Dirt oval paradise for racer

His love of racing dates back to his youth in Lennox, S.D., where sprint cars dominated the local tracks. But his drive to get behind the wheel began with the luck of the draw.

In 1979, not long after Capitol Speedway opened in Willow, Gregg Peters, an Air Force aerospace ground equipment repairman - a mechanic, in layman's terms -- sat in the stands enjoying an evening of Alaska-style racing. During a break in the races, Peters was surprised to hear his name called over the loud speaker.

As part of a promotional event, each ticket holder that day had placed their name in a drawing and four novice drivers, Peters included, won the opportunity to run a five-lap race around the track. It was an instant hook for Peters. His need for speed had been ignited.

It was another 15 years of spectating, however, before he returned to the track behind the wheel of his own car, quickly busting through the competition to earn local and state championships in a few short years of driving. His racing credits include season firsts in mini-stock division, in the B-stock (bomber) division and last year he moved up to the sportsman class and quickly moved to the front of the pack to take home a first-place trophy in that division.

Peters grew up in the farmlands of South Dakota, where he says most of his high school buddies still remain. The Air Force was a means to an end, he said, one that got him out to see the world, to Alaska, and, ultimately to Wasilla, where G&G Racing is headquartered in a shop outside his home.

Peters said he owes "the gang" -- racing partner Guy Hamilton, along with Bruce Stinson, Andy Mathews, Steve Hust, Todd Slater and Rick Daniels -- for helping him make that move from spectator to driver. Some of the guys have given up racing full time or moved on, but Capitol Speedway dirt racers are often more like family than friends -- they may move out, but they're never far from home. Peters credits his wife Donna, though, for giving him the encouragement and understanding it takes to be a successful driver.

"It takes someone willing to give up a lot of time and put up with a lot of late nights in the shop," Peters said. "And it took me a long time to find the right woman," he said of his wife of nine years.

Now in his 10th year of racing, 45-year-old Peters -- currently a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service -- is still holding his own. With racing season starting a few weeks ago he is in first place in the sportsman division, racing against dirt-track veteran Terry Bundtrock and newcomers Jay Irving and Chip Defendorf. After last year's win he is the defending sportsman champ at Capitol, and although there is always heavy competition and constant work to be done on the car, Peters is not worried about this year's title -- he's in it for the camaraderie, for tinkering in the garage with the gang and the thrill of going fast.

"The main intention is to have fun," Peters said. "My advice to anyone thinking of getting into this sport is not to get so serious and frustrated. If you can do that, the rest will come."