Eric Veralrud: Growing up around racing

My father, Tim Veralrud was introduced to the racing scene by his high school friend. Even though my father’s uncle Richard was the first to race in the 50’s and 60’s and my grandfather Arden had multiple wins in demolition derbies, his interest in the sport of racing did not develop until he visited the track with friends. My father started racing when he bought his first car in the mid 80’s and then built a car with my uncle Kevin a couple years later.

Throughout the beginning of their career my dad and uncle shared cars. They would take turns driving it and would work on the car together. I spent multiple hours playing with my

cousins as our fathers wrenched on the cars. Over the years they had many different cars and

would win a race now and then. They were able to meet many of their friends they still have today by racing and shared a passion together.

As the years went on they decided to quit sharing a car and start racing separate cars. This meant more work for both of them but they were able to race every weekend instead of taking turns. Unfortunately we will never know who the better driver is because they decided to race in different classes.

Sponsorships are a big part of racing. It is an opportunity for a company to advertise themselves in a different medium. Many company owners that sponsored cars enjoyed going to the races and seeing there company on the side of a car. One sponsor that my father and uncle had for many years was Nugget Vending. Over the years they grew a strong relationship with the company owner and we would often spend some time with my family in the stands as my father was racing. They had other sponsors but Nugget Vending was my favorite because he usually brought my cousins and I a large bag of tootsie rolls during the races.

As the race season went on I would often travel with my dad to all of the tracks he went to. On Fridays we would go to the Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo and other times we would venture out of state to tracks in Minnesota and South Dakota. While I was growing up I wasn’t able to do a lot to help on the cars so I would get the small tasks of scrapping of mud and checking the tires air pressure. In the year 2000 the Wissota organization decided to drop my father’s class, which left him without a track to race at. Instead of taking the time to convert the car to another class my dad sold his car and most of his equipment. I remember feeling disappointed that it was no longer going to be a big part of my life. The next year my dad got a call from a guy with a race car that did not want to drive his car but wanted to own the car.

In the year 2001 and father started to race a Super Stock for a guy named Troy. My dad would work on the car and drive the car but he did not own it. I think it made my dad feel really

good that someone noticed his driving skills and wanted a talented driver in their car. My dad raced for Troy for one year until he got a call from a guy named Jerry. The following year my dad started racing for Jerry in another Super Stock. He raced for Jerry from 2002 until 2009. During this time He had a lot of success and fun driving Jerry’s car. I was excited to see him back in a car and doing well. It is many drivers dream to drive a car and have someone own it to take away the large portion of the expenses. My dad was one of the lucky ones that got to do this.

In 2009 my dad decided to hang up his twenty plus year racing career and spend time doing other things he enjoys. Even though he is retired from the sport he still helps my cousin and his uncle with their cars. In the summer I can assume that he will spend one night during the week or weekend at the track to support family and friends that are still racing. Every now and then he hints at getting back into a car and I would not doubt it if he someday does. His uncle Lawrence has shown him that age does not matter. I know when I decide to race that he will be excited and help me with whatever I need.

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