Mitchell family enjoys stock car racing

By KYLIE RICHTER

Lake County Leader

The Mitchell family from St. Ignatius has found a new way to participate in family bonding. Bill, Jennifer, Dustin and Courtney have taken up stock car racing.

Eight years ago, Bill started racing cars in Kalispell. He picked it up as a kid watching his uncle race, but didn’t get his own car until 2006. His kids, 12-year-old Dustin and 13-year-old Courtney joined him on the track a few years ago.

It all started when Dustin found out he was diabetic. After he was diagnosed, his parents decided to get him a bandoleros car. The miniature cars max out at about 55 miles per hour. They were hoping it would take his mind off of his disease.

What they didn’t realize was that their daughter, Courtney, would take an interest in the sport as well.

Today, the Mitchells travel to Kalispell almost every weekend. The family uses it as a learning experience. The kids help with the maintenance of the their cars, including cleaning, working on breaks, and filling them with gas. “The time it takes us to prepare all of the cars is a joint effort as a family,” Bill said.

Bill does all the maintenance on his own super stock car and recently started doing his own fiberglass work and painting. “It’s fun to learn to do different things,” he said.

While some families are spread out supporting each individual of their family, the Mitchells have figured out how to support everyone at the same time. “It’s not about an individual. It’s about all of us,” Bill said.

Some parents might be a little nervous about their 8 to 15-year-olds racing cars around an asphalt track, but Jennifer Mitchell said it gives her some comfort for the future watching her kids. “They have both avoided some big wrecks already this year. To see them be aware of things is nice.” For Dustin, racing at 11 is his favorite part. “I like being able to drive before I’m old enough.” With all of this car racing experience under his belt, he should fly through his drivers training course in a few years.

Courtney, an eighth grader, said she has met a lot of new people. “My favorite part is meeting new people and the experience,” she said. Both Mitchell kids have made friends at the track. Bill said people love watching the kids race, but sometimes the parents get a little competitive. “It’s a competitive league, but the way we see it, they don’t get paid to race, so the only one you are competing against is yourself to get better.”

While her husband and kids race, Jennifer has the most important job. She feeds them, and makes sure everyone doing what they are supposed to. The whole family has a job. “We are all supporting each other. We try and use it as a bonding time to work together,” Bill said.

Dustin is sitting in fourth place, while Courtney is fifth. “I almost have more fun watching them race than doing it myself,” Bill said.