the field.

"We ran on that quarter-mile a lot of years," said McCalla said. "I really enjoyed it. It's a true fit."

The class has changed a little since 2010. The class at Hawkeye Downs is a cross between the old sportsman and stock car divisions. McCalla's body is fiberglass, while others' are steel. He has to carry extra weight and he wasn't expecting such a strong showing the opening night, but his knowledge of the track paid dividends.

"I was really surprised because I'm 100 pounds heavier than the other cars out there," McCalla said. "I was really surprised the car did what it did. A lot of it, too, was experience."

McCalla said he knows it will be a tougher challenge next week. The conditions will negate his edge in experience. He also hopes more cars join the division as the season progresses, producing more competition.

"We'll have a drier track from bottom to top and will have to pass cars," McCalla said. "This Friday will be a different type of race."

Gates open at 6 p.m. with racing starting at 7:30. Admission is $10, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Children 12 years old and younger are free.