http://www.rockrapidsspeedway.com/

Rapid Speedway, 400 S Tama Street, Rock Rapids, IA (2026)

11/13/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: CHANDLER MEIBURG | #22 🏁

From growing up in the grandstands to celebrating his first career wins at Rapid Speedway, racing has always been part of Chandler Meiburg’s life!

Chandler grew up going to the races just about every week, and now, five years into his own racing career, he’s making memories of his own behind the wheel of the #22 Sportsman!

And what a season 2026 turned out to be! Chandler picked up his first TWO career wins at Rapid Speedway and finished 4th in the Sportsman points standings! 🏆

🏁 LOOKING BACK AT 2026

Those first two wins were certainly highlights, but one of Chandler’s most memorable moments happened long before the green flag dropped.

After blowing an engine the previous week, Chandler and his crew got to work late Thursday night, determined to get the #22 back on the track.

What followed was an ALL-NIGHT engine rebuild! 🔧

By approximately 4:30 Friday morning, they had the engine rebuilt, installed, and running. And somehow, after being up all night, they STILL made it to Rapid Speedway to race that evening!

Now THAT is dedication! 💪

The season wasn’t without its challenges, though. Finding consistency at the front of the field and drawing favorable starting positions proved difficult at times.

After early-season troubles even caused the team to miss a race, finishing in the top five in points became a goal they were determined to achieve.

And they did just that!

❤️ THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE #22

Chandler gives a lot of credit to his pit crew: Petey, Jerry, Aaron, and his dad.

Through mechanical troubles, long nights in the shop, and everything else the season threw their way, these guys never gave up.

That determination helped turn a challenging start into a fourth-place points finish and two trips to Victory Lane!

😂 BEHIND THE HELMET

🎨 Something fans might not know? Chandler’s race car is almost entirely HAND-PAINTED with a brush each season! No wrap needed for the #22!

🤣 Who gives him the hardest time in the pits? Herman Kessler!

Apparently, Herman is convinced Chandler and his crew keep stealing his tow straps. And he doesn’t let Chandler forget that he’s racing an “open-wheel” car against him, either! 😂

We have a feeling there’s never a dull moment when these two are around!

🏁 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

Chandler is ready to get back behind the wheel and build on the momentum his team found toward the end of the season.

The goal? More consistent finishes, continued improvement, and hopefully a few more trips to Victory Lane!

👏 THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

Central Heating and Air • Shari’s Kitchen and Catering • Trendz Salon • Peterson Construction • Haack Farms • Meiburg Farms

Thank you, Chandler, for being part of the Rapid Speedway racing family! Congratulations on your first two career wins and a great fourth-place finish in points! We can’t wait to see what 2027 brings for the #22!

11/10/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: TANNER KOSTER | 🏁

Racing has always been part of life for Tanner Koster! With a dad who’s been racing for as long as he can remember, it was only a matter of time before Tanner found himself behind the wheel.

His first taste of racing came around 2010, when he was just 13 years old and got behind the wheel of one of his dad’s cars. After a season racing front-wheel drives in 2017, Tanner eventually made the move to B-Mods, where he’s now completed six years of full-time competition.

And in his very first season racing weekly at Rapid Speedway, Tanner brought home a 5th-place finish in the 2026 B-Modified points standings! 🏁

🏆 LOOKING BACK AT 2026

One of Tanner’s favorite moments of the season came at the Mulder Memorial, where he finished 2nd against a tough field of competitors!

With the level of competition that race attracts, having a legitimate shot at the win was a big accomplishment.

But the season wasn’t without its challenges.

Bent and broken parts caused headaches early on, and the team discovered issues they hadn’t realized were affecting the car’s performance. Those setbacks put them behind during the first couple months of the season.

For Tanner, finishing fifth in points was something he hadn’t expected when the season began.

After struggling at Rapid Speedway in previous years, he knew how tough the weekly competition could be. To finish among the top five in his first full season racing here, even after missing a night, meant a lot!

❤️ THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE

When asked who played the biggest role in helping him through the season, Tanner didn’t hesitate.

His wife, Allison! ❤️

Whether it meant staying up half the night after a wreck to get the car ready for the next race or welding something just five minutes before they needed to leave, Allison was right there making sure the was ready to go.

Tanner says he absolutely couldn’t compete or be successful without her!

And then there’s Dad. 😂

When asked who gives him the hardest time in the pits, Tanner says his dad is always telling him, “Just go win it and you don’t have to worry about anything!”

He’ll even joke that Tanner looked slow or ask why he didn’t drive harder.

But Tanner knows there’s a reason behind the teasing. His dad believes in his ability to compete with anyone and pushes him to be the best driver he can be.

😂 BEHIND THE HELMET

🚛 Something fans might not know? Tanner earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from USD, but these days he makes his living driving a semi!

🪒 Race-day superstition? In Tanner’s words, “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” 😂 And shaving on race day is definitely NOT happening!

💬 Three words his crew would use to describe him? Hardworking. Generous. Focused.

🏁 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

Tanner is hoping to build on everything his team learned this season and come back even stronger next year.

And there’s one goal he’s especially determined to accomplish:

His FIRST feature win at Rapid Speedway! 🏆

After coming so close at the Mulder Memorial, we’re excited to see what the can do in 2027!

👏 THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

Renner Corner Meats • Safari Bar and Grill • Jaks Custom Rods • Impact Landscape and Design • Cole Papers • Josten Concrete • Jay Schmidt Real Estate • Gambler Motor Club

Thank you, Tanner, for being part of the Rapid Speedway racing family! We can’t wait to see what 2027 brings for you and the !

📸 Photo credits: Kari Jurrens, Cody Papke

11/07/2026

🏁 YOUR TRACK. YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR VOICE. 🏁

We’re excited to share that a group of business marketing students from Dordt University has chosen Rapid Speedway as the focus of a class project!

As part of their project, they’ve developed a short survey, and we’re asking our racing community to help them out!

Whether you’re a longtime fan, driver, crew member, sponsor, or someone who’s only joined us for a race or two, we’d love to hear from you!

Your participation will not only help these students gain valuable real-world experience, but also provide us with valuable insight as we continue looking toward the future of Rapid Speedway.

⏱️ It takes less than 5 minutes, but your input can make a difference!

📝 Take the survey here:
https://forms.gle/tR14iQiiXX8WZUDu8

We appreciate these students choosing Rapid Speedway for their project, and we’d love to see our racing community show up and support their efforts!

Thank you for being part of the Rapid Speedway family! 🏁

11/06/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: HUNTER HANSON | 🏁

It all started with a box of trophies in Grandpa and Grandma’s basement! 🏆

When Hunter Hanson was just 10 years old, he stumbled across a box of his dad’s old racing trophies while playing at his grandparents’ house. He took them home, told his family he wanted to race, and just ONE WEEK later, they had a race car!

Fast forward seven racing seasons, and at just 16 years old, Hunter is making a name for himself behind the wheel of the Sprint Car!

Hunter wrapped up the 2026 season 3rd in Rapid Speedway’s IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car points standings! 🏁

🏆 LOOKING BACK AT 2026

One of Hunter’s biggest highlights of the season came on the national stage, where he earned a top-10 finish at the RaceSaver Sprint Car Nationals!

But even with that accomplishment, Hunter admits his biggest challenge was not always meeting his own expectations.

Finishing third in points at Rapid Speedway means the world to him, and when we asked what that accomplishment meant, he made sure the credit didn’t stop with himself.

“It means the world to me; it just shows the commitment that not only I but also my team have.”

❤️ FAMILY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Hunter credits his dad as the person who played the biggest role in getting him through the season.

His dad has been there from the beginning, and Hunter says he’s always there for him, no matter what.

And then there’s his little sister! 😂

When asked who gives him the hardest time in the pits, Hunter’s answer was pretty simple.

If he doesn’t finish in the top five, according to his sister, he “did bad!”

Nothing like a little sibling motivation! 🤣

😂 BEHIND THE HELMET

🔧 Something fans might not know? At just 16 years old, Hunter handles his entire race-day maintenance routine and car setup himself!

🍗 Race-day superstition? NEVER eat chicken on race day! Apparently, chicken is officially off the menu until the racing is over!

💬 Three words his crew would use to describe him? Dedicated. Smart. Hard-working.

🏁 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

Hunter isn’t content to simply repeat this year’s success.

His goal for 2027 is to keep improving and become a driver who’s consistently in contention to win on any given night.

With seven seasons already under his belt at just 16 years old, there’s plenty of racing ahead for the !

👏 THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

Janzen Trucking • Wassenaar Ag Supply • Heser Auto & Detailing Inc. • Lakes Glass, LLC • Hanson Enterprises LLC • GDF Enterprises, Inc. • Southwest Broadband • Kozy Heat Fireplaces • Grein Trucking • Dudley’s Garage - Restaurant & Bowling • Cranston Construction • AJ Lusk • Redman Auto Body Garage • Haggies Mini Storage • Sojo Coffee Company • BPS Builders Paint Solutions • Ricky Thornton Jr Racing • Last Deck Decking • Brad’s Garage • Exit Reality - Melody Janzen • Plumb Supply Company • Carz Central • JNC Electric • Full Tilt Performance • Schley Farms • Condon Daycare • Hanson Farms • Liepold Farms • Hoogies Garage • JIM • ARYAL • RTR Racing Engines • Inferno Armor • K1 RaceGear • Eyekandy Design Studio

Thank you, Hunter, for being part of the Rapid Speedway racing family! We can’t wait to see what 2027 has in store for you and the !

📸 Photo credits: Carter Hibma & Fowlds Media

11/03/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: ALEX HEMMINGSON | #1 🏁

Born into a racing family, but didn’t climb behind the wheel until he was 30! Meet Alex Hemmingson, driver of the #1 Sportsman and our 5th-place finisher in the 2026 Rapid Speedway points standings!

With his dad, Paul, racing throughout his childhood, Alex grew up around the sport. But when he finally decided to give racing a shot himself, he didn’t just buy a car and hit the track. He built his own!

Now five years into his racing career, Alex continues to chase the thrill of competition and that elusive first feature win.

🏆 LOOKING BACK AT 2026

One of Alex’s favorite moments of the season was bringing home a 2nd-place finish in the Sportsman Special!

While 2026 didn’t bring quite the same success he enjoyed in 2025, finishing in the top five in points was still something to be proud of.

For Alex, that fifth-place finish represents a season of running strong alongside a great group of competitive cars.

❤️ THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE #1

Alex credits his wife, Sam, and his dad, Paul, for being two of his biggest supporters, along with everyone else who’s jumped in to lend a hand throughout the season.

And then there’s the VanderWeide crew! 😂

When asked who gives him the hardest time in the pits, Alex didn’t hesitate. Apparently, the trash talk goes on ALL night!

But underneath all that friendly harassment is a group that’s always willing to help each other when it matters.

😂 BEHIND THE HELMET

🔧 Something fans might not know? Alex didn’t start racing until he was 30, and he built his own race car!

🍔 Race-day routine? No eating after lunch until the racing is done for the night!

💬 Three words his crew would use to describe him? Serious. Helpful. Smart@$$. 😂

🏁 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

The goal is simple: Get that first feature win! 🏆

Alex is heading into another season with his sights set on finally making that trip to Victory Lane. And after a runner-up finish in the Sportsman Special, you know he’s hungry for it!

👏 THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

Backhaus Excavation and Underground • Willy’s Hobby Shop • Custom Trailer

Thank you, Alex, for being part of the Rapid Speedway racing family! We’re looking forward to seeing what 2027 brings for the #1!

10/30/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: CAMERON JURRENS | 🏁

From growing up around the racetrack to competing against some of the best Hobby Stock drivers in the nation, Cameron Jurrens has spent his life surrounded by racing!

Now in his fifth year behind the wheel, Cameron wrapped up the 2026 season with a 5th-place finish in Rapid Speedway's Hobby Stock points standings!

🏁 2026 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Cameron’s most memorable moment came when he finally earned that top-five feature finish he’d been chasing!

Running 11th, he worked his way past SIX cars in just TWO laps to finish 5th! That’s the kind of drive you don’t forget!

But getting there wasn’t easy.

One of Cameron’s biggest challenges was a stretch of three consecutive weeks without finishing a race. Between the frustration of DNFs and the work it took to get the car ready again, it was a tough stretch.

Through it all, his parents were right there beside him, helping make repairs, keeping him encouraged, and getting the ready to race another Friday night.

Finishing in the top five in Rapid Speedway points means the world to Cameron, especially knowing the level of competition in the Hobby Stock division.

❤️ FAMILY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Cameron credits both of his parents for helping him push through the difficult weeks this season.

And then there’s Grandpa! 😂

When asked who gives him the hardest time in the pits, Cameron didn’t hesitate. According to Grandpa, there’s always something that could be done better!

But behind all that constructive criticism is someone Cameron looks up to as a role model and appreciates for always being willing to help.

😂 BEHIND THE HELMET

🏎️ Something fans might not know? Cameron has experienced a NASCAR ride-along at Daytona International Speedway!

👕 Race-day superstition? He has to wear the SAME T-shirt to the races every Friday!

💬 Three words his crew would use to describe him? Always. Wanting. More.

And after the season he had, those three words seem pretty fitting!

🏁 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

Cameron is excited about running an open motor next season! After five years of racing and and a competitive drive to push himself against tough competition, he’s looking forward to what the can accomplish in 2027.

👏 THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

New Century Press • Trendz Salon • Redline Wraps • Frontier Bank • Valley Excavating • Lyon Co Chiropractic • DK Flowers & Crafts • Ollerich Cattle Co • CJ Concrete • LVO Mfg • Denekas Electric • Northwest Mfg • Zacharias Construction Inc • AdvantageRacing.tv • Borman Racing • Robert Person Farms • Andresen Farms • Charlotte’s Daycare • Roger Person Farms • Ben’s Repair & Powerwashing • Dave Mulder 4 Foundation

Thank you, Cameron, for being part of the Rapid Speedway racing family! We can’t wait to see what 2027 brings for the !

📸: Kari Jurrens, Jamie Laine Photography, & Fowlds Media

10/27/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: JACKSON MULDER | #4 🏁

Seven years behind the wheel, a family tradition of racing, and a pit crew that’s apparently been fired from redraw duties. 😂 Meet Jackson Mulder!

Racing has been part of Jackson’s life since he was a little kid, growing up around the sport with his dad and grandpa. Now, with four years in a B-Mod and three years in a Stock Car under his belt, he’s continuing that family tradition in the #4.

🏆 2026 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

There’s nothing quite like kicking off a racing season with a win, and that’s exactly what Jackson did on opening night at Rapid Speedway!

For Jackson, taking the checkered flag in dramatic fashion and feeling that rush again made it his most memorable moment of 2026.

But not everything went quite as smoothly this season.

Their biggest challenge? The redraw! While they managed to start near the front a couple of times, apparently most of the pit crew lost their drawing privileges along the way. 😂

Despite the challenges, Jackson wrapped up the season 3rd in Stock Car points at Rapid Speedway!

For him, a top-five finish is a reminder that all the hard work throughout the season paid off.

🔧 BEHIND EVERY RACE CAR IS A GREAT CREW

When asked who played the biggest role in getting him through the season, Jackson didn’t hesitate to recognize Grandpa Leon.

It’s the little things Leon does behind the scenes, week after week, that make a big difference in keeping the #4 competitive.

😂 BEHIND THE HELMET

🥤 Something fans might not know? Jackson loves a Hot Girl Summer loaded tea from ANEW Nutrition!

🤣 Who gives him the hardest time in the pits? Kevin Joachim. Apparently, Kevin still finds ways to complain that his milk tastes bad out of a Mulder Racing cup, even though they don’t race against each other much anymore!

🚫 Race-day superstition? Absolutely NO red clothing or red on the race car!

💬 Three words his crew would use to describe him? Well, Jackson gave us three: Way. Too. Competitive. 😂

🏁 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

Jackson is excited to see more drivers from other classes making the move into Stock Cars. With some new cars already being talked about this offseason, he thinks the class is going to put on some great racing next year!

👏 THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

Jeffco • AWS • Northern Iowa Blasting • Sioux Body Shop • De Jongh Farms • DK Seamless Gutters Inc. • Abma Farms • T&S Construction • B&K Landscaping • Denekas Electric • DJ’s Service • Performance Only • Main Street Storage • Tri-State Ready Mix • Double G Farms • Vans Automotive • Baker Irrigation LLC • Valley Excavating • Raman Tree Service • B&B Salvage • Ten-4 Trucking • Van’s Power Center • Zoomies Pet Spa • Frosted Frog • NF1 Racecars / Nordquist Fab

Thank you, Jackson, for being part of the Rapid Speedway racing family! We can’t wait to see what the #4 has in store for 2027!

10/26/2026

Some people leave their mark on a racetrack through the laps they turn. Others leave theirs through the countless hours they give to the sport and the people who love it. Randy VanEngen did both.

It is with heavy hearts that we remember our friend and fellow member of the Rapid Speedway family, Randy VanEngen.

Randy’s involvement with Rapid Speedway went far beyond Friday nights. A former racer himself, he remained dedicated to the sport through his work as a track official, serving on our race committee, helping with sponsorships, and spending the past several seasons handling Raceceiver communications on race nights.

If you knew Randy, you knew his sense of humor. He had a way of delivering a joke with such a straight face and gruff tone that you weren’t always sure if he was kidding. But behind that sometimes gruff exterior was a man who genuinely cared about the people around him.

Randy was one of those people who helped make Rapid Speedway what it is. He gave his time, shared his knowledge, and continued to be part of the racing community both on and off the track.

It’s hard to imagine a race night without some of the familiar faces we’ve grown accustomed to seeing year after year. Randy will certainly be one of those faces we’ll miss.

To Randy’s family and friends, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you, Randy, for the years of dedication, the laughs, the friendships, and the memories. You will always have a place in the Rapid Speedway family. 🏁

10/23/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: AYDIN LLOYD | #23 🏁

For Aydin Lloyd, racing has always been part of life. Growing up around the sport while his dad crewed for Mark DeBoer, Aydin spent plenty of nights at the racetrack dreaming of someday winning a championship of his own.

But here’s something you might not know: Aydin never raced anything growing up! He eventually bought a micro sprint to try out for a few nights before jumping into a sprint car, where he finished 9th on just six cylinders in his very first race!

Now in his third year behind the wheel, Aydin has put together back-to-back top-five points finishes at Rapid Speedway. And while he’s proud of that accomplishment, there’s still one thing on his mind.

🏆 A championship at Rocky.

After finishing 3rd in points in 2025, Aydin battled engine troubles and unexpected mechanical issues throughout 2026 but still managed to secure 5th place in Rapid Speedway IMCA Racesaver Sprint Car points. That's back-to-back top-five finishes in just his second and third years of racing!

One of his favorite memories came on a night when he was running 7th against the 410s in a 360 sprint car before fading after a late restart. He then jumped into his 305, started around 17th, charged all the way to 5th, and ultimately brought home a 6th-place finish!

💪 What keeps him going?

Knowing that sponsors, family, friends, and fans invest their hard-earned money into supporting his racing program is all the motivation Aydin needs.

And when help became scarce toward the end of the season, it was just Aydin and his girlfriend getting the car ready on race nights. Having her jump in, get her hands dirty, and help keep things going made those final races even more meaningful.

😂 A little behind-the-helmet fun:

🏁 Biggest pit comedians? Gavin Gregory, Kaden Clark, and his nephew, who is always ready to tell him what he should have done differently on the track!

🐔 Race-day superstition? Absolutely NO chicken on race day!

⏰ Race-day routine? Everything from loading the car to hooking up the trailer and leaving for the track follows the same routine.

💬 Three words his crew would use to describe him? Focused. Particular. Determined.

Looking ahead to 2027, Aydin is ready to build on the speed he found late in the season, chase more feature wins, and keep working toward that Rapid Speedway championship.

👏 Aydin would like to thank the sponsors who make it possible:

ThE Racing • Alpha Electric • Winwater • GRP Motorsports • ACS Roofing • Extremely Clean • Stevens Farms by Wiffles Hybrid • Gary & Brenda Foundation • Brandon Plumbing & Heating • Evergreen Painting

Thank you, Aydin, for being part of the Rapid Speedway racing family! We can’t wait to see what 2027 brings!

📸: Fowlds Media
📸: Tylan Porath

10/20/2026

🏁 DRIVER SPOTLIGHTS ARE COMING BACK! 🏁

We’re bringing back our Driver Spotlight series as we look back on the 2026 racing season and count down to our January 16 Awards Banquet!

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring the top 5 drivers in points from each of our racing classes, giving fans a chance to learn a little more about the people behind the wheel!

From memorable moments and racing superstitions to the people who keep them going, we’re excited to share their stories!

📬 HEY, DRIVERS! If you finished in the top 5 in points at Rapid Speedway this season, be sure to check your inbox (and message requests)! We’ve been reaching out for your spotlight information, and if you haven’t responded yet, we’d love to hear from you!

Stay tuned! Our first Driver Spotlight drops Friday, October 23! 🏁