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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!

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1. Deaf Night at the Races by CSDVRS
2. RIT Campus Tour, an Interview with NTID President Dr. Hurwitz, and Social Night with RRCD!
3. DWOW Interview
4. Sleepless in Seattle!
5. ESPN Tour!
6. There's No Place like Home
7. In Hot Water: Hot Springs in Northern California!
8. Our Columbus Colony Visit!
9. Deaf Female Motocross Racer Breaks Barrier
10. Hitting the Road: Day 1!