During the May 2-4 J.W. Performance Transmissions Thunder Valley Southern Shootouts, fans can expect to see exciting races for very large purses and a Pro-Mod grudge match featuring Scott Cannon Jr. and Chip King. 

The Cannon name is synonymous with Pro-Mod racing and fans in attendance can expect a big show from the pair.

While the Pro-Mods make exhibition passes, Bristol’s Ken Haga will be in the pits serving as the crew chief on his daughter Kendra’s car.  For the Haga family, success in racing, and in life, can be measured differently.

For the past four years, Haga has taken part in a mission trip to Costa Rica where he, along with a group from the Abingdon District of the United Methodist Church, helps construct churches in rural areas.

Each year, Haga spends a week with the same family in the same Costa Rican village.  The mother sews to earn enough money to raise her 22 children.  Most of the houses are open rooms with quilts draped from the roof to simulate walls.  Very few homes have electricity and those with power only have one outlet and no hot water.

“The biggest satisfaction comes from the way the people treat you,” Haga said.  “They give up the main bed in their homes for us.  They give up everything they have to make us comfortable, but they are so happy to have us.”

The trip to Costa Rica helps put things in perspective for Haga.  Many mothers and fathers support their families by harvesting sugar cane and pineapples at a rate of about $1.25 per hour.  Haga tries to take a different person with him each year to experience the culture and to better understand Haga’s passion for the ministry.

“We all pay to go over,” said Haga, “and the money goes to purchase all of the supplies we will need to work on the churches.  We work on the church for a week, and then go back the next year and pick up where we left off.”

When he returns home to Thunder Valley, Haga, who helped construct the suites at Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway, enjoys his other passion, racing. 

“I used to race at the old track, and then started racing the brackets when they began here in 1992,” he said.  “Drag racing is a like a disease.  Once you make a pass, you can’t give it up.”

Haga has been racing since he and his brother bought their first race car and began racing in Knoxville in the ‘70s.

“I love the sport because I like being with the same people,” he says.  “When we aren’t racing, we go to each others houses and bench race.  I’ve only been in one final since I started racing, but I’m okay with that.  I enjoy being out here with these people.”

As much as he enjoys sliding behind the wheel and thundering down the famed Bristol track, Haga acknowledges that Kendra’s racing career brings him the most satisfaction.

“Two or three years ago, my daughter decided she wanted to race.  My biggest joy is that she wants to do that,” he admits.  “Deep down, I’m a builder, and I love that she wants to do this too.”

Race fans will be able to see how well Haga tunes his daughter’s car during the May 2-4 Thunder Valley Southern Shootouts at Bristol Dragway.

The J.W. Performance Transmissions Thunder Valley Southern Shootouts, which will offer a combined purse in excess of $50,000, includes a 4.70 heads-up class, Mikebosracing.com Super Pro, and Virginia Laser Corporation Pro competition.