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Rick Hahn's comeback trail to racing began opening night at the M40 Speedway.  The Late Model driver who had started out his racing career in South Bend back in 1992, was looking forward to getting back behind the wheel.  His son Rick Jr., had been driving the No. 22 Late Model for the past three seasons.  Rick Sr. was unable to drive as he had to have back surgery in 2004.  Rick Sr., did not know when he would be able to return to the driver seat.  The Mishawaka, Indiana native says his son had started college and was part of the decision for the elder Hahn to return to the driver seat.

Rick always ran in the Late Model division from the start of his racing career.  This meant a strict learning curve.  Over his career, Hahn has driven at tracks such as Kalamazoo Speedway, New Paris, South Bend, and Plymouth.  Hahn has also ran in the IRP series, down in Indiana.

The adrenaline rush is what Hahn says he loves most about racing.  Owning a service station in the early 90s, Hahn started into racing as a sponsor to other racers.  After a few years of being a sponsor, Hahn decided to get into a car of his own, jumping into a Late Model.  Hahn also spent time in drag racing.  "I'm a car nut", said Hahn.

Hahn plans on running a few special Late Model shows this season.  "I'm just playing this season", said Hahn, who doesn't plan on running for points.  He plans on running shows such as The Kalamazoo Klash, The Summer Sizzler, and any other venues that sound intriguing.

Although he'll run some special Late Model shows this season, Hahn said he likes his home track being M40.  "Its a nice clean track that's not to far from home.  There are a group of guys I run against here, we all try to help each other out", said Hahn.

During the race season, Hahn and crew put in four nights a week on the car.  There's even an all day-er which is either Saturday or Sunday.  "There's a lot of money spent during the race season",said Hahn.  If he could change anything about the sport, that the money spent would be one of them, restricting the classes would be the other.  "Keeping the competition close with restrictions", said Hahn.

Rick Hahn has enjoyed success on the track.  "2003, I won the dash, the heat, and the feature on my mom's birthday", Hahn recalls.  Hahn's mother had already past on due to cancer.  "It meant a lot", he added.

Losing his mom was very difficuolt for Rick.  On the track, Hahn recalls his most devistating moment came in 1999.  With a brand new Late Model entering the season, it was only two weeks later that the car would get destroyed in a huge on track accident.

"Back problems will determine how long I continue racing", said Hahn. "Most likely I will never walk away from the sport", he added.  The self proclaimed "car nut" loves the sport too much.

Rick's advice for the up and coming drivers, " have fun, make friends, help each other out.  Only a few elite make it in the sport". said Hahn.

Rick would like to thank Pat Seese ( Bankruptcy attorney) for all his help, as well as the five to six drivers for their help during his racing career.

You can come out and watch Rick Hahn run his No.22 Late Model every Friday night in the 2009 season at the M40 Speedway.