Published: May 13, 2008 12:32 am            

Family works together on track

Very few people can take their family photo in the pits at the local race track, but that is just what Michael Meek did Saturday night as he joined his cousins and uncles for a special shot which will adorn their racing T-shirts this season.

“My whole family races, it is a tradition with us,” said Meek. “Racing is in my blood, I was hooked the first time I got into a race car.”

Racing stock cars appears to be a rite of passage with the young Bohnstedt men in Hennessey. Seven men lined up in the pits for the family snap shot. Not only do they race together on Saturday nights, they hang out in the garage and work on each other’s quick rides during the week.

“I share a shop with Logan and Gary Macy,” said Meek. “We are over there six or seven days a week. I do all the work on this car and my grandpa does the motor work.”

In fact this 25-year-old driver is continuing the family ritual as he embarks on his sophomore season in the competitive pure stock division aboard his fast purple No. 3 Monte Carlo. His grandfather, Dewayne Bohnstedt, reigned on the local oval, winning several track championships during his time aboard his own purple No. 3 car.

“Two years ago I came out at the end of the season in my uncle Harvey Bohnstedt’s car and drove for a few races at the end of the season,” said Meek. “My Grandpa Dwayne bought this car the next year and I’ve drove it ever since. Purple is the only color my grandpa will run and it has to have the No. 3 on it.”

Only in his second season on the high-banked track, Meek is no stranger to competition. According to the young rival, he has played sports all his life and always has been competitive. Meek led his high school baseball team to two state championships and played during college at Carl Albert State College.

“I’ve always been competitive in anything I do,” said Meek. “When the green flag waves everything leaves my mind except racing and it is rush time.”

Dirt Performance, Midstate Oilfield Machine, Platinum Tire Service and Friends Bar of Hennessey sponsor Meek’s fast’73 Monte Carlo. Kraziee Graphics did the vinyl work. Loyal crew members include his cousin Logan Macy, grandpa Dewayne Bohnstedt, uncle Gary Macy and the Bohnstedt family.

“I want to thank Dewayne Bohnstedt, Logan, Gary and all my sponsors,” said Meek. “Logan helps me out a lot. We communicate about the track, what it is doing and the preferred line every Saturday night.”

The family lineage and mentorship have paid off. Meek posted six “A” feature wins during his rookie season and has already made his way to the winner’s circle three times this season.

“My goal is to win the championship,” said Meek. “We tried to win last year, but had a lot of bad luck. This year I’m shooting for consistency every week.”