It could quite possibly run in the blood when it comes to
having the need for speed. For William Wegmann, his son Ray
Shannon and grandson Jason Wegmann it absolutely does.
On July 24, 2009, it marked a historic day for a family from a
small town on Long Island. This hot summer night was the first
time that Bill Wegmann was able to have three generations of his
family competing in the same race.
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William Wegmann did not earn his greatly know alias for any
old reason. “The Racing Grandpa” began his run a long while back
at the Freeport Raceway. When the track closed he moved on and
began burning rubber on the Islip Speedway. Since moving on from
there The Green Machine, the big number 79, carries not only a
familiar face, but a legend at the Riverhead Raceway.
His son, former 2 time open modified go kart racing champion,
Racin’ Ray Shannon, began his career at the track 3 years ago.
He traveled with a busch team for one year as a front tire
changer after moving to North Carolina to pursue his life long
dream. When Racin’ Ray decided that his wife and three daughters
were more important then his own dream he moved back to New York
and began racing at Riverhead. This blunderbust racing speed
demon runs the track piloting the black and red, number 64. He
won his first race in only his second season and finished in the
top three several times.
The new arrival, Wegmann’s sixteen year old grandson, now known
as Racin’ Jason Wegmann, gave it a go at the track for the first
time on this memorable night. Coming from a racing background,
not only of his family members, but his own, Wegmann has 2
championships in the N.E. Speedway Pavement Series and several
WKA Gold Eagle trophies under his belt.
These three guys not only raced together, but they all finished
in the top ten. The Racing Grandpa landed in 4th place, Racin’
Ray following in 7th and Jason, in the 10th spot. Proving the
fact that it not only runs in the blood, but it burns on the
track.
Source: Wegmann Racing
Posted: July 28, 2009
