NHRA Arizona Nationals ~ Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park ~ Chandler, AZ ~ March 24-26, 2023

Camping World Drag Racing Series

ROUND / SERIES	DATE	TIME	CH
Qualifying Show 1	Friday, March 24, 2023	9:30 PM – 10:30 PM CT	FS1
Qualifying Show 2	Sunday, March 26, 2023	11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT	FS1
Finals	Sunday, March 26, 2023	6:00 PM – 9:00 PM CT	FS1

Brad Lawrence’s Mother, Gloria, Has Passed

Brad served as our starter at Oahe Speedway in the early years.
Please keep the Lawrence family in your thoughts and prayers.

Gloria Gloe Lawrence passed away surrounded by her children on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Maryhouse in Pierre, SD.

Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Thursday, March 9, 2023 with a Prayer service at 7pm at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre.

Funeral service will be 11am on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre.

Burial will be in Scotty Philip Cemetery in Fort Pierre.

Gloria Lee Gloe was born October 4, 1942, in Chamberlain, SD to George & Dorothy (Farlee) Gloe. Gloria grew up in Presho, SD graduating in 1960. Gloria met Ron “Mouse” Lawrence and they were married November 20, 1960, and resided in Onida, SD. Ron and Gloria were blessed with four children, Brenda, Brad, Debra and Tracy.

Gloria was a stay-at-home mom until her children were in school, then did secretarial work until retirement including a local radio station where she met and had lunch with Conway Twitty, she also worked for Bob Oliva State Farm Insurance, South Dakota High School Activities Association, Stulken Petersen & Associates, Hughes County States Attorney Office and concluded her career at Stanley County Elementary School.

Ron and Gloria moved to Arizona in 1987, enjoyed volunteering at several golf tournaments, golfing daily, attending University of Arizona Wildcats basketball games and soaking up the sunshine. They returned to South Dakota to spend quality time with their children, grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren.

Gloria was an avid supporter of her husband Ron’s athletic and coaching career as well as her children and grandchildren’s activities. Gloria was the official score keeper at Stanley County for Basketball and Volleyball for many years. She had a trademark Styrofoam cup she chewed on to keep from getting kicked out due to her verbal critique of the referee’s performance! Gloria loved watching her grandchildren participate in basketball, volleyball, golf, track, wrestling and rodeo.

Gloria was known for being a “bit stubborn”, a “card shark”, having a quick wit, and always speaking her mind. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing bridge, pinochle, video lottery, and having a cold red beer or Zima with the happy hour bunch. Gloria enjoyed knitting and traveling around the world.

Gloria was also an excellent cook; you would find her in the kitchen at every family gathering. Gloria loved being an aunt to her nieces and nephews and they referred to her as “Aunty Uppy”. Gloria had multiple health problems beginning at an early age. Gloria finally lost her 34-year war with cancer having multiple battles over the years.

Gloria is survived by her children Brenda (Bruce) Lounsbury, Ft. Pierre, SD; Brad Lawrence, Mitchell, SD; Debra (Monty) Kenworthy, Ft. Pierre, SD and Tracy (Oren) Lesmeister, Parade, SD. Grandchildren include Jessica Lounsbury (Chad Cowan), Brandon (Jamie) Lounsbury, Amanda Lounsbury (Greg Carroll), Colten Lesmeister (Darian Tanner), Colby (Jeff) Blakesley, Chelsy Lesmeister (Cody Norman) and great grandchildren Jemma Lounsbury, Kaleb, Emily, Maddie and Louie Lounsbury; Ethan Tanner, John, Olivia and Waylon Blakesley; Trace Lesmeister and baby on the way. Nieces and nephews Hazel Hughes, Clarence Gloe, Rich Gloe, Charlotte Trevino, Cary Youngberg and Kimberly Wills.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents George and Dorothy Gloe, her husband Ron Lawrence, brother-in-law Darry Lawrence, brother Wayne (Faye) Gloe, and sister Donna (Punt) Youngberg, and nephew Fred Gloe.

Gloria was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre and the Moose Lodge in Ft. Pierre.

Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
March 9-12, 2023
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, FL

NHRA’ s premiere announcer, Bob Frey, and Fox Sports Net National film crews visited Oahe Speedway on August 1, 2009
to film NHRA’s Sportsman Spotlight, a segment of popular television show “Inside Drag Racing”.

 Like most young men in the ‘60s, Frey wanted to go drag racing. In 1965, he did have the opportunity to do some drag racing and won in E/Stock Automatic at Vineland Speedway Drag Strip. In 1966 while at Atco, Bob learned they were looking for a track announcer. He took a chance and applied for the job and got it. From that day on, he spent the next 46 years calling drag races all over the United States and in Canada, Mexica, Puerto Rico, and England. Frey brought a new dimension to the sport of drag racing, not only at the tracks but in broadcasting. With his casual manner, he strived to not just inform but also entertain not only hardcore drag racing fans but those new to the sport. He did this by educating and telling great stories about the sport. Bob’s style got the attention of the NHRA, which offered him the job of being the NHRA announcer for all national events. Bob accepted the job and was with NHRA from 1985-2012. Frey would become known as “the voice of drag racing” and was the only announcer to work in all the drag racing sanctioning bodies: NHRA, AHRA and IHRA. Frey’s decades of involvement with the sport has also made him one of the most respected authorities on the history of drag racing. Due to his wealth of knowledge, he has written columns in National Dragster and on DragRaceCentral.com. His knowledge also made him an excellent choice to be the emcee for the annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and he graciously volunteered his services to the IDRHoF for 15 years, providing his knowledge, entertainment, and drag racing jokes as only Bob Frey could do. 

Mary O’Connor Passes

Our racing family has lost a vibrant, competitive and beloved member.

Mary O’Connor left us on Monday, January 30.
Following a courageous battle, surrounded by her family, Mary passed quietly.
Mary had been hospitalized in Sioux Falls over the past week.
Please join in prayers and thoughts for Don and the family.

Visitation will be held 5:00-6:00pm, Thursday, February 9, 2023 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Pierre,
concluding with a Rosary/Wake Service at 6:00pm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00pm, Friday, February 10, 2023
St. John’s Catholic Church with interment following at Scotty Philip Cemetery.

A complete obituary will be posted when available.