| Mark began his racing career in 1994.
He started with a $200 dollar car and turned it into a Hobby stock. It was a 1979 Ford LTD....and thus began his racing career.
Mark excelled in this class....winning every race he ran and was soon booted from this division to an A hobby class. His good luck and speed followed him as well into this class and also became the track Champion in this division. Mark raced as a hobby stock for 3 years and then decided to switch and move up to the Stock car class. He raced a 1988 Ford Thunderbird with a 408.
He had good luck in this class also....but the end of the 2nd year blew up his one and only engine. Due to the high cost of this class we decided to change classes again. Thus the beginning of the B-Modified car he continues to race in today.
Mark runs a 351 Windsor and continues to be a force to be reckon with in this class as well. Tom Oftedahl...Mark's brother owns this car...and Mark does the maintence and upkeep. What a great deal.....and oh ya....his wife finds all his sponsors. (hehe)
Sponsors are a big factor in racing and without them it is a tough sport to continue. A special thanks to them. They are:
Tom Oftedahl Tiling and Dozing - Hanley Falls
Prinsco Tiling - Prinsberg
Aus Floors and More - Granite Falls
Dyrdahl Lumber - Hazel Run......................................a specail thanks to them all for helping make a great seaon!!
Mark also is now racing against his wife and brother.....keeps things interesting!! (it's a family thing!!)
Thus begins the racing career of his wife....Laura.
Mother of 3.......two boys...10 and 3 1/2 and one daughter.....16months. Nick, Kyle and Holly...thus ends their family!!
Laura began her racing career when Mark decided to switch to the Street Stock class and thought his old Hobby car would be a good place for her to begin. Racing only in 2 powder puffs previously....this would definately be a new challenge.....but well worth it!! Starting in 1998...only racing for a few nights.......taking time off for a pregnacy....her real racing adventure began in 1999.
Learning was the key and track time....or seat time was imparative!! Not fairing half bad......she went on to win her 1st feature win her 1st year...with also capturing the Rookie of the year title as well. She finished 5th in points...and was well on her way to another great season. oh yah......did I mention she was the 1st woman to win a feature...clean sweep, even.....at Fiesta City Speedway, in Montevideo......whoo hoo!!
Good luck and determination followed her to her next year in racing as well. Winning 4 Feature wins and 6 Heat races gave her a solid 4th place in season points that year. Laura continued to race the Ford LTD with a 351 Windsor as well. Some of her accomplishments are:
Rookie of the Year, perfect attendance, Sportsmen of the Year (sports woman...would of been more appropriate I think)
Racer of the week.....each season she competed.
Laura had a tough season last year...due to an incident with another car. A broken axle from the car ahead her....lauched her in the air...causing her car to roll end over end and barrel roll several times. She was ok...but her car had looked better. With much work and determination from her husband and crew members...the car was, well.....race ready the next week. It had not been to the frame shop though......lets just say it was a hand full. Overcoming her fear....(her husband made her drive it!!) she raced the following week...winning both her Heat race and her Feature for another clean sweep!! Till this day...she cant believe how she got the car to turn.......pure adrenaline and being scared shittless, she claims. :-) Thus earning her another Racer of the Week award for her determination and dedication to racing.....a great accomplishment to her.
Thus ended her season in the Pure Stock division. due to their growing family and the expenses of racing ...Laura had planned on not continuing her racing career. By her great fortune and opportunity...her sister and father offered her a ride in her fathers B-Modified car her sister had been driving the previous 3 years. Who would pass this up.......and thus is the beginning of her 2001 racing adventure in the Wissota B- Modified division.
Coming from a family of Fords....things were about to change. She is now driving a Cobra Chassis, with a 355 Chevy. This class is a whole new deal...and i will try to keep you informed on her new adventure...but she says...she is out-experienced and is still adjusting to the whole new handling of this higher powered car and its handling. So far she is having alot of fun...but is racing now with guys with alot of experience...33 years for one...and also against her husband. Whom, which she has to go home with each night after racing........so lets all be nice and yup...we are keeping it in the family!! Waiting for her 1st win in this class as well.....wont that be a sweet one...she says!!
Laura's sponsors are:
VanBinsbergen & Assocaites, LLC - Montevideo
Oftedahl Bros. Seeds/ Dekalb - Perry and David Oftedahl/ HanleyFalls
Lastine Chiropractic - Marshall
Syring Trucking - Granite Falls
Freitag Agency - Granite Falls..........a special thanks goes out to them for helping make her racing season a great one in 2001!
Mark and Laura Oftedahl are fortunate to enjoy this hobby together....lets wish them both Great Luck this season!!
You can find Mark and Laura racing at Fiesta City Speedway in Montevideo on Friday nights and in Redwood Falls on Sunday nights.......hope to see you there!!!
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