Stock Car Racing: It's in the Family

Bellmorite Bill Wegmann, 66, enjoys the thrill of the ride. When he pulls himself into the front seat, tightens his belts and secures his helmet, there is one goal in mind — get to the finish line before everyone else.

That has been the stock car racer's goal since he first started at Freeport Raceway in 1965, and not much has changed.

"You need to be focused," Wegmann said. "So much concentration goes into it. You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times."

Wegmann, 66, has called Riverhead Raceway his second home since 1986, and his family has followed him into the lanes. Wegmann's son, Bill Jr., 43 and stepson, Ray Shannon, 48, have joined him on the racetrack for competition. Wegmann, Jr.'s two sons, Jason and Derek, are also getting their feet wet in racing.

"NASCAR has always been about the family legacy," Shannon said. "It's been that way since its inception."

For Wegmann, Sr., there's nothing like watching his son teach his grandsons the ins and outs of the track.

"I watch my son with his kids," Wegmann said. "It reminds me of me with my boys."

Nicknamed the "Racing Great-Grandpa," Wegmann won his first race in 1967 in Freeport and remembers one thing in particular.

"There was no photographer there," Wegmann said. "Usually, we get a picture when we win, but not that time."

Wegmann moved to Bellmore in 1993, and his family has played a large role in the Bellmore community. His stepdaughter Dianna currently drives an ambulance, and his wife Eilleen worked as an EMT. His other stepdaughter Jennifer was a firefighter as well.

Wegmann thanks his mechanical job at the air mail facility of the U.S. Postal Service for keeping him in shape and mechanically inclined. He is able to do most of the work on the car himself to keep the cost of maintenance to between $4-5,000 per season. There are cash rewards for winning races, but, according to Wegmann, "you wouldn't break even if you won every race."

Wegmann's favorite race was his first Riverhead win in 1997, because his wife Eileen, was there to take the picture with him.

"That was my biggest thrill in racing," Wegmann said. "Nothing else comes close."

At age 66, Wegmann knows that he has to take all precautions when he enters a race. Besides the helmet, seat belt and fire suit, Wegmann's car is equipped with a rolling cage and a hans device to provide some extra protection to his neck.

"Safety is the most important thing," Wegmann said. "The old neck isn't what it used to be."

Although the days are long and the process becomes routine, there is only one thing that keeps Wegmann from walking away.

"I just love the fun of it," Wegmann said. "And I don't plan to stop anytime soon."