Published: Nov. 10, 2015
Elder Goeden presents son with Hall of Fame plaque
11 inducted during Saturday’s ceremony
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News
HARTFORD — Willie Goeden and his wife, Jeanne, knew for
months what Don Goeden learned Saturday evening. What a pleasant surprise it
turned out to be.
“We didn’t tell anybody,” Willie said.
It wasn’t easy as he saw plenty of people in that span he
could’ve told that would’ve ruined the surprised, including Don.
Willie was never tempted to spill the good news.
“I just made up my mind I wasn’t going to tell him,” Willie
said with a smile.
Don Goeden of Kewaskum was one of 11 inductees into the
Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame who were recognized Saturday at
a ceremony at the Schauer Arts Center.
“It’s a great honor to be associated with all of the
previous and this year’s inductees,” Don said. “They’re great champions and
great legacies, great histories with all of them. To be associated with them is
awesome.”
Don’s plaque was presented to him by his Hall of Fame
father, Willie.
“He’s not getting any younger,” Don said. “So for him to
make it here was great.”
Joining Don Goeden in the Hall of Fame — the ninth induction
class — were Lowell Bennett, Rich Bickle Jr., Jim Blazek, Dave Moulis, Pete
Ostrowski, Bill Prietzel, John Quinn, Ray Toft, Dave Watson and Johnny Ziegler.
“This is an unbelievable honor,” said Bennett, seven-time
Slinger Superspeedway super late model track champion and winningest driver in
track history. “I feel like I’m too young to get something like this.”
Don Goeden joined his father, Willie, in the Hall of Fame,
who was one of 20 members of the inaugural class in 2007.
Willie Goeden won 12 track championships in a modified or
late model between 1966 and 1981, including the Slinger Superspeedway late
model championship in 1981.
The Goedens, along with the Ostrowskis, became the 13th and
14th father-son combos to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It was a big enjoyment,” Willie said. “I thought back to
when I was inducted eight years ago.”
Ostrowski’s father, Norbert, was inducted in 2010.
“My dad was always a big inspiration for me,” Pete said.
Before Saturday, Don didn’t know his father was going to be
at the ceremony, let alone present him with the plaque commemorating his
induction into the Hall of Fame.
Don likely couldn’t have imagined a better way to go into
the Hall. After all, without Willie, Don is not the championship driver he is
today.
“It was a great honor,” Don said. “To be brought up by him
through racing, learned a lot of things from him. He helped me in my racing
career for 30 years.”
Between Don and Willie, they’ve won 17 track championships,
making them one of the most successful families in state short-track racing
history, alongside the Johnsons of Bill Sr. and Bill Jr. — the first father-son
duo to be inducted in 2007.
“We’ve accomplished quite a bit in our racing careers,” Don
said. “... This is our hobby.”
This year, Don added to the championship list for the
Goedens, winning his second straight 360 sprint car title at Plymouth. He won
eight “A” main features en route to the championship by 78 points over Brandon
McMullen.
“The last two years have been great,” Don said. “It was
supposed to be a parttime deal, a shared ride. (Car owners) Bob and Dawn (Hood)
talked with my crew guys and my brother we just all clicked.”
Don started with the Hoods in 2013, racing part time with
Scotty Neitzel. In 2014, the deal became full time.
“What keeps me motivated is my crew guys,” Don said. “Every
time I get in the car, those guys are fired up. I go out there and run my
hardest every time and to come back with a win and see the smiles on their
faces. They did all the work on the car. I drive the car.
“They are serious about racing and they want to win races.”
Early in his career, Don often heard this when he pulled
into the garage area at the track: “Goeden’s here. Goeden’s here.”
“I remember pulling into the race track one time at Wilmot
and they said, ‘Goeden’s here. I guess we’re finishing second tonight,’” Don
said.
“To have that aura about my car and my team was great.”
Was it hard to reach the proverbial bar set by Dad?
“It was a goal that we had set, an achievement,” Don said.
“I knew that if we could get the right learning from him and from other drivers
... I just learned each night and took it all in and listened to other drivers
talk to other drivers, overhear what they say at driver’s meetings.
“Little by little, we got faster and faster.”
It didn’t take long for Don to get separation from his
legendary father.
It happened in his second year of racing. He qualified a
tenth-of-a-second slower than his father’s time. Willie’s time was 15.17
seconds and Don’s was 15.27 at Hales Corners.
“I came in after qualifying and he said, ‘How’d you do?’”
Don said. “I said, ‘I have a 15.27.’ He’s like, ‘You got a 16.27.’ I said, ‘No
dad. I got a 15.27.’ He said, ‘Really?’ “I think that was a stepping stone.”
The biggest lesson from Dad was to be respectful, and be
good to fans, sponsors and owners.
“It was a great honor to have my dad here,” Don said. “Us
kids learn some great things from our fathers.”
Don’s other motivation is simple.
“I’m still hungry,” he said. “I still like passing cars.”
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