6/28/2017
Alaska Raceway Park
The Legend of the Fast Racing Tom Buse
Racer Profile
Racing Years: 1967-Present
Car: 1967 Black Plymouth Barracuda
Sox & Martin Plymouth Duster
Tracks Competed at:
Great Lakes Dragway, Wisconsin
Byron Dragway, Illinois
Norwalk Motorsports Park, Ohio
Bristol Motor Speedway, Tennessee - Worlds Footbrake Challenge
Gateway Motorsports Park, St. Louis
Quote: “My passion for racing is in my blood. It has been a great reward in my life”
Tom Buse usually competes at dragstrips near his hometown of Davis Junction, Illinois. This summer, he will embark on an adventure to race at Alaska Raceway Park’s 4th of July event. Tom’s journey to Alaska began last fall, when his cousin, Earl Lackey, Earl’s wife Karen —both Alaska Raceway Park directors— visited Wisconsin for a reunion. Tom commented that he wished to race at the Alaska Raceway Park. The Lackeys said why not, so last week he and his cousin David Lackey packed up Tom’s truck with the Cuda and Duster on an open trailer and headed up the ALCAN highway.
Tom has raced the ’67 Cuda for 40 years. It ran in the 12 second bracket to start but now runs in 9.80 ‘s. He built the Sox & Martin for his best friend and race partner Jim Winters. They raced as a team for 23 years. Unfortunately, Jim passed away in April of 2014 from cancer. Tom’s son, Aaron Buse, now drives the signature red, white and blue Plymouth Duster and he likes to beat his dad at racing... once in a while.
Tom and his son Aaron are racing this weekend at Alaska Raceway Park.
The father/son team has been racing for three years. The full pit crew for this weekend’s race, also includes Tom’s grandson Dean Buse, the late Jim Winter’s wife, Marilyn Denning, and Aaron’s long-time friend Steve Lang. However, the pit crew opted out of the scenic trip and are flying in for the Fourth of July competition.
In addition to racing cars, Tom is an experienced tractor-puller who has competed in most of the Wisconsin fairs and other special events in Illinois. Tom said he enjoys meeting people at the various raceways and is still friends with some of them to this day. He is looking forward to racing in Alaska and meeting new friends!
Submitted By: Krystin Bogan
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