Randi, who was also an outstanding athlete, began her career in quarter midgets by chance.
“A guy named John Springstead bought a quarter midget for his kid, they went out to Pomona and he didn‘t like it,” Pankratz said. “He asked Randi if she wanted to do it, but we made a deal with her. If she kept her grades up, she could race. It really helped her self-esteem because she was doing something other kids didn‘t do.”
Randi Pankratz started racing in 1980 and eventually advanced to three-quarter midgets and to full midgets. She remains and active driver.
Wally Pankratz remains active in senior sprints and as he looks toward his 77th birthday, he knows there are some who view his behavior as irrational. He doesn‘t care.
“This is always what I wanted to do,” he said. “Obviously, I‘m terminal with it. Ray Swann owns the car. His uncle was Charlie Allen and he is old enough to remember my dad. This is what keeps him alive. He just loves doing it. I get to be in the car as a race driver and if I crash it, he pays for it. I‘m hired as a driver. It is still fun for me. I still like sliding the car. It‘s dumb.”
Pankratz was presented the Jimmy Caruthers Memorial Award at the 1997 USAC National banquet. This award goes to the driver deemed to show great determination and spirit. It could not have been more appropriate. Spirit, determination and grit have defined Wally Pankratz‘s career.