Keller Racing: A Family Driven Sport

Two-time track champion Philip Keller, Sidney, races the No. 9 race car in the IMCA Sport Mod Classification. Keller has been racing for a little over seven years. He started in 2013 racing in the hobby stock class and switched over to the sport mod class in 2015. So far, he has won two track championships at the Williston Basin Speedway, and in 2013 he was the Hobby Stock Rookie of the Year.

Keller has raced at many tracks around the area, including tracks in Williston, Dickinson, Minot, Underwood, Fargo, North Dakota and in Minnesota, Iowa, and Canada.

When asked if he has any plans for this season, he said, "I hope to defend the track champion title in Williston and hopefully win a feature or two. I am looking forward to keep racing this year, and I am hoping the races do not get shut down again because of COVID-19."

Keller's favorite part about racing is, "The adrenaline rush you get when you race. I also like that racing provides an opportunity to get out and about and meet new people. I have made a lot of great friends through racing."

Keller explained that racing has always been a family sport for him. "Racing is something my brother and I do, and it keeps us close. My whole family is involved in racing, including my wife and kids, and even my mom and sister! The kids make racing fun, you know you see all the kids' faces light up when they see a race car, which is pretty neat," said Keller.

In previous years, Keller's two sons, Jace and Cale, have chosen wraps for his race car, which have been a "Legos" and "The Incredibles" themed wraps.

Keller explained that both his sons have shown a lot of interest in racing. "In particular, my youngest son just turned six, and he is all about racing. I can hardly work in the garage without him there - he is always out there with me, so that is a lot of fun! He has a set of power wheels that he has probably worked on more than most people have worked on their race cars," chuckled Keller.

When asked how long he plans to keep racing, he explained that he would keep racing as long as his family keeps interest in it. Keller stated, "Without their support, it would take a lot of fun out of the sport.

Williston Basin Speedway has a lot of scheduled upcoming races set for this season. Races for all four classes of IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mod, IMCA Stock Cars, and IMCA Hobby Stock will take place July 25, Aug. 8, Aug 22, Sept.r 9, and Sept. 20.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and attend; gate prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/military, and $5 for kids 12 years of age and under. For more information on upcoming races, checkout the Williston Basin Speedway website and Facebook page!