After returning home from the Navy in 1967 Bernie Vanderhoof started attending stock car races with his family all over the state of Wisconsin as well as Minnesota and Illinois. His passion for racing grew over the years watching short track greats such as Dick Trickle, Larry Detjens and Tom Jensen. He also enjoyed watching Dave Trute and his cousins Sonya and Davey Pennel.
In the mid 1980's he started driving his own Mini stock race car at the Tomah Sparta Speedway, Lacrosse Fairgrounds Speedway and Jefferson Speedway. In 1987 he won the Mini Stock track championship at the Tomah Sparta Speedway. He retired from racing in 1990. His only regret was never being able to race at the Dell Raceway Park so in 2009 for his 65th birthday his sons bought him the Racing Experience. He was able to race D.R.P. late model and absolutely loved it!
He truly enjoyed watching the races every summer at his favorite track D.R.P. Sadly he had passed away this February.
The Vanderhoof family put together money to help raise the purse for the late model and modified features in his honor on his Birthday, this week.
June 13th 1944 - February 28th 2020.