06/10/2026
A post from Kyle Lindeman who controls and posts to this page and the content.
I’ve had a few people ask why I was sitting out on the dirt berm instead of watching the race Dustin won on Saturday night. (Apparently its mentioned multiple times in my wifes recording of the race). I’ve also heard that some feel I post a bit too much on here during race weekends. I’d like to share my perspective, only to help explain what goes on behind the scenes.
Racing is a beast unlike any other sport or hobby. Most people don’t see the massive passion, time, money, relationship strain, and pure sacrifice it requires. You pour absolutely everything you have into it. During a short, intense season, you devote every single second to working on the cars 24/7.
When you finally hit the track, you are competing against a full field of drivers whose cars are separated by mere blinks of an eye. The difference between winning and finishing at the back is often less than a couple tenths of a second a lap—faster than you can click a stopwatch. One tiny mistake, and your whole race is over. Then its waiting for the next one to try again.
Now, throw your child into that pressure cooker.
I’ve watched my son sacrifice so much and work his absolute tail off. I’ve seen him go through hell, barely holding it together after bad nights, but he never gives up. He is incredibly hard on himself; if he makes a mistake that damages someone else's car, it weighs on him deeply. Yet, I’ve also watched him immediately offer his own parts and labor to help those same competitors fix their cars. He is always there to lift others up on their bad days.
Which brings me to Friday night. Dustin finally had his best shot at winning, a fast car, and honed in skills, only to get caught in a scary wreck right in front of the pack. My heart sank. Beyond the normal worry for his safety, I saw him start to deeply question himself, entering a headspace I had never seen him in before.
Knowing he was set to start at the front again on Saturday, the emotional toll as a dad became more than I could handle. Was staying on the berm non-supportive, or did it make me look weak? Maybe. I’ll own that. But the anxiety for my son was just too high in that moment.
I fully recognize that I ride an emotional roller coaster every weekend, and yes, I over-post. Some people love following the journey, while it bothers others. No matter where you stand, I just hope this gives a little insight into the reality of racing families. We experience some intense emotions during a season, and this is just how I process mine.
