ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR (Oh yeah!)

14th in points and Rookie-of-the-Year




Mike was with us in spirit!


The final chapter of the 2010 MTS racing season has been written. The awards banquet took place this evening and we'll let the photos speak for themselves. Many thanks to MTS, Blackford Appraisal Services, Affordable Repair Service, and BarnYard Engineering.

We had a great year, lots of fun, and we couldn't have done it without the help of Mark Strpko, Dave Ockerman, and Mike Berry.

Thank you to Bobbie for providing the helmet, and to Adam Wegner for his help with decking the trailer, and having the welding equipment to help us get to the last race.

A very special thanks to the Irwin family for all the work entailed in running the circuit for the diehard wingless sprints.


Dave Ockerman, Randy (14th in points), and Mike Berry




"Randy Kreple, Michigan Traditional Sprints, 2010 Rookie of the Year"



2010 Season Closes

Saturday night, 9/18, saw the Michigan Traditional Sprints return to Crystal Motor Speedway in Crystal, MI. After a long rain delay, and a lot of time spent packing the track to make it drivable, racing got underway. It was a very big show with seven classes competing.


Dirt trackin', not for the "afraid to get dirty" variety.

This was the site of the "incident" from the same weekend last year, and we're happy to say that it was...um-m-m-m...an "incident-free" evening, for us anyway.



John Watson, Mike Berry, Dave Ockerman



Again, experimenting with set-up, and really tacky track conditions made for another new driving experience. Mike Berry and Dave Ockerman are like sponges, soaking up every bit of information they can. While they are both motorheads, Dave has a hankering to drive.




John Watson #26

Our friends Terri and John Watson were down from Canada, and John offered his input on set-up. While engine guru, Mark Stryko, always adds a little humor, a little excitement, and wise words.

What's a little mud among friends?

Mark is entirely responsible for putting the 5K car together. Without his help and encouragement this season would not have happened. From the #5K team to the #35 team, much love, many thanks, and immense gratitude.

Mark Strpko and Randy



Cherry Raceway, 08/21/10

Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, MI is a sweet, high-banked 3/8 mile track. We were under threat of a major thunderstorm the entire day. It never did materialize. Temperatures were in the high 70s, with a moderate breeze, which kindly blew the clay dust away from us. Gotta LOVE when that happens.

Having not driven the car at Merritt, Randy dropped from 10th to 15th in the points standings. With only one race left it'll be difficult to make that up, but it was a fun, fun, FUN night.

We had the wonderful fortune to pit next to Chuck Wilson (#31), a veteran driver from Ohio. His son, Chad, who worked with a World of Outlaws team last year, was there to pit for his dad. They shared some very helpful set-up information, which not only increased our bank of knowledge, but helped the car handle better.

Set-up is a major part of racing a sprint car on dirt. Stagger, tire pressure, the spacers on the rear axle, rear end gears, adjustment of the torsion bars all have an impact. Since each track is a little different, and on any given day the same track can be vastly different, it's important to begin to note what set-ups work where, and when.


So-o-o-o, we're in, like, kindergarten. But, what was awesome about being next to Chuck Wilson was that it was like having somebody with a degree in engineering giving the benefit of his wealth of knowledge. Dave, Mike, and Randy absorbing every bit, every word, every thought had a wonderful time. Rand made a decision to lose some air in the right rear, which turned out not to be the best call, but hey, sometimes you're "hooked-up", sometimes you aren't.

Next race is at Crystal. Crystal is the site of  "the incident".

Merritt Speedway, 08/14/10

Randy got to enjoy being a car-owner at the 1/4 mile dirt oval in Lake City.  Dave Ockerman, who usually plays the part of crew chief, jumped into the driver's seat for the MTS Northern 410 Nationals at Merritt Speedway last night.

While this isn't something you can practice just anywhere, Dave did a super job of feeling his way around the track for his first official time in a sprint car. Mike Berry took over the role of crew chief as Randy supervised and filled-in as photographer.

With a new rescue puppy in my care, I wasn't able to travel with them to this weekend's event, but by all accounts, everyone had a wonderful time.

Next week we're at Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake. Prior to last night's race Rand was 10th in points. So, with two races left and yielding the car to Dave last night it's anybody's guess where we'll end up.



Notice Big Bird has been installed as a permanent passenger as Mike and Dave wait for hot laps.

Butler Motor Speedway, 07/17/10

Another beautiful night for racing!!! Hot, hot, HOT, but so much fun, I can still hardly contain myself. There was a slightly smaller field for the nights races, but nonetheless enjoyable. Eighteen cars duked it out on a seriously banked 3/8th mile track. The wind was blowing away from us, so unless you were very near the fence, the dirt wasn't bad. It's been very dry, so there wasn't much mud being thrown. And...Rand is still grinning from ear to ear.

Our two daughters and their families, plus good friends made it an especially "warm and fuzzy" night for Rand. I LOVE the whole tailgating part of it, so he takes care of the garage and I manage the kitchen.

In the feature event Rand got to experience a couple of "firsts", the first one was a serious "about-face" due to getting too high on the cushion. The second was what could have been another machine-wrecking accident. The 58 car got too far around while sliding between turns one and two. Rand was so close behind him that to avoid t-boning him jammed on the brakes, which also turned him sideways. Not for long, tho. He executed a full 360 and kept going. The track official, not having seen the entire incident, sent Rand off the track. MTS (Michigan Traditional Sprints) has a two spinout rule. Two spinouts and you're out. An apology afterwards for the incorrect call on the part of the official, made the sting a little less, but the night was a HUGE success. Rand's comfort in the car is showing with each race.

Randy and "grands", Tommy and Ally at Butler. 

Mike Berry, left, and Dave Ockerman are a huge help. They love pitting for Rand, and we love having them, but I'm nervous. (I think Dave's catching the "bug")

6/26/10 at Thunderbird Raceway

The rain stayed away, it was a beautiful clear night, and fun was had by all. Tommy and Ally Blackford, our grandchildren, travelled with us to the Thunderbird Raceway for the MTS show, sponsored by Lane Automotive.

Again, we made and completed, the feature, and again, there were 21 cars. It was especially fun to watch as Rand experimented with different grooves on the track without causing any "incidents".

Our good friend, Mark Strpko, finished 13th, and Rand 14th. I would say it appeared they were having a wonderful time!! Mark and Rand each spun out once. Mark is usually able to make it a complete 360 and just keep on going, but for whatever reason, didn't. So he caused a caution, and then later Nick Landon spun in front of Randy. Rand's dodge of the spin caused him to do an about-face, but the caution wasn't caused by him. There was much more action including a ride over a right rear tire that caused the orange 58W, to make it's way into the catch-fence in turn four. The driver was fine, and the car didn't appear to have season-ending damage.

Dave and Mike made the trip with us and brought a quad, which made the job of delivering the 5K car to the chute a little easier. I love that they are such a great help to Rand, and both truly great guys.

The track was tacky, and the mud was flying! I could have made a couple of pots with all the clay covering the car!

John Watson, and his wife, Terri, stopped down for a chat. They come from Toronto to race with MTS Sprints, because as he puts it, "The people make it worth the drive."

Rebuilt and Raring to Go

2010 brought a double header for the season opener. Saturday night at Thunderbird and Sunday night at Crystal. Memorial Day weekend was busy, hot and very fun.

Sorry folks, but I asked Randy to promise me he would hang back, stay out of traffic and get used to the car. Mixing it up can come later. He's, of course, good for his word. The weekend was great.

Saturday night at Thunderbird, hotlaps and the heat race come off without a hitch. There was an accident in the feature involving our good friend, Mark Strpko. His car was damaged, but not seriously. Rand left the track without any brakes. Not sure when they left, but when the caution flag came out, they were MIA.

Sunday morning Mark scrambled to repair his car, and then they went to work to fix Rand's brakes. Crystal is the site of the rollover accident and the track is a 3/8 mile with nice banking.

Hotlaps came off without a hitch, heat race, too, and we have completed our first 25 lap feature. Rand, again stayed back, but midway through the race Mark spun out (doing a perfect 360) and Rand passed him. Mark worked his way back. Rand moved over to allow him to pass, but once he's in front, Rand gives him a little love tap on the rear bumper. Later, Mark got to return the favor. We all enjoyed their show and they were having a blast.

It was nice to get this race completed without incident. Next we're back at Thunderbird, and then in July they race at Butler and Merritt. Merritt is the same date as the reunion, so we'll miss that one, but there will be more. Rand is having the time of his life.

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The Incident

Hot laps went well. Qualifying heat went well. Then the incident. Two cars criss crossing the track leave Randy no where to go. He is momentarily knocked out, the engine fries, and the car is wrecked.









You can see in the above photos that there was damage to the car, but most striking to me is the halo, added only that afternoon is collapsed, but likely saved his life. Glory to God.



A trip to the hospital, a concussion, and a wrecked car. Everyone else involved in the accident is fine, but their cars, too, are wrecked. It was the last race date of the season, so we have all winter to rebuild. Rebuild, we do.

Grandson, Ben, sits in the stipped-down car. Re-building has begun.

The "New" Car

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Mark Strpko and Randy have just brought the car home. The date is May 18, 2009. The engine is "broke" and we will spend the next several months rebuilding and getting it race ready.

Mark is owner and Chairman of the Board of B(arn)Y(ard) Engineering. He also is a sprint car owner/driver. Super nice guy and a GREAT engine builder.

I immediately start peeling the vinyl flames from the machine.






We go to test and tune day, it runs, and runs good, in fact. You can see that the top of Rand's helmet is just above the roll cage. Not good. But, it's a good day and the set-up not bad, we learn alot and Rand sets a little seat time.



Michael and Ben (with Tommy behind) inspect the car. We're a diverse group and do not discriminate against Trevor and his rubber ducky helmet.






It is race day, and we're building and installing a "halo" which will add heighth to the roll cage. While Rand isn't tall by any means, the chassis is built for someone shorter. Randy is feeling stress for all involved. Time is passing and he suggests to Mark that it'll be fine without it. Mark does not listen, but continues to supervise the building and installing of the halo.

Dave Ockerman and Ben Curtis help in the pits and assist Randy with his gear, belts, head sock, helmet, then push him into the line-up to be pushed off for hotlaps.

The First Car

It wasn't pretty, but it was a start.


Mike must have been thinking, "Dude, what IS this?"








Having bartered for the car there's no out-of-pocket money gone, and what happens next is pretty amazing.

Randy has stripped it down to the bare chassis. But we are in the middle of building a house, and it sits for a while. Little by little he rebuilds it. It is a very old car, and components that will fit it are sometimes hard to come by, but find them he does.



Eventually, we have permission to push it off at a track. We are there alone with just the guys who have come to help.

I am very happy for him, and he is like a little boy on Christmas morning, maybe to the tenth power.

He wants me to drive it, and I want to, so I am dressed in a borrowed fire suit.







It coughs and sputters, isn't running exactly right, but it runs. It needs more work on the engine, but the first race isn't far away.









Waiting in line for the pit gate to open.


Didn't know if we'd ever see this day, but see it we have.










The push-off.











More work.

Alas, the car is never quite right. The chassis is old and of such an old style that parts we need for it to handle properly are not easily available.




Randy's work situation changes and again, there is not time to do the necessary work.

The car is sold, but we're not done...

The Middle Years

Sheri has started playing softball and taking dance lessons, then Mike started speed skating, then Bobbie is dancing and playing softball, then all three are speed skating. There's more softball, baseball, football. There is not time, or money, for racing.

We have three kids in three different schools all playing three sports. Sheri leaves for college, and Gramma moves in with us. Mike is playing drums in band, and in "A band"! They rehearse at our house. Randy's mom is diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. Still no time, or money, for racing.

We have three kids in college in three different states, Montana, Iowa and California. Still no time, or money, for racing.

We have weddings, and grandchildren. Still...no time, or money, for racing.

The kids were involved in so many different things it would be silly to attempt to document, or represent them all here.  Suffice it to say our lives were rich and full, and busy.

This is Mikey at 5 years old, and Bobbie is 7.

The girls both dance for many years.

Here's an unusual use of the boat racing trailer. We built a float in our garage for the Bicentennial Parade in Kentwood, July 4, 1976. Look how cute they were. Sewed the costumes, made hundreds and hundreds of tissue flowers. Homecoming floats gave me the experience to do this. LOL

Sheri attended Montana State University in Bozeman, and played volleyball.

Bobbie play volleyball at the University of Northern Iowa.

...and Mike played volleyball in the Olympic Festival and then at Pierce College in California.

1991, 1993, and 1999 gave us weddings, and 1995, 1997, 1999, 1999, and 2001 brought us grandchildren. God's greatest gifts.

L to R: Madison, Tommy, Ben, Allison, and Lancing

Kids are established, but, we're so much older, I ask, "Honey, are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'm sure," is his reply.