2nd Place in Points!

2nd Place in Points I'm One Proud Mamma!

This years racing banquet was bitter sweet. It was a wonderful feeling to see Ashlee and my nephew Kyle rewarded for their hard work, however it was extremely tough to be there knowing that Bobby Haun (Co-Owner of the track and race director) would not be there. Bobby passed away unexpectedly this past December. Bobby was an amazing man and an inspiration to all of the drivers. He was the first one to help, teach and give everything he had to the sport. We will all carry Bobby in our hearts. The Haun family is amazing and I know they will continue to honor Bobby and his hopes and dreams for the track and club.

Ashlee was so excited to receive her awesome plaque. I hope that this helps motivate her for this up coming season. She was able to see how her hard work paid off. I love how racing and life lessons are tied together!

Driver Spotlight: Rylee Michaelson

Rylee Michaelson

Rylee Michaelson has an impressive resume in the race world. She began racing when she was 19 years old and is going into her 4th year of her racing career. She got her interest in racing as a spectator just like everyone else in the stands. She loved going to the track for the different events and decided that instead of being a bystander she needed to be a part of the action. She took her mom's old daily driver and turned it into a race car. According to Rylee, "This car was slow heavy and all wrong for racing but it got me hooked."

Rylee enjoys many aspects of racing. "My favorite thing about racing is that when you're on the track the competition is at its highest and everyone has come to win but the second you are off the track everyone, even direct opponents, are willing to help you build your car and give you tips on settings and such. The family component of racing is what makes racing very unique and special." She has been racing for four years and had several accomplishments. Her proudest moment was when she won her first heat race, the same day that she and her team were awarded the best appearing car and crew. "It took me along time to receive a trophy and that day I took home two. It was a great feeling."

Outside of racing Rylee is a strong advocate for a good education. She just graduated with her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. She is also an active participant at her local church, River Valley Church.

Rylee would someday love opportunity to race in any open-wheeled car series. "They are so light and so fast. There really isn't much there other then the motor, the tires and the driver. I think that would be an awesome experience." Her advice for other female drivers, "In summing up all that I have learned in my four years of racing I would have to say to young girls - not only on the topic of motor sports but in all areas if life -  don't *EVER* give up on your dreams. I promise you that a day will come when someone doesn't believe in your abilities. When that day comes, take a step back and ask yourself, 'Am I willing to let this person change the course of my life for the worst simply because they lack the dreams and strengths that I have spent my entire life building?' My hope is that the answer, for all girls who aspire to be something unique and truly special, is no. Philippians 4:13, *ALL* things are possible."

Here is a list of Rylee's Accomplishments:

*2010*:    Seventeenth in points (NASCAR Whelen Series, Raceway Park Shakopee)

*2011*:    Tenth in Points (NASCAR Whelen Series, Raceway Park Shakopee)

Attended BIR Performance Driving School

Top 100 in the Nation (NASCAR Finalist Program, All American Series Division V- Asphalt)

Interviewed by Women of the Wild Outdoor

Appeared in Shakopee Days Parade with my race car

Savage/Burnsville Local papers

Image appeared in the Star Tribune in BIR article

Modeled for Brainerd International Raceway

Featured on Race for Girls website

 *2012*:   Tenth in Points (NASCAR Whelen Series, Raceway Park Shakopee)

Top 100 in the Nation (NASCAR Program, All American Series Division V-Asphalt)

Best Appearing Car and Crew award (Raceway Park Shakopee)

Won 5 heat races, Raceway Park Shakopee

Featured in Midwest Racing Connection for heat race win

Savage/Burnsville Local papers

Attended BIR Performance Driving School

Became an instructor for the Monticello Rotary Club, Teen Accident Avoidance Class

Featured on Race for Girls website

Follow Rylee Michaelson on her Facebook Page

Finally Some Pink!!

Our New Racing Suits

Last year when we began our racing journey we looked all over for pink, purple, really anything at all that remotely was feminine in the racing suit department. We realized that without going with a custom suit, we were stuck with black. Ashlee really wasn't excited about blue, red or any of the other "boy" colors.

This year we have partnered with Axcel Sports to design suits that any girl would love. Ashlee & Aubree are so excited to get them. Dad also has plans to get them pink shoes and gloves. Just a few of the exciting new things for the 2013 race season!!

To keep up with our race team visit our website: www.OpaticRacing.com

Weekend Race Results 2/15-2/16/13 & 2/22-2/23/13

Weekend Race Results

2/15-2/16/2013

Andy Kahle made it to the quarter finals https://www.facebook.com/PokenRacing

Weekend Race Results

2/22-2/23/2013

McKinzie Culbertson clean sweep of both Heats and Feature Jr1 class Thunderdome in Marshalltown, Iowa

Driver Spotlight: Alyssa Lasater

Alyssa Lasater

Alyssa Lasater is going into her 10th year of racing. In 2003 after watching her brother race she decided she wanted to give racing a try as well. She had to make the sacrifice of giving up her other competitive sports however she felt it was well worth it. Alyssa was good enough to take the time to answer some questions.

Girls Race 2: You've been racing for over 10 years and have had many successes. What is your favorite accomplishment?

Alyssa: Oh wow, I have so many. I have two I'll share, its hard to pick. The first one, I went to my first ever National Event in Batesville, Mississippi in 2011 and i finished 5th out of 19 karts being the only female to get a podium finish that weekend. My second one, came that same year, I traveled to Emma Raceway for race number 1 in the Chain Draggone Dirt Series and I didn't start the night off on the right foot. I was under weight in the first heat race and then the second heat race we didn't have the right set up, so we went out in the feature starting last (18). I worked my way up to the field, picking people off left and right. They kart worked great, I was running 3rd with just two laps to go, I passed for second going into turn one and was still about a kart length behind the leader. I had worked so hard to get up to the front, I wasn't going to lose this race. Coming to the white flag, I got my kart up to the bumper of the leader and I knew it was a now or never move. Going into turn 3 I went high and dove down below the leader coming out of 4 and took the lead coming to the line! Was one of the greatest feelings ever, to work so hard, stay focus and be consistent and capture the win.

Girls Race 2: You are involved in racing ministries. Can you tell us a little about that?

Alyssa: Yes, I just got back from a training seminar in Charlotte, North Carolina with Motor Racing Outreach, (www.go2mro.com) A Ministry team that reaches out to the different race series around the United States. Most people have heard about MRO involved with NASCAR. I went to this ministry training to become a Motor Racing Chaplin, so I could reach out to more people in the racing community and pray for them, speak words of life in the the lost, and just to be a helpful person for anyone to come to at the race tracks, who may need prayer, advice, a hug, and even a smile. I have felt for the past couple years, God calling me to be apart of a ministry team with in my racing. So last year, I started a little ministry called Christ Driven Ministries. I spoke a couple events and did short invocations on Sunday races. This year, now since I am involved in MRO I will be reaching out to more people a crossed the United States, which i am very excited about!

Girls Race 2: How has being a girl in a boys world affected you? How have you overcome the negative treatment? Do you feel that your fellow racers respect you now?

Alyssa: It is rough, definitely a challenge. I have learned that guys take offence if they get passed or beat by a girl. I have been taking out while leading a race on the last lap because they couldn't stand to get beat by me, a female racer. I have learned to take what I can get, not to get upset when i get they start saying hateful thing about me, threaten me and take me out on the track. I just clear my head, put on my helmet, kneel down beside my kart and pray to God for safety, courage and wisdom before each and every race. Every race is a new race, go out with a positive attitude and forget about all the negative, hateful threats and just race your race. When the green flag drops, it is anyone's race. Just like everyone in this sport, we all have to earn respect from other drivers but I personally think being a female racer, it is harder to gain the respect we deserve.

Girls Race 2: You have been involved in many different sports. Do you have a favorite?

Alyssa: My favorite sport outside of racing is softball. Its so much fun to be able to go outside on a summer day or night and play on the softball diamond with a group of friends. Last year I played on a slow pitch softball team, and I loved every minute of it! Can't wait for this season to start!

Girls Race 2: Why have you chosen a career in racing?

Alyssa: Racing is a sport that gets your adrenaline going and your blood pumping. When you are out on the track going full speed, in race mode, you get this feeling that no other sport that I have participated in gives. Its hard to describe but i know that if your a racer, you understand what i am talking about. I knew when I first sat in the seat and put my helmet on, that I was gonna be a racer, I just knew I wanted a career in motorsports.  God has given me this talent for a reason. So with what God has given me, I am sharing His word and His Love with the world, by shining the light every lap I take. Plus you can meet a lot of great people, reach out to younger racers who may need your advice and help and the racing community is a Family, you don't see the love and support from the community like that in other sports.

Girls Race 2: What is your ultimate goal for your racing career?

Alyssa: My ultimate goal would be to make it to the Camping World Truck series and race my way to the top of the NASCAR divisions, and eventually be able to own my own World Of Outlaw Late Model team.

Girls Race 2: Do you have anyone in the sport of racing that you look up to?

Alyssa: I look up to the Women in Motorsports a lot. Jennifer Jo Cobb is from Kansas and I look up to her, her determination, drive, courage and her fight that she has to stand up for her self and continue to work hard with your limited budget to get out on the track each week and compete in the Camping World Truck Series. She even owns her own Truck team, now that is just Awesome!

Girls Race 2: Do you have any advice for other girls out there in the sport of racing?

Alyssa: NEVER give up, Dream big, achieve your goals and Chase after your dreams! Don't get discouraged when you don't get the finish you were looking for. Don't let the guys get to you, they can be big bullies, not want you out on the track with them and they will take you out because you intimidate them. But don't let them take you completely out of the sport. Racing is not a Male Dominated sport anymore, look and see at all the women in Motorsports  you can do it! Another thing, be your self, don't try being someone your not. Stay focused on your career, your goals and your values. Most importantly Have FUN!

Follow Alyssa Lasater on Facebook or read more about Motor Racing Outreach.

Just For Fun

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