Racing for a Cause

Spirits were revved to rally.

Krysten Knievel's strong voice echoed the national anthem throughout Seekonk Speedway Saturday, Oct. 2, in support of the many people fighting against breast cancer.

Both novice and professional drivers buckled up for the New England Powder Puff Championship Race: Racing Against Breast Cancer. For a $25 charitable admission to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, spectators watched the races under a fall blue sky.

Among the usual fair of crowd and merchandise, pops of pink became evermore frequent.  While it was mostly a jeans and t-shirt affair, light pink and magenta made a splash of color against the tarmac; a group of friends sat watching the races with rosy-hued backs and drinks in hand. 

A pink fire truck toting the slogan, "Supporting women, raising awareness. Cares enough to wear pink" took a memorial lap around the course after a moment of silence. Once the wheels crossed the finish line, Knievel burst through the silence with song, bringing fans and racers together.

Falling in line with the drivers and her lineage, Knievel, grand-daughter of the famous daredevil, Evel Knievel, raced as number 13 in the Powder Puff division. 

Robert "Evel" Knievel of Montana (1938-2007) earned the title of American icon by enterprising his own fame. To support his family, Evel Knievel jumped his motorcycle over almost anything and everything, from rattlesnakes to cars, in a blaze of red, white, and blue glory. 

Knievel was more nervous than her grand-father admitting that her goal was to, "try not to crash." Her personally painted car was expected to careen the track at 60 mph.

The recent graduate from Northeastern Illinois University Chicago with a degree in social work was not at the speedway for either glory or attention. When asked if she uses her family's fame as a platform, she tilted down her sunglasses and responded, "I don't go around wearing red and white stripes."

Seeing friends affected by breast cancer, Knievel agreed to get involved with the event with help from a local friend from Charlestown, RI. Her positive energy was present not only in her voice and participation, but in her attitude. According to the singer, the Speedway's event was the best representation of the Northeast that she has gotten.

"I just don't want to die. . . [the other women racers] are scary."

Another novice racer known only by the name Brynn, was anxious when it came to describing her competition. Though they were part of the Powder Puff division, the drivers were far from delicate. Nerves were on edge. Also racing were the super-modified fuel-injected cars which peaked at double the women's division's maximum speeds. 

Wayne Nunes, a race car owner and weekly presence at correctly predicted the winning times and cars every time with his stop watch in hand. Now an owner of number 14 Chevy Impala, Nunes himself used to race. Unable to time his own race car this year due to the crushing economy, Nunes kept spirits up, referring to the methanol in the air as "perfume."

With a view of the event's large turnout, the charitable spirit of the day was captured when Knievel ironically quipped about her college degree.

"I did it for the money."