Beatrice Speedway sees biggest turnout yet to remember race enthusiast Joey Hergott

BEATRICE, Neb. (KLKN) – People closest to Joey Hergott say, ‘he knew how to bring the fun.’

After his death in 2024, his community wanted to find a way to keep doing the things Hergott loved; racing.

The racing enthusiast contributed to race culture by providing sponsorships to paying for fuel.

He was a role model to many who grew up in the grandstands and his memory is honored annually at the Beatrice Speedway for the Joey Hergott Memorial Race.

“When you have a guy like that that people get to know and want to be involved with, people want to support it,” said Jordan Grabouski, a national championship winner.

Grabouski, along with his wife Whitney and many of Hergott’s family and friends help organize the memorial each year.

He says the turnout this year is the biggest yet for the Beatrice Speedway, which has been around for seven decades.

A reflection of how the racing community rolls, and a reason why Joey supported it so much.

“It’s not about the racers. It’s about what the event means and having the people here and making it special,” said Grabouski.

With over 50 local sponsors, the race has over 200 cars in it with drivers who’ve come from over 20 states.

The grandstands were packed with many wearing shirts with Joey’s name on it over a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, his favorite drink.

“He’s just a good dude. He cared. You could tell he loved his family and loved his friends and always would bend over backwards,” said Grabouski.

Hergott’s son, Tyler, spoke to Channel 8 about what his dad would think about Monday’s race.

“He liked to see those drivers make it. Tonight, would do him a lot of justice, to see the car count and the number of people that showed up tonight,” he said.

Joey would sponsor drivers year-round and now his wife, Audra, is following in his tracks and continuing nearly 8 sponsorships.

A number that keeps growing.

“It’s an expensive hobby for people. He would make sure guys had fuel money, and sponsorships,” said Tyler, who is carrying on his dad’s legacy is in a different way.

Tyler’s son was born just one day after Joey’s passing, so he decided to name his son after him.

“We hope he falls in love with the sport like his grandfather did and maybe one day he’ll have his own car,” said Tyler.

The raceway says it’s incredible to see this kind of support, it helps keep the racing community strong and Joey’s memory alive.

“Our small towns need big events like this to keep them going, you know, and I feel like we’ve truly helped that,” said Grabouski.

If you would like to check out the races at the Beatrice Speedway, you can do so during the Gage County Fair and Expo.