(June 7, 2016) Dustin Tucker, Jacob Logan and Ian Rasmussen are all racing at Speedway 660 this summer. Their fathers Shawn, Bradley and Glenn are all racing legends, having won multiple championships and lots of big races. In this week’s Conversation we talk with Ian about following in the footsteps of a famous Dad. 

A Conversation with Ian Rasmussen

Wade: Hey Ian, I remember seeing you and your sister when you were just little, cheering for your Dad here at Speedway 660. Take us back in time. What was it like as a kid coming down from New Denmark every week to watch your Dad race?

Ian: To tell the truth,I don’t remember a lot about the track back then but I do remember the long drives, late nights and certainly the heat on those hot summer nights. I also remember cheering for my Dad, waving from the fence and looking forward for him to wave back, and going on the track when he had a top three finish. I was always so proud and excited about my Dad and his racing that when I went to school in the fall I told everyone about Speedway 660 and how much fun we had there all summer. Here’s Glenn Rasmussen and his awesome crew from back in the day. Back then Glenn was tearing up Speedway 660, winning races and championships! 

Wade: Your father’s accomplishments are well documented. Four pro stock championships and he was certainly one of the most dominate drivers we’ve ever seen here.

Ian: Yes I know what those championship trophies look like! Those are certainly big shoes to fill, but I’m 15 years old and right now I want to get some seat time and earn the respect of the other drivers in the Re/Max Group Four Realty Pro Stock Division. In time I hope to be as competitive as he was, but right now I don’t have the seat time and experience to put the Big Black Dodge up front every week.It sure is good to see the Big Black Dodge from New Denmark back at Speedway 660. Its a big learning curve for 15 year old Ian Rasmussen, but three weeks into his pro stock career the youngster is doing just fine.    

Wade: I`m sure you and your Dad talked a lot before you decided to get into the car. What are your goals for the 2016 season?

Ian: Actually, last summer while we were racing at Spuds and it was time for the pro stocks to practice, out of the blue Dad told me to get in the car and give it a go. He didn’t have to tell me twice! So that was my first experience. I didn’t wreck the car, so after that we began talking about me driving the pro stock. We both knew it was a big step up from my four cylinder ride, but we both wanted to take on the challenge.  Our goals are to improve every week, become as competitive as we can, earn the respect of the veterans and of course not tear the car to pieces.

Wade: You mention respect. Every young driver I’ve talked to says it’s important to earn the respect of the veteran drivers. So what do you think you and the other young drivers have to do to earn that respect?

Ian: I think to gain respect from veteran drivers the rookies need to race hard but not overdrive their cars. We’ve got to hold our line on the track and try not to hold up the leaders if we’re about to go down a lap. We’ve got to learn as much as possible from all of the great veterans who race at 660. And we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for a little advice. Speedway 660 has one of the best weekly pro stock divisions in eastern North America. Ian is a bright young man with a lot of potential and he has an incredible mentor, so don’t be surprised to see this youngster run up front sometime soon.

Wade: There are very few Dodge short track race cars. George Jamieson has been racing one for years in the Martins Home Heating Sportsman Division and you are driving the Big Black Dodge in pro stock. What does it mean to you to carry the Dodge colours?

Ian: For as long as I can remember our family has owned and loved Dodges.  I couldn’t imagine racing anything different. The black and green Dodge is  synonymous with the Rasmussen name and I wouldn’t change it for anything.  I can’t believe all the people that have come over to see us in the pits. Many of them are Dodge fans and most of them remember Dad and want to say hello to him and welcome us back to the Geary Woods. Hanscom’s Auto Body sponsored my Dad for years and as soon as they found out we were coming back to 660, they offered to support us again. I want to thank them and our other sponsors T&J Teeth Whitening, Vance’s Auto Sales and Vaughn Rasmussen & Son Trucking. Without their generous support we wouldn’t be able to go racing every week.They look more like brothers than father & son! Ian (right) and Glenn are really happy to be back at Speedway 660 and we’re excited to see the 81 back in the Re/Max Group Four Realty Pro Stock Division. 

Wade: Driving a race car is the fun part, but there’s a whole lot of work that goes into preparing the car to race. We know your Dad is great in the shop, but how are you doing in that area?

Ian: Although I’m still learning, it’s safe to say that I’ve gained a lot of knowledge in the shop just by listening, watching and doing. At 13 years old I wanted to start racing and Dad told me that there was more to racing than just driving. I needed to learn everything about the car and to understand all the hours and hard work that are required to be successful in racing. So, for the last two years I have worked alongside my Father absorbing everything and anything I can about race cars. I’m the luckiest kid at 660!The year was 2007 and back then we were known as New Brunswick International Speedway. Glenn Rasmussen (center), Brian Gillespie (right) and Mike Francis (left) were crowned our pro stock, sportsman and street stock champs. That was Glenn’s fourth title. He also won the pro stock championship in 2000, 03 and 05! 

Wade: You are fifteen years old, which is pretty young to be wheeling a pro stock car around a race track. What are some of the challenges you are facing in your rookie season?

Ian: Well it’s a brand new track for me, because I haven’t driven here before. I raced four cylinders up north, so the pro stock is a whole new car. You’ve got Lonnie Sommerville, Dave O’Blenis, Greg Fahey, Kevin Moore, Matt Harris and a lot of other incredible drivers that I’ve got to race against. So it’s all pretty new to me and I’m just trying to get the lay of the land right now, but everyone has been really kind and supportive of what we’re trying to do.Greg Fahey is a three time Re/Max Group Four Pro Stock champion. He’s just one of several incredible pro stock drivers that Ian Rasmussen and the other pro stock rookies get to race with every week.

Wade: You obviously love being involved in racing, but what else do you like to do, especially during our long off-season?

Ian:  I’m still in high school and when I’m not racing or working on the car I like to play hockey, soccer and volleyball. I also am into cross country running. All of those things help keep me in shape for driving the race car.

Wade: Thanks for doing this Ian and best of luck to you this season. You certainly have a great teacher and mentor who just happens to be your Dad. I’m sure that is going to be a big plus in your development as a race car driver.

Ian: I’m excited to be racing at Speedway 660. I know my Dad made a lot of history here and I’m excited to see him back in the pits talking with the other drivers, pit crew members and fans. My Dad has fond memories of all the people he’s met, and his accomplishments.  I’m looking forward to making my own memories and successes during my racing career.