932nd Airlift Wing honored by speed racers

The National Hot Rod Association held their Midwest Nationals at the World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway Motorsports, Madison Illinois, with Lt. Col. William McLeod, 932nd Maintenance Group commander, invited to help start the event as an honored guest, Sept. 29, 2019. At left, Doug Kalitta is an American auto racing driver from Michigan and owner of the airline Kalitta Charters. Kalitta formerly raced in USAC events. He was the 1991 USAC rookie of the year in the midget series, and won the 1994 championship in the sprint car category while last year he won the season opener in Pomona, reached five final rounds, and qualified for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship for the 11th year in a row. At far right, driver Ritchie Crampton has 10 Career Wins, 12 Career Final Rounds and 329.91 miles per hour Career Best Speed. Col. McLeod was brought on stage during the opening ceremony and presented an NHRA challenge coin, and waved to the cheering crowd. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Stan Paregien)