Austin reflects on his last hurrah

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August 19, 2008

By Cheryl Licklider, Commentary The Enid News and Eagle Tue Aug 19, 2008, 12:02 AM CDT

Ricky Austin has been chasing checkered flags for the past 16 years. This avid driver was bitten by the “racing bug” while assisting Hennessey racing legend Joe Bohnstedt when he still was in high school.

“I moved to Enid after I graduated and bought a car from the Gerhards and it went from there,” said Austin. “Over the years I have raced everything at the track except pro stocks.”

With a resume including everything from factory stocks to modifieds, this weekend warrior admits his favorite division was mini stocks.

“I had a lot of fun in that class,” said Austin. “I really miss the mini stocks.”

Enid Speedway Park discontinued the division three years ago due to a consistently low car count. Austin, along with most of the other drivers in the dwindling class, moved to the limited modified division, which has grown by leaps and bounds.

“I am enjoying racing in limited modifieds,” said Austin. “The highlight of my racing career is finishing seventh overall my first year in the class. I’m sitting fifth right now and hope to get my first ‘A’ feature win in the division this year.”

Austin’s quick No. 61 limited modified sports a Jerry Derr Chassis with a body built by the driver and his father Danny. Ma and Pa’s Place, A & A Automotive, May Welding, Crabbs Transport and J-Mar Trucking sponsor the team.

Loyal crew members include Anthony McElfresh, Dave Nichols, Terry Costello, Brad Costello, Lonnie Wilson, Jase Ensminger, Robert Thorten, Austin’s wife Amber and his sons Johnathan and Matthew.

“If it weren’t for my crew and sponsors, I couldn’t do this,” said Austin.

Though he’s had a successful run, this 36-year-old driver is hanging up his helmet at the end of the season in order to spend some quality time with his family.

“Family has to come first, and my boys are my life,” said Austin. “Johnathan likes to fish and Matthew likes to go fast, so we are going to buy a fast fishing boat and spend some time on the lake.”

This self-professed adrenaline junky admits that it is going to be difficult to leave the sport and plans to stay involved on some level.

“We have the car up for sale, but if it doesn’t sell I’m going to try to get Terry Costello to drive it next year,” said Austin. “I’d also like to get involved behind the scenes at the track. My goal is to become the flag man. I’ve already been talking to promoter Lonnie Colville about the possibility of joining his team as an official next season.”

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