A Special Kids Night

I'd like to welcome Gary Dominguez to the Heartland RaceNews.com contributors. Gary, who you see behind the Woods Bros Realty "Screamin' Eagle" pace car at Eagle Raceway each weekend, is also the founder of Midwest Racer's Autograph Day as well as a long time supporter of and fixture in the racing community.

Gary wrote this piece that exemplifies the spirit of Kid's Night in the racing community.

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A Special Kids Night

By Gary Dominguez

July 25th, 2009 marked another annual “Kids Night” at Eagle Raceway. Over 350 bikes were given away to lucky kids, another record breaker over the previous year. Thousands of fans flocked in to enjoy a night of racing and fun with kids in mind.

Over 1,700 eligible children were hoping to win bikes.

One such child was 10 year old “Dylan”. Young Dylan has been a loyal race fan for the last few years, and comes to Eagle Raceway every week with his mom to cheer his favorite driver Dylan Smith and his #95 IMCA Modified race car. After every race, young Dylan would run back to talk to his hero, get t-shirts, and get autographs from him. The 21 year old Smith always made time to talk to his young fan. One night earlier this summer, Smith asked young Dylan if he was coming out for “Kids Night”. Of course, that was met with a huge nod. Young Dylan remarked he had been hoping to win a bike for the last three years and hadn’t won one, but was hoping to this year. Smith smiled at his young fan.

Alas, on the July 25th event, Young Dylan came up short again. No bike this year again. Undaunted, he still cheered for his favorite driver Dylan Smith. Unfortunately Smith’s car was damaged in the A feature and was forced to end his evening without finishing. It appeared both had come up short that night.

After the races, Young Dylan as always went back to visit with Smith. When asked by Smith if he won a bike, young Dylan sadly said “No, not this year”. With that, Smith said “wait here”. Out from Dylan Smith’s trailer came a brand new bicycle. “Here ya go, Dylan. Thanks for being a good fan”. Young Dylan’s eyes were as big as saucers. He could not believe it. Dylan Smith, and his team actually spent their own money and bought a bike for his number 1 fan! Young Dylan’s mother was in tears and thanked and hugged everyone for their act of kindness. There wasn’t a dry eye in the pit that night. The young boy rode his bike throughout the pits. The smile on his face defied description.

So July 25th 2009 was a night of victories both on and off the track. A young boy was blessed with a memory he will treasure his whole life (as well as a bicycle), and a racer won a victory no checkered flag could equal. Even after a losing night, they both emerged champions.