Isms: Views on life in rural America

I made two confessions this weekend to friends from long ago. We reconnected Saturday at the Northeast Nebraska Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Norfolk. I serve as secretary on the board of directors, thanks to longtime family friend Troy Weyhrich, whose dad, Don, drove the unforgettable $1.98 modified. Don hailed from the Wausa area, as did my dad.

Summer months were spent at the racetrack when I was young: Friday nights in Hastings, Saturdays at Mid-Continent Raceway and Sunday, Riviera in Norfolk. I’m guessing it was cheap entertainment for our family of four.

Our association...