This shot is of Dan's "DARE ME" mower in the pits at one of our races. It is a 1970's Sears LT painted with Plum Purple/Gold/Black. He picked his racing number #42 since he was 42-years-old when he started racing. Dan started racing with us back in 1999 after seeing us in 1998 at the Columbus Motor Speedway hosting a race. He was hooked! Dan is from Westerville, Ohio. His son is his pit crew at most races! Dan has chosen to race in the AP Class division (8 HP and under).

Dan and his son are also in the process of building a drag racing mower that has a motorcycle front end and tractor back end. We have not seen it yet, but as soon as we get pictures, we'll post them!

Dan first raced with us at the OMR Gahanna Grand Prix in July, 1999. He was racing a rear-engine rider then and had an interesting way of keeping from tipping over -- he would hold one leg out on turns!! We used to tease him about it because he was a big guy (around 6 foot 4 inches) on a little mower. Now he has the "DARE ME" mower which suits him just great!

Dan is sponsored by Post Trailer Supply, Westerville Heating/Cooling, Comp Uses, Mark Anthony of Sears, and Dan's Small Engine & Used Mower Parts.

At the Auglaize County Fair on August 6, 2000, Dan finished in 5th in Class 1 (out of 5), with the top three being Greg Honchell (OH), Kary Koelliker (IN), and Trish Potenza (OH). In Class 2, Dan finished in 7th (out of 7) with 1-2-3 going to Chuck Miller (OH), Steve Barber (IN), and Greg Honchell (OH). In Class 3, Dan finished in 6th (out of 7) and the top three finishers were Chuck Miller (OH), Nate Hendricks (OH), and Greg Honchell (OH).

On August 19, 2000, Dan participated at all three STA-BIL Buckeye Regionals in Marysville, Ohio. In the first AP Class regional, Dan finished in 12th (out of 15) with the top three finishers being Kary Koelliker (IN), Mike Boris (MD), and Trish Potenza (OH). In the 2nd AP Race, Dan finished in 14th (out of 16 racers) and 1-2-3 went to Evan Billingsley (MT), Mark Boyce (GA), and Richard Dunlavy (OH). In the 3rd AP Class regional, Dan finished in 12th (out of 14) and Evan Billingsley (MT), Mark Boyce (GA), and Steve Sergent (OH) finished as the top three. Dan also had a nasty wreck on this day where his mower actually rolled over and landed on his head! But that didn't stop Dan from trying to assist everyone else get ready for the next race!

Dan attended his first Nationals event in Greenfield (Indianapolis), Indiana on September 1, 2000. There was also a regional event on the same day that he participated in. In the Prolong Regional, Dan finished in 16th position (out of 24 racers) with the top three being Kurt Schwengle (WI), Steve Sergent (OH), and Dink Strunk (AL). At the Nationals event, Dan finished in 15th position (out of 24) with 1-2-3 being Evan Billingsley (MT), Kurt Schwengle (WI), and Steve Sergent (OH).

Dan finished overall for the USLMRA 2000 Season Points Standings in 14th.

In the 2001 season, Dan attended the STA-BIL Union County Regional in Marysville, Ohio on July 28, 2001. Dan did not bring home a trophy, but did finish the race (which is half the battle)!

On August 18, 2001, was the STA-BIL Buckeye Regional held at the All Ohio Balloon Festival in Marysville, Ohio. Dan had a nasty wreck during the Heat Race and his mower actually slammed into his head. Did that knock any sense into him you ask? HA HA Even though Dan was dazed from his accident, he was still offering assistance to fellow teammates instead of taking it easy. That goes to show you what a nice guy he is. Always worried about others. Unfortunately his mower wouldn't start for the Trophy Dash.

For the 2001 Season with the USLMRA, Dan finished in 15th place out of 38 racers in the AP Class.

Dan has expanded his racing to a few different class divisions in the 2002 season. Dan always has new ideas of stuff to try, and what better way to test them out than in different divisions! Dan had a random field finish with his AP Mower ("DARE ME") in Marysville, Ohio in 7/02. Dan also participated at the Celina Lake Festival in 7/02 on his AP mower and had a random field finish. Dan raced almost every class at the All Ohio Balloon Festival in 8/02 in Marysville, Ohio, and even managed a 3rd Place trophy in the BP Class (which is a twin cylinder class and he was running single cylinder -- so he was definitely out-powered but not out-driven! He still managed a tremendous finish)! He was so funny when he crossed the finish line as he was banging on his hood with both fists showing his excitement and pride with his victory!

Dan may not have won many trophies, but his enthusiasm sure deserves the Spark and Spirit Award. He never gives up and is one of the first to offer a hand or a part to fix your mower!

Check out how Dan has done over the years......(Since 1999):