Racers Racing for the Cure

Racers Racing for the Cure was started in the honor of Alex Burkett, an avid race fan. He was diagnosed in January 2008 with Pancreatic Cancer but was not willing to give up easily.

When Alex retired, from Crown Battery, he approached Jody Burkett, his daughter-in-law, and told her that just because I am retiring does not mean that I do not want to be involved. If you are fundraising, or raising money for someone in need...you can get a hold of me at any time, any place and I will be there to give whatever you need. He was ALWAYS available to listen or help in any way that he possibly could, whether it was helping financially, emotionally, listening, giving his advice or opinion. He always had a way of letting you know what you did, right or wrong, without making you feel bad about your decision. He was one of the few people that could walk through the whole plant and acknowledge each and every person by name. He had an open-door policy, whether it was at work, at home, or on the race track. 

Alex introduced his young family to his passion, of racing. In fact, Alex and Judy's wedding night was actually spent at the race track at the Fremont Speedway. Eventually, as their family grew, their children were at the race tracks every weekend watching and forming their own "heroes" on the track. During the 1965 season they used their "family vehicle" a 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible as the pace car...they still own that car to this day. It will be driven as the pace car during our Burkett Family Memorial Race on July 5, 2009 at the Fremont Speedway.  In the early 1970's Toby Ziegler, owner of the McCutheonville's Raceway, was injured at the Fremont Speedway, so Alex and Judy stepped up to keep McCutchenville's track running....along with a few other people...they did this as a favor to Toby and were not compensated. To name a few: De and Marilyn Genzman, Jim Wollam, Alex Burkett (Alex's father), Jack and Madelyn Staib, Clarence Rosenberger, etc. Alex kept score while Judy worked in concessions.  He then dabbled as a car owner. He purchased a Mercury Comet and Ford Fairlane which they purchased at a junkyard in Crestline. While building the car....they nearly burnt the house down...they pulled the seats out by using a torch and threw them in the backyard...if the neighbor lady would not have seen the fire...we could have lost our house. Talk about dedication. His next venture was painting race cars out of our garage. He did the Keegan twins, Joey Keegan, his brother's, Roger Burkett, and finally for his son-in-law, David Harrison. He became Director of Motorsports at Crown Battery where he helped with sponsorships, including the All-Star circuit of Champions, David Harrison, Hammer Motorsports, the Patynko Motor Sports, the Davis Brothers, MSD Racing, and the New Fremont Speedway and anyone else that needed help along the way...including the Tressel Vessel.

You would always see Alex around the track with his a huge, crooked smile on his face, with his blue Crown Battery shirt, and Crown Battery hat, meeting and greeting all of the drivers and fans of the track. He always had something positive to say to everyone. His favorite race was the Australian pursuit...standing on the front stretch on Crown Battery sponsored night watching the best of the best out on the track.

Alex was always about giving back...that is where all of his family has gotten their generosity. Even while he was in the hospital fighting this terrible disease, he insisted we give back everything he used....including the blood that was donated to him...on the first night he went through over 22 units of blood so he insisted on a blood drive, he also wanted to donate to Pancreatic Cancer Research. This particular type of cancer is the most lethal,  but it is also the most underfunded. He did not want anyone to go through what he went through...EVER! So to honor his wishes the entire Burkett family has banded together and formed Racers Racing for the Cure to help give back to those families who are in need of help, whether it be blood, donations, or a helping hand. Last year we were able to donate over $18,000 to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Sandusky County, as well as, have 71 units of blood donated to the American Red Cross. This was a very amazing and generous donation made by the huge following of the race fans and of our beloved, Alex Burkett.

Alex left behind his beautiful wife, Judy, of nearly 45 years. Together they had four children, Jim, Kim, Teri, and Mike.  There are 14 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren (and one more on the way). He always seemed to make time for each of them, whether it was planning a post-race cookout at the hauler, a family holiday get-together, birthday, or vacation.

Although his greatest joy was racing...he was very proud of his family because he knew no matter what happened to him...they would live on for him. One of the things he repeatedly told us in the hospital was there is nothing greater than your family...cherish them and spend time with them.

People are constantly asking us..."how are you and your family doing" and while at the Tiffin Mall show...we were asked that very same question again...but this little tag line was added..."things like this sometimes drives families apart".  But this has done just the opposite...we have always been a close-knit family, but now we are even more so. We are determined to let  him live on forever...and we want to do that by honoring him...what a better way than through :

The Racers Racing for the Cure!

God Bless each and everyone of you who have helped our cause along the way. We certainly do appreciate you and everything you have done for us!