Big R Motorsports

 

Randy Uppinghouse,"Uppy," has been around racing his entire life. The Uppinghouse name is familiar to all who have followed dirt track racing in the midwest over the last 30 years. I have had the privilege of becoming his friend over the last 6 years.

When I met Randy, we immediately found a common interest, dirt track racing. He had been "out of it" for a few years and I had never been "in it" from a driver standpoint. This was a bad combination. It was not too long before he found my first car. It was a four cylinder Hornet that had major engine issues but the price was right.  So I bought it.

It was not too long before Randy had the car running. He took me to Moberly Speedway for my first race, a high banked half mile clay fast track. It was quite a start but I ended up thirteenth. We raced a few times in the four cylinder but I began to set my sights on the hobby stock car division.

Since then we have been racing together for three years.  Boy have I gotten to know Randy. He is a very quiet person in many situations but get him around a race car and his personality comes to life.

Randy is a philosopher! I remember his philosophy about over-weight people. He believes that all people should be weighed going into McDonalds and then based on weight given a special menu. This would solve the poor eating habits of people in America.

He is relational at the track! I remember once when another driver wrecked Joe Blevin one night (in Randy's car). He kindly approached the lady expressing his concern over her driving deficiencies and how he might be able to help her out by giving her driving lessons.

He is calm and collected! Just two weeks ago when the front end of Randy's sport mod was damaged, he gently and carefully dismantled the aluminum with his bare hands. It was quite impressive. He is very strong.

Randy is encouraging! As a new driver, he is always pointing out how many people are running better and faster then me. I NEVER have to worry about pride slipping into my heart after a decent night. Tonight I chose a low line in turns three and four. He questioned my decision making process by stating that it was such a slow way around the track.  Ha!

All kidding aside, Randy has made a life dream of mine come true. I could never express in words what that has meant to me. Randy is a great example of sharing ones life and knowledge with another person for their gain and fulfillment. Thank you Buddy!!!

I ended up with my sixth top ten of the year with a 9th place finish. I qualified for the feature for the fouth time this year.  I am holding onto 5th in the points for the year. A good night to go racing.  Thanks Randy!