The 2008 Race Season is going to be full of changes for me! First off, my number is changing to the 29R! No, it’s not because I’m a Harvick fan… It’s to honor the Marshalls Creek Fire Company! My dad is a past fire chief and both of my grandfathers were members.
The 2nd big change for 2008! I’ll be running with the senior slingshots. I’ll be racing against the best slingshot racers in the country, and I can’t wait! I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from them. If you’re interested in getting involved in slingshot racing, please visit my friends at S&S Speedway.
There's no way my parents would be able to keep me in the driver's seat without the help from a few really great sponsors! I'd like to thank Frank J. Smith Jr., Inc., Professional Land Surveyors, RGB Home Builders and AJ Smith Electric Motors for being my major sponsors! I'd also like to thank Norman L. Fish Excavating, Huffman's Electric, The Frazetta Art Gallery, Marshalls Creek Chiropractic, PMA Landscaping, Schnatter's Auto Body, Wiz-Haul Trucking, Ken's Auto & Towing, Cory Lyon Landscaping, Homestead Vinyl Fence & Rail and Moeller Construction for all sticking with me over the last 6 years! New sponsors this year are Canfield's Pet & Farm and Four Seasons Restaurant & Diner! I also have to thank Bill at Future Signs for making my car look great and Kim Roselli for keeping my website updated! I also need to thank Nan & Pop Rode for keeping me stocked up on all that great Car Quest stuff!
Last year, I raised over $2000 for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and I plan on continuing to support the kids. Nothing makes me feel better than to know I’ve helped someone. St. Jude’s has a 98% survival rate now for children diagnosed with certain forms of Leukemia! That’s awesome, but until it’s 100% for every type of cancer….. I’m going to keep raising money for them! They say that 2 out of every 250 children will be diagnosed with some form of cancer every year. Please help me to help them!
I hope to see you at the races!!!
Kyle “Hot Rod” Rode
Congratulations to Ben Whitaker for winning the Hamlin Speedway Slingshot Championship! Talk about a nail biter! Only 9 points separated him from runner up Shannon Smith (congrats to her for winning the season finale!). Going into the last race only 50 point separated the top 5! I finished out my rookie year with a 12th in the points battle. I also want to congratulate all the other "rookies" at Hamlin! Mark "The Spark" Berkenstock, Mack Brink and Emily VanInwegen! Special thanks to Randy and Denise Smith for al the hard work you put into Hamlin Speedway and for allowing me to continue my efforts for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!
