Racing Community Mourns Randy Courtney's
Passing
(April
15, 2021) Known for building championship-caliber
quality race drivers, the Illinois racing community mourns in
the passing of Randy Courtney. Courtney, 59 years old and from
Bloomington, passed away on Sunday in his sleep. Being involved
in racing his entire life, from driving to turning wrenches and
being a car owner, Courtney helped to shape many a driver's career.
Working with drivers like Tom Rients, Mark Anderson, Eric Smith,
Ryan Dauber, Daren Friedman, Bobby Pierce and, recently, Donny
Walden, he has been part of numerous race wins and championships.
Bloomington’s Donny Walden had the pleasure of having Courtney
as a member of his team for the last three seasons. Driving an
outdated chassis, Walden and the team got the most out of the
car and were prepared to make strides for the 2021 season.
“When I got the phone call from Ryan on his dad’s
passing, I felt as if a part of me died, too, that morning,”
an emotional Walden said. “Randy just wasn’t my crew
chief over these last three years, he was my driving coach, my
motivator; but most of all, a close friend.
“We all worked hard this offseason on putting a brand new
car together. With all his wisdom and experience he brought, it
just can’t be replaced. He had a unique style on how he
motivated his drivers over his career. He would push you to your
limit because not only was he the most competitive person that
I have ever known, but he truly cared and wanted you to perform
at your highest potential. We had very high hopes going into this
season together and even though it’s going to be tough without
him, I know he would want us to push on and get the job done.
That is what I intend to do in his honor.”
Courtney, an auto broker by trade, is survived by his wife, Glenda,
son, Ryan, and step-sons, Connor and Colin Nolan and two grandchildren.
--- By Rocky Ragusa
Walden Jumps Behind Wheel of MB
Customs Machine for 2021 Campaign!
(April
1, 2021) After the last several seasons of piloting
the same family-owned MasterSbilt racecar, Donny Walden and his
#1w team were able to update their program over the off-season
with the purchase of a brand-new MB Customs racecar. Prepared
with the help of fellow Bloomington, Illinois driver Jason Feger,
who is the proprietor of Hustler Speed Shop, Donny is excited
about the car and ready for his 2021 campaign to begin.
(Brendon
Bauman Photo)
"It has been several years since I have been this excited
to get back racing again," quoted Walden on obtaining the
new racecar. "For the first time in over a decade, we are
going to fire off with a brand new car, a fresh engine under the
hood, and a new shock program!"
Walden Racing unfortunately came up just shy in getting the new
ride ready for this weekend's annual 'Illini 100' at Farmer City
Raceway. However, the team plans to start their 2021 season next
Friday, April 9 in a weekly DIRTcar Super Late Model program at
the Farmer City, Illinois oval. They are then slated to invade
Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois on Saturday, April 10, as
the MARS Racing Series will preside over a $5,000 to win shootout.
| full story
MB Customs Late Model
For Sale - $14,250 OBO
(February
10, 2021) Built in late 2016, MB Customs Late
Model. Car was not raced until 2018. Car only has 33 nights and
was raced with a spec engine. Minus Shocks/Springs, Seat, Wheels/Tires,
& Drivetrain. Frankland Rear End, all Mars parts, Quickcar
Extreme Gauges, Tel-Tach, Brake Bias Adjuster, MSD System, HVC
Blaster Coil, 5lb Fire System, Allstar Window Net, Sweet Collapsible
Column, 15" Steering Wheel, WoO/Lucas Approved Fuel Safe
Fuel Cell, Wilwood Hubs, Rotors, & Calipers, (2) Quick Disconnect
Shut Off Switches, Yellow Top 12v Optima Battery, Simpson Belts,
Keyser Aluminum Roof, Laser Cut/Powder Coated Sail Panels, and
Spoiler. All New Sides, Skirts, Evolution 2 Nose, Fenders, Hood,
Spring Steel, & Body Bracing. (Deck has 7 nights on it, like
new) Only 2 Nights on ALL NEW Front Suspension & Sweet rack
($2500 Worth) Comes with Spare Front Suspension, Sidebar, Bumpers,
and Nose (All-Used) This is a straight roller, that has never
been wrecked or clipped, and is exceptionally clean and well maintained.
No junk here, won't be disappointed.
>>> More
photos
* Asking $14,250 OBO. Located in Towanda, IL 61776.
For more information call/text Chris at (309) 275-6829!
New Website Launched for Donny
Walden and Walden Racing!
(December
29, 2020) As Walden Racing prepares for the upcoming
2021 racing season, the Bloomington, Illinois-based Super Late
Model team is excited to announce the launch of the brand-new
www.DonnyWalden.com! Designed by Delph Communications, Inc., the
new website will constantly be updated throughout the year to
keep fans and sponsors up-to-date on the racing efforts of the
#1w team. Even though the majority of track and series schedules
have not been released for 2021 as of yet, Donny Walden tentatively
has plans to kick off his campaign in the annual 'Illini 100'
weekend at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois on April
2-3. Keep logging back onto www.DonnyWalden.com - as the racing
season nears - to view the latest schedule plans, photos, apparel,
and so much more! (Brendon
Bauman Photo)
Walden Racing Wraps
Up 2020 Season in FALS Frenzy at Fairbury
(October
11, 2020) A crazy 2020 racing season, truncated
by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions at area tracks, wrapped
up for Walden Racing on Saturday night, October 10 at Fairbury
Speedway in downtown Fairbury, Illinois. Donny Walden stopped
the clock ninth quickest in Group B during MARS Racing Series
qualifying and was running in a coveted transfer spot in his heat
race when he was unfortunately dumped from behind by another competitor.
After starting at the tail end of the B-Main, Donny charged all
the way up to fourth, but ran out of time and unfortunately missed
out on transferring into the 'FALS Frenzy' headliner, which boasted
a $15,000 paycheck. Despite the disappointment in the season finale,
Donny was able to accumulate five Top Five performances and nine
Top Ten efforts in the twenty-four Super Late Model contests that
he entered during the course of his '20 campaign. Full results
from last night at FALS can be accessed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com.
(Brendon
Bauman Photo)
