Racing cars a family tradition for Flannagans

CEDAR RAPIDS — The passion for racing runs deep in the Flannagan family.

And it’s fueling their success on the track.

Patrick Flannagan took home his fourth checkered flag of the season Friday. He leads second-place Jonny Williams in the SportsMods division at Hawkeye Downs Speedway by a commanding 15 points.

Beckett Flannagan, Patrick’s son, is fifth in points. He has four top-five finishes and had his best performance of 2023 on Friday, finishing third.

The Flannagan father-son duo has set ambitious goals.

Patrick, 44, has won three consecutive track championships at Hawkeye Downs. He’s chasing a four-peat.

Beckett, 13, has his sights set on earning “Rookie of the Year” honors in his first season racing SportsMods.

Personal aspirations aside, quality time always is at the top of the agenda for the Flannagans.

“A four-peat would be great,” Patrick said. “But it’s more about having fun racing together and working on things together.”

A freshman-to-be at Alburnett, Beckett is the second youngest driver at Hawkeye Downs, “about a half a year” older than fellow SportsMods driver Tallan Chandler. Beckett raced Hornets last season before making the jump to SportsMods.

“We’ve made some changes and got him going a little bit better,” Patrick said. “So hopefully by the end of the year he’s running right up there with me for the top spot.”

Racing has been a been a long-time tradition for the Flannagans. Patrick and his father, Bill, raced against each other at Hawkeye Downs until the mid-2000s.

“He had the upper hand because he got all the good equipment and I got the leftovers,” Patrick said with a chuckle. “That’s kind of what I’m doing to him (Beckett).

“It was good, and it (father-son racing) can only get better when he (Beckett) is starting to give me a run for my money for the win.”

These days, Bill lends his son and grandson a hand in the garage and watches races from the stands. Working in the shop is something the trio enjoys doing together.

“It’s (vehicle maintenance) on me and my dad, he’s been working with us, too,” Patrick said. “It’s been all three of us.”

Bill’s racing wisdom and observations from the track have helped Beckett learn and develop as a driver.

“It’s nice because I get two angles of the race (one on the track and one from the crowd),” Beckett said. “I have my grandpa telling me, ‘Well, you should do this,’ because he’s actually watching the race.

“My dad’s out in front. He’s only watching me when he laps me.”

While he’s focused on his own performance during races, Patrick, too, has sage advice for Beckett.

“Just keep the car in control and don’t have the wrecks be your fault,” Patrick said. “And just have fun out there. If you’re not having fun, it’s not worth doing because it takes up so much time and money.”

What would be fun for Beckett? Besting his dad in a feature race.

“I would definitely get bragging rights for that week,” Beckett said. “He’s had bragging rights the whole season. It would just be an honor to say I beat him.”

A first-place finish in the process would be icing the cake.

“I think I should get ice cream (if I win),” Beckett said.

“I’d pull up in Victory Lane like he does for me, get my picture taken and congratulate him,” Patrick said. “It would be business as usual. Get back to work and try to beat everyone again next week.”

Win or lose, there’s no denying the valuable moments the Flannagans will experience together this season, on and off the track.