Eastern Iowa auto racing official Wes White living his best life

INDEPENDENCE — Wes White has been a race fan for as long as he can remember.

“My mom and dad took me to the races for years,” said White, who would go with his parents to West Liberty on Fridays, Independence on Saturdays and Cresco on Sundays. “That’s usually what our weekends would consist of.”

Although he only “raced” for one year, in a two-man cruiser, he’s been flagging races since the early 1990s. That’s when he started with Go Karts at 93 Speedway, located between Fayette and Sumner.

“I think it’s the best seat in the house,” White said. “For me anyways.”

Now, the Center Point resident can be found in the official’s stand at Independence each Saturday for weekly racing. He also recently sold his half of Albert Auto to his business partner so that he can continue flagging duties for events like the Dirt Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., something he did last year, and the ongoing XR series that races on Mondays through the summer at Texas Motor Speedway’s dirt track.

“It’s something I’m passionate about,” White said. “I love watching races and I love being involved with it. To me, it’s a big deal to be involved.”

That’s why, along with officiating, White and his high school sweetheart-turned-wife, Tabatha, also help several drivers in several different ways.

“Before I did any sponsorship I would just help guys out,” White said. “I’ve got one guy that I let use my bumper jack, and that will be for life, and every time he builds a car, he puts my name on it.”

Wes and Tabatha are careful not to blur the lines between sponsorship and officiating.

“Obviously, there are a lot of cars that I sponsor that are at races that I officiate,” White said. “It’s all about perception. You can’t be on the flag stand and sponsor a car and there to be any inclination of favoritism. It’s all got to be called.”

With a full slate of racing, basically year-round, Wes relies heavily on Tabatha to keep their home lives organized. That means making sure their calendars are in sync and she knows where he needs to be next. Luckily, when Wes returns home to his sweetheart, he leaves his cares at the track.

“Wes does not get worked up about stuff,” Tabatha said. “He doesn’t get stressed out, so I don’t have to bring him down, because nothing gets to him personally.”

It may be because White is living his best life.

“It’s a dream, for sure,” White said. “It’s more than I could ever ask for.”