State Fair Speedway Q&A: Robert Sellers

Memorial Day weekend is always special to race car fans. Local dirt tracks across America have special races dedicated to the holiday. Sprint car driver Robert Sellers Swill also reflect on his military brethren who have fallen in defense of our country. Sellers has won three sprint car championships at State Fair Speedwayand serves in the Air National Guard as a structural repair mechanic. Two years ago, Sellers served over three months in Uzbekistan.

As a soldier, what does this weekend mean to you?

From a standpoint of remembering all the men that have died serving our country, I don't know if I can put into words how much Memorial Day means to me. I can't explain the gratitude I have for those men. I really hope the nation as a whole will take the time to remember them.

It really seems like the racing industry as a whole does a really good job embracing Memorial Day.

Race fans kind of get labeled as rednecks, but it is really just your grass roots people who understand the importance of the holiday and where we really come from.

Your son, Shane Sellers, has been racing the past few years at the speedway. He recently graduated into the Air National Guard. What does that mean to you?

It means a whole lot. Shane really listened to me when I tried to steer him into that direction. The Air Force really takes care of you. They pay for your college and really take care of you, and I am really proud of him.

Are you worried about him possibly being deployed?

Sure, you worry about that. But when you sign on that dotted line, you are making a commitment to protect your country if you are called upon.

By Scott Sharp