It took a little persuading from his nephew, but Kevin Youngquist of Barney, N.D., decided to build a Mini Stock prior to the 2019 season.
He had some reluctance back then. Now, he has zero regrets.
“I’ve been having a blast with it,” Youngquist said. “It’s cheap and fun.”
This season, things are going pretty well for Youngquist and his #00 machine: he’s leading the Mini Stock points at Sheyenne Speedway in Lisbon and is fourth in the Short Tracker points at I-94 Sure Step Speedway in Fergus Falls. He has six top five finishes.
Youngquist, who works for Minn-Kota Ag Products, actually started racing a few years ago in a Wissota Midwest Modified.
“I’d been going to races since I was a little kid. My dad and Grandpa went out every Friday night, we’d go to West Fargo. I always wanted to do it,” Youngquist said. “I had the money, so let’s try it.”
He had a hard crash in turn four at I-94 a few years ago in the B mod and that may have began the process of switching classes.
His nephew is Shawn Beto of Wahpeton. Beto wanted to hop into a Mini Stock, and that is where the process of Youngquist hopping into a Mini Stock began. Beto drives the #0 Mini Stock.
“My nephew, he wanted to do it. I didn’t think that class was any fun,” Youngqiusr said. “He found a car and I said we’ll try it for a while. And I said if I find a car, I’ll get it. I found a street car and built it over the winter.”
Youngquist’s car is a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire. Right away in 2019, he got a taste of success — winning a feature at Sheyenne in just his second night out. As of now, that stands as his only career feature win, although he’s been close on several occasions.
“I was excited, I won the second night out in the car,” Youngquist said. “I haven’t got one since. I get close. I’ve been bridesmaid a few times but never the bride.”
Youngquist’s #00 machine is self-funded, but one thing he has displayed on his car is Jessy’s Toy Box, a non-profit organization that collects toys and gift cards who children in the hospital.
While he is aiming for his first feature win of 2020 — and second of his career — he also has his sights set on winning the track championship at Sheyenne. He leads points by 14 over Justin Hainline at Sheyenne Speedway. He has three top fives and five top 10s at the track this season.
“It’s been going pretty good. Hopefully I can hold on at Lisbon to win,” Youngquist said. “That’s my goal. It’s a really tight battle.”
Driver Profile
Kevin Youngquist
#00 Short Tracker/Mini Stock
Residence: Barney, N.D.
Age: 38
Has Jessy’s Toy Box on car, which is a non-profit organization that collects toys, gift cards that help kids in hospital.
That's my boy!!