Core Profile Fields
Driver Name
Rick “Iron” Calder
Racing Nickname
Iron Rick
Are you a full-time racer?
Yes
Do you own your race car?
Yes
Age
62
Number of Years Racing
40
Height
5’11”
Married
Yes
Wife’s Name
Linda Calder
Children’s Names
Matt, Casey
Hometown / State
Fremont, Ohio
Home Track
Oakshade Raceway
Racing Division / Class
Dirt Late Model
Core Fun Questions
Favorite food
Anything that comes off a grill after midnight at the track. Bonus points if it’s wrapped in foil.
Favorite movie
Days of Thunder — still holds up, even if Hollywood doesn’t understand dirt racing.
Favorite TV show
Anything with engines, competition, or history. I’m not proud of how much Discovery Channel I’ve watched.
Favorite racing memory so far
Winning a big-money Late Model feature in front of my kids after they’d only ever seen me lose money for 20 years.
Racing superstition
Same gloves, same socks, same routine. Change one thing and the car knows.
Driver that inspired you growing up
My dad. He raced on Saturdays and fixed tractors on Sundays. Taught me how to work and how to lose with dignity.
Typical week balancing work, family, and the shop
Monday is cleanup, Tuesday is repairs, Wednesday is arguing with myself about setup, Thursday is loading, Friday is travel, Saturday is racing, Sunday is reflection — and sometimes regret.
Race day routine
Coffee early, walk the pits, check the car twice, sit quietly before hot laps, and try not to overthink things I can’t control.
Professional Drivers
Typical week on the road
Haul in, unload, race, load up, drive overnight, repeat. You learn quickly which gas stations have good coffee and which ones don’t.
Days and miles per season
Around 160–180 days and roughly 25,000 miles. The hardest part is being gone. The best part is still getting to do what I love.
Around 160–180 days and roughly 25,000 miles. The hardest part is being gone. The best part is still getting to do what I love.
Racing is far more mental than physical at this level. Experience matters more than bravery.
Getting around away from the track
Truck usually stays hooked. If we unhook, it’s because something went very right — or very wrong.
Toughest night on the road
Breaking a car in a heat race, fixing it all night, and still racing the next day with no sleep.
Downtime on the road
Stretching, light workouts, and telling the same old stories to the same people — because they still make us laugh.
Who travels with you and where you stay:
Mostly the team. Motorhome when possible, hotels when necessary.
Routines or workouts while traveling
Stretching, walking, light weights. You don’t stay in this game 40 years by ignoring your body.
Who you hang out with on the road
Other drivers and crews. Everyone’s competing, but everyone understands the grind.
Nights at home vs road
Home — maybe 25. Road — the rest.
Most memorable downtime moment
Fixing a carburetor in a hotel parking lot while a wedding party cheered us on like it was a pit stop.
Reflections & Stories
Biggest career break and lessons for young racers
Getting a call to drive a top-tier Late Model in my 30s. Preparation matters — opportunity only works if you’re ready when it shows up.
High – Best day or event and why
Winning a regional championship after nearly walking away from the sport. Proof that patience still pays.
Low – Most challenging or defining stretch or crash
A hard crash that sidelined me for months and forced me to rethink how I raced — and why.
Biggest obstacle overcome
Longevity. Staying competitive across decades requires humility and adaptation.
Mentors and influences
Crew chiefs who weren’t afraid to tell me the truth — even when I didn’t want to hear it.
After the helmet
Helping younger drivers avoid mistakes I already made and keeping the sport healthy.
Sponsor Support
Sponsorship assistance needed
Travel support, tires, fuel, and maintenance resources.
Whale, sharks, or minnows
Minnows matter. This sport runs on small help adding up.
How sponsors are promoted
Social media, car displays, fan interaction, track mentions.
Personalized sponsor experiences
Pit access, signed gear, meet-and-greets.
Sponsorship packet
Available digitally.
Sponsor contact
Email or social media.
Sponsors
Sponsor 1
Regional Auto Group
Sponsor 2
Midwest Ag Supply
Sponsor 3
Calder Fabrication
Associate and Product Sponsors
RacersPedia, VP Racing Fuels, Hoosier Tires, RaceQuip, Theqrcodegenie
Chassis
Rocket
Engine Builder
Custom Racing Engines
Shocks
Penske
Merchandise
Merchandise for sale
Yes