By Cheryl Licklider, Commentary

College students blow off steam on the weekends in a number of ways.

Pond Creek hot shoe Greg Deterding returns from Oklahoma State University (where he is a full time Agriculture Business student) on Saturday nights to escape the pressure of academia as a contender in Enid Speedway Park’s popular limited modified division.

Although a rookie on the legendary Garfield County Fairgrounds track, Deterding is no stranger to the sport of racing. At the age of 14, when most boys are content to tool around on their skateboards, this talented competitor was chasing checkered flags in a modified go-cart. He toured the circuit until 2006 before selling his equipment in preparation for the leap to stock car racing.

“I had always wanted to race the big race cars, but settled for go-carts after seeing them at the state fair in ‘99,” said Deterding. “I sold the go carts in ‘06 when my parents agreed that I could eventually race stock cars.”

Near the end of last season, Deterding made his debut on the local oval in style. The first night out he won his heat race before going on to hit the wall during the main event.

“The first night covered the whole spectrum, from as good as it gets, to as bad as it could get in one show,” said Deterding.

Bitten by the racing bug, he returned the next weekend and posted his first ‘A’ feature win. Though he’s raced in only five cards, Deterding has shown a natural aptitude for the sport. His second night out, he scored the feature win and has consistently finished in the top five.

“I guess racing is just in my blood,” said Deterding. “My dad raced in factory stock during his 20’s and my mom raced drag cars when she was young. I love driving fast and have fun competing with the guys out here.”

According to Deterding, he enjoys the quickly growing division and the camaraderie of the drivers.

“This is a neat class. You can race from here to North Dakota,” he said. “The guys in this division are competitive and drive real clean. I’ve made a lot of new friends out here.”

Deterding’s No. 85 sports a Gould Racing chassis and is powered by a Dunsworth Machine motor. Daniel Rogers fabricates the sheet metal with A & L Graphics taking care of the vinyl on the sharp ride. Loyal Pond Creek sponsors include AG Aviation Equipment, Deterding Aerial, RDS Trucking, D & D NAPA, D & B Service, the Bar-B-Q Joint and Harvest Grill.

Ty Barnard heads up the team as crew chief. Jeff Lindell and Russell Kindred assist him.

“I love having these guys around,” said Deterding. “They are a lot of fun and everyone helps out a lot.”

Deterding has set high aspirations for his first season as he hopes to be successful in the championship points chase.