Since acquiring Rowdy chassis in late 2018, Hamke Racecars and Parts has become a significant force in Super Late Model racing. Their commitment to driver safety, advanced engineering, and exceptional customer support is setting new standards in the industry.
Cody Glick, General Manager at Hamke Racecars and Parts, located in Mooresville, North Carolina, recounted a dramatic incident at the 2020 Snowball Derby. Veteran racer Boris Jurkovic endured a severe crash that Glick described as “one of the three worst” he had ever witnessed. Despite the car being totaled, Jurkovic reported only minor soreness, highlighting the protective capabilities of the Rowdy chassis. “The Rowdy car did well,” Jurkovic stated, “I hit it pretty hard, but everything did what it should.”
This incident, as Oertel and Glick explained to PRI Magazine, underscores Hamke Racecars and Parts’ unwavering dedication to driver safety. This principle is meticulously engineered into every of the 55 Rowdy chassis constructed by Hamke. Glick emphasized, “If things were done like they were done five years ago, he would have gotten hurt. One thing that really stands out for us is safety. That’s something we really strived to focus on.”
While safety is paramount, Hamke Racecars and Parts also aims for performance and victory. A Rowdy chassis secured a win at the Snowflake 100 in December, and at the 2020 Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway, Rowdy cars claimed 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th positions. Glick is ambitious for future races, stating, “I set a goal each year for how many cars we have at the Snowball Derby. For 2019, I projected 10, and we had eight. I projected 20 for 2020, and we had 18. We want to have 30 at the 2021 Derby.”
To achieve these ambitious goals, Oertel and Glick understand that chassis quality, superior aerodynamics, and comprehensive customer support are essential.
Legacy of Excellence: Hamke Race Cars and Parts
Justin Oertel’s deep-rooted involvement in racing spans decades. Alongside business partner Chrystal Beinlich, they established CJ Materials and Recycling twenty years ago, a concrete recycling firm in Lincolnshire, Illinois, which became a sponsor for race teams. This passion evolved into building race cars and engines for customers. Oertel also manages Hamner Sealed Engines, also located in Lincolnshire. “We wanted to make racing better for everybody,” Oertel explained. He further acknowledged, “We spent a lot of our own money to do that, but we couldn’t have done it without Cody and our employees; and Chrystal is a big part of what we do. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
In 2018, Oertel and Beinlich acquired Hamke Racecars and Parts from the renowned racer and car builder Robert Hamke upon his retirement. (Robert Hamke sadly passed away in July 2020.) They then partnered with Kyle Busch’s Rowdy Manufacturing brand to concentrate on Super Late Models. Kyle Busch maintains an affiliation but is not an owner. The company now employs a skilled team of 12, including experienced personnel from the original Hamke operation.
Engineering Simplicity and Superiority in Rowdy Chassis
Hamke Racecars and Parts’ philosophy in constructing the Rowdy chassis centers around simplifying designs that Glick believes have become overly complex for racers. “We’re taking out over-complicated engineering to make it simple again for the average racer,” he stated. “Repeatability is key for us. We spend tens of thousands of dollars on fixturing to make sure that happens. So, if you buy one chassis from us and then a second, you can take the shocks and springs off one and put them on the other and hit the race track driving.”
Matthew Craig, a 21-year-old champion with five Super Late Model titles, attests to the effectiveness of this approach. “The Rowdy cars have been really great,” Craig said. “They’re easy to work on. What I like most is that, at the track, if you make an adjustment, you can really feel the changes. It makes it a lot easier to dial in the car.”
Oertel and Glick are committed to affordability without compromising safety or performance. Glick also mentioned that the Rowdy chassis incorporates unique aerodynamic features, which he preferred not to disclose publicly. “We don’t spare expense, but we don’t exaggerate it, either,” Oertel added.
While emphasizing their investment in advanced equipment, Hamke Racecars and Parts recognizes that their most valuable asset is their team of 12 employees. These skilled technicians are praised by both management and customers. Oertel noted, “Racers see Cody and me, but they don’t usually see the faces of the people who make it possible for us to do our jobs.” Glick added, “We could not do this without them. They’re the heart and soul of this place.”
Boris Jurkovic echoes this sentiment, appreciating not only the safety features but also the engineering and build quality of Rowdy cars. “I’ve gotten to know the crew pretty well,” he said. “Everything they do is top quality. The welders are great. The craftsmanship is amazing. I do not think you’re going to get better equipment or support. I wish I had this stuff 20 years ago!”
Comprehensive Support Network for Racers
Hamke Racecars and Parts views the Rowdy chassis as more than just a product; it’s a comprehensive racing solution. They pride themselves on providing enhanced track support, fostering a feedback loop that drives continuous improvement for all Rowdy drivers.
This support system is crucial to Rowdy’s growth, attracting new drivers and elevating the performance of existing teams. Matthew Craig highlighted this collaborative environment, “They want to help all the Rowdy cars get better. They always come to you on the track to see how you’re doing and to offer help. They bring all the Rowdy drivers together. So, you get four to five teams adding their input and more people working toward making the cars better.” Jurkovic concurred, “Their input is great, and their knowledge is second to none.”
Unwavering Commitment to Driver Safety
Safety remains a central focus for Oertel and Glick. They emphasize that safety development is an ongoing process. Even after the impressive safety performance in Jurkovic’s crash, they view every incident as an opportunity for refinement. “Any advancements we’ve made since starting in December 2018 have focused on keeping the driver safe,” Oertel stated. He pointed out, “For example, we’ve got steel plates where others don’t.”
Glick also mentioned carbon fiber seats as a safety feature, acknowledging differing opinions within the racing community. “I think it’s a great seat,” he said. “It’s also the way we mount it that makes it a good, safe seat.” He further detailed their enhanced seat mounting system: “Our seat is mounted with a back plate as well as through the chassis again, right behind the mid-back of the driver, and also under the legs of the driver.”
Oertel and Glick’s commitment to innovation stems from their extensive racing experience. “Everything needed to be changed,” Oertel said. “Where before it might have taken somebody to get hurt to make a change, we’ve taken the necessary steps to eliminate that situation before somebody got hurt.”
Glick likened their approach to that of passenger car safety leaders, “We’ve thought of worst-case scenarios, such as ‘if the car hit the wall here’ or ‘if it catches on fire’ to try to prevent things we’ve seen in the past and incorporate into our chassis,” he explained. This commitment to safety innovation is a company-wide effort, leveraging the expertise of their entire team. “It’s a company decision on all things,” said Glick.
Expanding Reach Through Effective Marketing
Hamke Racecars and Parts actively utilizes social media to showcase the performance and safety of Rowdy chassis. They hired Molly Helmuth of 9D Creative to manage their marketing program, which has become a vital part of their outreach.
Helmuth, a former CARS Super Late Model Tour driver, relocated to North Carolina to manage Rowdy’s social media, website, and marketing initiatives. She consistently updates the company’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts with fresh content, including photos and videos from races and the shop.
“I like to highlight all the teams, all the pole positions and, of course, any wins. You have to keep the content fresh and relevant to the fans,” Helmuth explained. Her proximity to the shop enables her to provide timely updates, “It’s important for me to post up-to-date photos every week since operations move so quickly in the shop.”
Continuous Improvement and Future Vision
Hamke Racecars and Parts, led by Oertel and Glick, are driven by a clear vision of continuous improvement for Rowdy chassis and their racing teams. “It’s a non-stop learning process,” Oertel stated, emphasizing a long-term perspective. “On a daily basis, we’re trying to make things better, safer, and more affordable to help racers buy more and be able to race more. That is what’s going to keep us around for the next 20–30 years. Whatever we can do to give back to the sport and help the racers is better for everybody.”
