Racing team proves you're never too old to go after your dreams

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the world of dirt track racing in the metro, one team is showing that you’re never too old to go after your dreams.

Dozens of teams race every weekend during the spring and summer at Lakeside Speedway, including the team led by Don Marrs.

Marrs has raced cars for decades and after taking a break in his late teens, he formed a team with his friends years ago.

“Two of the guys are 70. One is 68. I’m the young guy. I’m just 63,” he said, laughing. “What binds us together is our friendship to start with but we all love racing.”

The team races the red #9 B-Modified car at the track Marrs now owns.

While many of the teams they race against are often younger, Marrs told 41 Action News that his team has a tight bond.

“We get along so well because we know each other so well,” he explained. “Somebody may really mess something up but it never really gets anybody out of control.”

Two of the four members are retired.

Rick Dixon serves on the pit crew and focuses on the car’s body.

“We’re known to be a good team. We’re kind of the old guys,” he explained. “We can maybe teach the new guys that you don’t have be upset or anything just because you have bad luck.”

After placing third in the preliminary race on Friday night, the team couldn’t take part in the main feature due to engine problems.

Moving forward, Don Marrs said he doesn’t expect his team’s spirit to slow down.

“We’re at the point where we can have fun doing this,” the driver explained. “If we don’t finish real well, we don’t like it but it’s okay.”