HAMBURG, Minn. – Weeks before the first race of his 20th IMCA Sunoco Stock Car season, Dan Mackenthun was already getting compliments on his 2021 ride.
The Hamburg, Minn., driver debuts a pink-themed breast cancer awareness car, complete with ribbons in the hood and side panel schemes, when he heads south for the Ice Breaker Challenge at Abilene Speedway and the Sniper Speed Lone Star Tour.
“A group of us were sitting around, trying to decide what color to go with this year. I never thought I’d have a pink car but it turned out pretty nice,” said Mackenthun. “The tie-in is breast cancer awareness. We’ve had family and friends deal with it in the past and present and this is one way we can pay tribute to them.”
Car owner Don Gosch jumped on board with the idea and the compliments have in come steadily since the car was finished.
“We’ve had a lot of people stop by and they’ve really liked it,” Mackenthun reported. “I can’t wait to get to the track where people can really see it.”
He’s inviting breast cancer survivors and patients, as well as their family and friends to sign the ribbons on the hood and side when they stop to visit in the pits.
Mackenthun brings 145 career wins, 17 track and nine KMJ Performance State championships into the new season. Fans close to home can see the pink 92 car in the pits and on the track weekly at Princeton Speedway, Arlington Raceway and Redwood Speedway in 2021.
Along with Gosch, his mother Patty and sister Amy Wenzlaff, Mackenthun’s crew includes Grant and Loni Schroeder, Bob Kranz, Daniel Eckblad, Rod Manthey and Jeff Feil.
Sponsors are 7 Systems and Quality Refinishers Supply, both of Mankato; Larry’s Pit Stop of Hamburg; Advance Electrical of Norwood Young America; Engelmann Farms and Club New Yorker, both of Green Isle; Larson Automotive and Tesch Industries, both of Glencoe; Geib Well and Water of Arlington; Greeley Trucking of Welcome; Palmer Farms of Redwood; Cabin Bar of Nicolett; A & Farms of Winthrop; and Bill’s Repair of Plato.