"Where it all began..."

FORMER CHIEF STEWARD ENTERS HALL OF FAME "2003"
by SAFER Staff

    Former Riverhead Raceway Chief Steward Joe Larsen has been added to the Ernie Maynor Memorial S.A.F.E.R. Figure 8 Hall of Fame.  Joe's involvement with S.A.F.E.R. and Figure 8 racing has spanned parts of 4 decades. In 1997, Joe attended his first S.A.F.E.R. meeting as a crew member for his uncle, John Kraft, and became a member.  At the en of the 1978 season at Islip Speedway, Joe started driving his own car, which was built by Clay Walston.

    In 1979, Joe became S.A.F.E.R.'s Sergeant of Arms, and with nothing more than a fire suit and helmet, Joe arrived at Islip Speedway with hopes of qualifying for the 24-car field. A tough nut to crack, considering there were 70 plus Figure 8 cars in the pits on any given Saturday night.  Well, Joe ran 2 races per night, a heat and a consolation race.  It was that same year that Joe involved himself with the Ladies Division, which went on to become the Novice Division. He became the handicapper for this division while continuing to try his luck on the Figure 8 course.

    Joe took some time off in the early '80's and returned when he could to help his other uncle, Tom Kraft. Joe continued to attend S.A.F.E.R. meetings whenever possible, but never lost the desire to race. In 1989, Joe purchased a car owned by the Sprague brothers and was back on the track and having fun.  Joe again walked away from racing for a couple of years. When he returned, he found himself part of a Late Model team.  This only lasted a couple of years and Joe was back in the seat in 1995.

    Towards the end of the 1996 season, Joe was involved in a very serious crash.  He was asked to become an official by the late Bob O'Rourke.  Joe was immediately put in charge of the Figure 8 division.  Joe had the opportunity to work side by side with the late Walt Edsall and Bill Brice III, both S.A.F.E.R. Hall of Famers. This put Joe in line to take over the Chief Steward responsibilities after Edsall's untimely death.  Joe spent 4 seasons as Chief Steward before stepping down after the 2002 season.  His vacation from officiating was short-lived, as NASCAR Tour Director Ed Cox, tapped Joe on the shoulder to become the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Race Director.

    Joe continues to support S.A.F.E.R. and the Figure 8 division, because as Joe said, "The Figure 8 guys and gals are the best people in racing.  Always there when you need them."  No truer words have been spoken.  Good luck on the tour Joe, and welcome to the Hall.