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HOBIE CONWAY, A VENTURA RACEWAY ORIGINAL
by Lee Elder

VENTURA, Calif. (June 2, 2008) – Every racetrack needs a Hobie Conway, but Ventura Raceway has the original.

Conway, who lives in Ventura, has worked or raced at the track for half of her 30 years. She has competed in three divisions and has served the track as an Emergency Medical Technician, among other jobs.

“She has become the most devoted person you could ever imagine,” said Raceway promoter Jim Naylor. “We’re very lucky to have her.”

The track hosts six divisions of racing this weekend: The VRA Sprint Cars, Dwarf Cars, Junior Midgets, Mini Dwarfs (both the Piston and Supercharger classes) and the IMCA Modifieds. The spectator gates open at 3 p.m. and the youth classes start their heat races at 3:30.

The 1999 Street Stock Rookie of the Year, Conway now drives sprint cars when she isn’t working for sprint car team owner Cory Kruseman or working at Ventura.

“I like driving,” Conway said. “But I like being an EMT and helping the other drivers.”

Her racing experience gives Conway extra empathy when she cares for a driver involved in a racing incident. And, since she has worked at the track for so long, she knows the drivers and they know her.

“She’s always been a great EMT,” Naylor said. “She will be the first one in the car. She goes the extra mile.”

Naylor said that Conway’s dedication to the facility and to the track’s extended family sets her apart. He said Conway’s wide range of experience makes her invaluable.

“Because she’s raced, she has a good feeling for what needs to happen,” the promoter said. “Sometimes she waters the track with the smaller water rig. She knows what the track needs and she’s good at getting the right moisture sprayed out.”

It’s a tricky job, matching the ambient conditions to the track surface. But then, it’s a tricky job to steer a rampaging sprint car around Ventura’s clay oval, too, and there is nothing easy about becoming an EMT. Hobie Conway does all those things and Ventura Raceway is glad to have her.

More information about Ventura Raceway is available at www.venturaraceway.com.

Nice item about Hobie, one of my favorite drivers at Ventura, she also drives one of Cory's haulers to the track and wrenches in the pits. I see her in the pits at Perris many times. She is friendly and always has a big hello for me and calls me Boss.

Nice news release about Ventura, she is to be commended for her work.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Thank you Mr. Elder, I have got to say that I love the article on Hobie, she is one of the brightest lights each night at the race track and there is nobody that isn't happy being around her. Over the years I have gotten to know Hobie in brief conversations and regretably never in depth but every one knows she is who she appears to be. A genuine original good person. She is always doing something for somebody.

People might say I am throwing out flattery but that isn't the case. If the people in racing is one of my favorite and most interesting aspects then Hobie is right up there. She was at Kings Saturday night with Austin. Working with Austin all night she had a smile on her face and helping him do his best.

At Ventura I have seen the dedication as an EMT rushing to an accident on a quad. I have seen the value and respect that Jim Naylor, Cliff Morgan and team mates have for everything. I know that the entire Kruseman team respect and value Hobie by the way they treat her at Grand Slam events managing 5 or so cars, drivers and crew mwmbers. And I have seen her drive hard and be competitive with modest equipment and a ton of heart. There aren't many people capable of wearing so many hats and give back so much more than they recieve in any aspect of life than Hobie. Amazing as it is the greatest thing of all is Hobies youth. We should have the good fortune to have Hobie in this sport for many years to come, contributing every which way need and heart direct.

That is the simple truth and it is great to see it is valued and appreciated. I am happy for Ventura and Kruseman to have Hobie and wish we had that kind of person every where but the rareness is why it is unique. Hobie is an original.

AMAN TO ALL THE ABOVE.

CONGRATS HOBIE YOU DESERVE IT.

The Ralphie Section