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April 13, 2009

O’Dell living the dream

Walter O’Dell III took a giant leap this season when he tossed his helmet into the ring in the National Championship Racing Association (NCRA) Oklahoma Sportsman Modified Series. Though only in his sophomore season in the popular division, O’Dell is no stranger to the sport of stock car racing.

“It has always been my dream to drive a race car,” said O’Dell. “I’ve been around racing all my life. I’ll never forget the Fourth of July weekend when I was 11, racing all over the country with my dad (who was the crew chief for Mark Harrison) and having a blast.”

This fearless competitor buckled behind the wheel of a mini stock at Enid Speedway Park when he was barely 17 years old. O’Dell then moved up to the factory stock division for several years before stepping up to the trendy limited modified class.

“This car is fast and fun,” said O’Dell. “The weight ratio is quick but you don’t have the overall power of a factory or street stock. It is more of a chassis car. The first week I drove it I called it a go-cart on steroids.”

After nearly a decade apart, O’Dell was reunited with his father just in time to assist him with his first NCRA race on March 27. Though the event ended with O’Dell in a huge crash, he finished 24th out of 40 cars and is optimistic about the season.

According to this young gun, he plans to chase points in the eight-race series. O’Dell’s quest is the coveted championship. His father’s timely return to Kingfisher could be his key to success.

“I have hardly had to lift a finger on the car this year,” said O’Dell. “My dad has been doing an excellent job on it.”

The senior O’Dell said he and Harrison plan to change the car over to a MOPAR. They bring a great deal of experience and expertise to the team with their reign as champions over the Garfield County Fairgrounds track in the 90’s with a MOPAR-powered modified.

“I think he’s on the right track, he’s done an excellent job on the car,” said the senior O’Dell. “I’m very proud of him. Harrison and I are going to combine our knowledge with his new know-how. It should be a winning combination.”

The young O’Dell is very knowledgeable about cars; he started preparing for his career in the industry during high school studying automotive technology at Chisholm Trail Technology Center. He then traveled across the country and continued his education at Nashville Auto Diesel College. O’Dell resides in Kingfisher, where he works as a technician at Dobrinski’s Chevrolet.

His quick No. 35 sports a Platinum Motorsports chassis and is powered by a motor built by O’Dell with machine work by Dunsworth Machine. Dale’s Electric, Dobrinski’s, Doug Criss Trucking and Rick’s Home Repair sponsor the car.

The senior O’Dell heads up the team as crew chief along with Rick Misener, Harrison, Brandon Gibson and Wayne Gibson.

“They all work hard on the car,” said O’Dell. “It gives me more time to spend with my wife, Mindy, and 3-year old daughter, Addyson. My family helps and supports me, but most of all they understand my obsession with racing.”



Licklider is the motor sports writer at the News & Eagle.

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