By Webster’s definition the word “success” means “the favorable outcome of something attempted”. For the Gage Family it is many successful “outcomes” spanning three generations. You see, for Roger, Kevin and Kelsee Gage its all about a winning tradition.
The story begins with Roger Gage who; after earning a degree in engineering went to work for Arctic Cat snowmobiles in the early 70s in their Research and Development Department in Minnesota. He was instrumental in the design and development of one of the iconic race “sleds” of the era known as the Arctic Cat Twin Track 440X. Roger recently helped restore to one of the original Arctic Cat Twin Track 440X’s. That restoration displayed at a snowmobile roundup earned 1st place trophy, a further testament to Roger’s skills and talents.
Fast forward some 30 years, after working for several companies, Roger and his wife Jane eventually landed in Washington State. Roger got a job at Boeing where he still works today. He turned his considerable design, and fabrication skills to the sport of Drag Racing, building a very cool big block Chevrolet powered 10 second black 38 Chevrolet Business coupe for local competition at what is now Pacific Raceways.
NOTE: As of this writing Roger is tied for 10th place in Pro Bracket Points after two events in the Auto Max USA Bracket Series at Pacific Raceways.
One of Roger’s two sons, Kevin followed in his father’s footsteps. He got his introduction to drag racing at 16 when he and his brother would go to the races with their dad. Like his father, Kevin also works in the aerospace industry as a production supervisor. He also has his own race car. A 1966 Rambler American racing in Pro Bracket with power coming from a Dart equipped Chevy 383 built by Dale Green at DG Machine. Power passes thru a TH400 transmission to a Ford 9” with 4:11 gears. He raced this car until last season. He will be retiring the Rambler to build a 69 Nova for the 2012 season. With upgrades to the former Rambler’s power train Kevin is looking to move to Super Pro in the new season.
That brings us to the third generation “driver” Kelsee Gage, Kevin’s daughter. Kelsee is a 7th grader; who participates in volleyball, basketball and track while maintaining a 3.00 GPA. Her good grades keep her in the seat of a RPC built Gunslinger Jr. Dragster, and at the drag strip with Dad and Grandpa, “we like to hang out” she says. With help from her family and a few sponsors her goal is to be the first in the “family” to earn the coveted “NHRA Wally” for winning an event. Her other interests include music; in particular Justin Bieber: she is a teenage girl after all…Her mother even helped Kelsee dress up as Justin for Halloween.
NOTE: As of this writing Kelsee is 2nd in Junior Thunder Points following a runner up finish at the first event for Junior Dragster competition in the Auto Max USA Bracket Series at Pacific Raceways.
It is not uncommon on any racing weekend to see all three generations of the Gage family in the late rounds of competition in three different classes….
So I guess it is true “a family that races together stays together”.
