Racing to Interview with Greg Gunderson
Posted on: November 1, 20082 Comments
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“The word ‘racing’…..equal to ‘happiness’!” Viable truck driver Darryl signed firmly, as if the concept was law and not to be argued with. The rest of the DeafNation crew stole glances at each other, grinning at Darryl’s overly-enthusiastic fondness for anything on wheels. Darryl’s pace quickened, and everyone quickened to catch up with him as well.
“Gee, I can’t tell who’s most excited,” chuckled our RV driver Shawn, pointing at Darryl. Laughing, we all turned to face Darryl, who was busy shrugging his NASCAR jacket on over his DeafNation polo shirt, carefully picking lint off his coat.
But then again, what did we expect? Darryl loves cars, and we were going to meet racer Greg Gunderson, known in the Deaf community – and the Midwest racing community – as one of the best racers in sprint car racing – and Deaf, too.
As visions of checkered flags and gleaming trophies danced in Darryl’s head, we walked up the steps to Gunderson’s South Dakota home. Welcoming us inside, Gunderson didn’t wait long to pop in a DVD, which featured advertisement-clad cars whizzing across the screen, dust flying behind them.
Watching for a few moments – then wandering away from Gunderson and the DeafNation crew, all of whom were glued to the television – Erica motioned for me to follow her into a smaller room adjacent to the den we were in.
Wondering what it was that caught her eye, I trailed behind her, peeking into the room. I was quick to detect the intrigue: trophies and plaques lined the walls and shelves. Photographs – new and old – were placed side by side, featuring Gunderson with various combinations of cars, beautiful women, grinning crowds, and trophies.
Gunderson entered the room behind us, glowing proud as he looked around. Walking over to pull off a black-and-white photograph from the wall, Gunderson narrated how he got into racing. “My parents actually met at a race – both sides of my family raced…it’s in the blood,” he winked, pointing at a handsome young man standing by a car. “My grandfather,” Gunderson signed. Dubbing his grandfather as his biggest influence, the then-young Gunderson would play make-believe in his grandfather’s 1939 Chevy when he wasn’t busy watching his races (this is also why Gunderson’s racecar number is always 39). When Gunderson turned six, he started racing: ATVs, motorcycles, and the like – and it wasn’t long before he soon graduated to cars.
After years of dabbling with different types of racing, Gunderson finally found his true love: sprint car racing. When asked what his best memory was, the racer laughed. “Easy question!”: It was 1990. Gunderson had a big race – this particular race only happened every two years: one run on Wednesday, and another on Sunday.
Wednesday came, and Gunderson’s racing was off. Gunderson’s owner was none too pleased, but waited to see how the racer performed in a different race on Friday. Friday proved to be a repeat of Wednesday, which led the owner to declare that Gunderson was not to race on Sunday. Set in his decision – and escaping to a fishing trip – Gunderson was left alone with just his uncle, his crew also taking off per the owner’s request.
But something that day compelled Gunderson to ignore his owner’s wishes. Making the decision to race on Sunday – and working with his uncle in getting his car prepared, Gunderson entered the race. Coming in third for the first heat, he became excited, but was careful not to be too overly-optimistic. Once the race started, Gunderson took the lead….and held it. Paralyzed by the realization, his hands stayed frozen on the wheel, holding his lead, until he saw the final flags come down, announcing that the race was over…
…and that he was the winner!
But the best feeling ever, Gunderson remarked, was when he emerged from his car to see fans on their feet – not clapping with applause, but instead, waving their arms – honoring the Deaf racer with the appropriate congratulations.
“I believed I could do it…so many people didn’t think I could. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut, and believe you can do it…and you will succeed,” signed Gunderson, both index fingers hanging in the air, pointing skyward. “You will succeed.”
To learn more about Greg Gunderson, you can go to www.gundersonracing.com!
November 14th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Hey Greg! I’m very proud of your accomplishments in your racing days lately! I hope that you go beyond expectation in racing more than anyone knows. don’t let any one stop you from doing that because we deaf community knows that any one can race, it have to come from your heart and from the the sponsors to race the cars. without them u are nothing! I admire of your experience and enthusiasm that you go far beyond to race of your dreams! keep your hands on the wheel and finish the winning line for yourself and for the deaf community of the deaf world wide!
December 15th, 2009 at 11:31 am
This article is about a young man and his dream to be a racer. He doesn’t let his “disability” get in his way. He dreams and works hard and believes in himself. He doesn’t let anything get in his way. He strives for success and gets where he wants to no matter what.
I loved this article personally. I can really relate to how Greg Gunderson feels about racing cars. He says, “The word ‘racing’…..equal to ‘happiness’!”. I feel the same way as Gunderson feels! To him racing isn’t about the fame that he gets from it, it’s the excitement and the success. I respect him for that because to me he isn’t pretending to be something he’s not-he is himself! He is proving to everyone in the world that just because you’re deaf doesn’t mean you can’t do anything.
Driving is a hard task to do, most people depend on his/her hearing. But Gunderson doesn’t, he believes in himself and I believe that is one of the most important things in racing. He signed, “I believed I could do it…so many people didn’t think I could. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut, and believe you can do it…and you will succeed,”. This statement is a wonderful one! Greg Gunderson and I are just alike. When I started racing I said almost the same thing.
Gunderson said that racing was in his blood, that both sides of his family raced. He got into racing because of his biggest influence, his grandfather. Gunderson use to play make-believe in his grandfathers car pretending to race. I too got into racing because of my family. My uncle-and my biggest influence, was the one who introduced me into racing. Just like Gunderson, I grew up around it. But unlike him I started racing at an older age, I didn’t start racing at the age of six, I was twice his age before I started.
When Gunderson talks about racing his whole body and soul, his whole face lights up when talking about racing and his trophies as well as awards and his success, mine does too. He says that the best feeling ever was when he got out of his car after winning a race and the “crowd wasn’t clapping for him but waving his/her arms and honoring the Deaf racer with his appropriate congratulations.” I can understand how he feels in a way. I feel very pleased when I too get applaud but with his it was more meaningful.