For most Phys Planters, June 12 was just a regular Friday. For Dakota Carlson, crafts worker III, it was a special day. He won first place in a 100-lap/40-mile car race, claiming the $2,500 prize.

The race, the first East vs. West Shootout 100, was held in Birch Run, Mich., and featured 22 drivers. At 22 years old, Carlson was the youngest competitor on the track.

Carlson, who works on the roofing crew under Skilled Trades Supervisor Budd Pulver, got his start racing go-karts with his father and brother. Eventually, they moved on to cars, and even won a race a year ago.

“We won the Firecracker at Auto City Speedway last year,” said Carlson.

According to Carlson, racing has proven an expensive habit. "Every time we take the car to the track, we spend $1,000," he said. He is currently working to pay off the debt on his race car.

Carlson said stress naturally accompanies car races.

“There’s always a lot of pressure on you to perform," he said. "You want to make your sponsors happy, and there is also the pressure you put on yourself to do well.”

Carlson is not the only Phys Planters interested in car racing.

“Budd goes to the races a lot,” said Carlson. “There are also a couple of guys on the crew that are pretty into it.”

July 2, 2009