Veteran of the Night
Hawkeye Downs is honored to recognize our local heroes and share an evening with our nation’s veterans at the races. On scheduled weekly race nights, Hawkeye Downs and our community partners welcome one veteran to celebrate their commitment to our country and show our support and gratitude for their service.
Additionally, Hawkeye Downs Speedway staff would like to invite veterans in our community to a night at the track with discounted admission. Admission for active duty military and veterans is just $9 for weekly racing events. More information on weekly racing admission can be found here. Tickets are available at the gate.
Thank you to our Veteran of the Night supporters,
Honor and Respect, LLC and Freedom Foundation!
Meet Our 2024 Veterans
Curt Phillips
Curt joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and served a tour of duty as a Corpsman in Cambodia as part of the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1970. Curt was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Curt was honorably discharged in 1975, attaining the rank of E-5. Curt and his family are from Solon, Iowa. He is an active member and volunteer with the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460.
John Carnahan
John Carnahan enlisted in the United States Marines in 2013. He attended MCRD San Diego, then went to Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton. From there, he completed his MOS training at Camp Johnson and was sent to Maintenance Company CLB 451, where he worked as a 3521 Motor-T mechanic. In corporal rank, he served as squad leader for the 1st squad of the 1st platoon and shop chief, where he was responsible for overseeing operations in the 451 shop. During his career, he was sent across the country to places like Ayer and Albany to assist the Combat Readiness units.
John served a total of six years in the Marines. He has been involved in enduro racing at Hawkeye Downs Speedway since 2022. He has designed his car with a military theme to honor the 22 service members we lose each day to suicide. John has remained committed to his racing career, specifically to raise awareness for our military members in mental health crisis. He now races with the Sunline Hornets each week to show our military men and women that we see them, we care about them, and we want them to get the help they need. His race car is meant to remind them that it's okay to reach out for help when they are struggling.
Todd Stark
Todd served in the National Guard from 1983 to 1989. During his time in the National Guard, Todd's primary focus was radio communications. Todd is a proud veteran living in Eastern Iowa, and he is proud to currently serve our community of veterans at the Freedom Foundation as a board member and pantry volunteer. Todd's assistance in the food pantry specifically allows the Freedom Foundation to serve more than 2,000 veterans with food and personal care items. More than 44,000 pounds of food and personal care items are distributed annually through the food pantry.
Jock Stevenson
Jock followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Army National Guard in 1965. He attended basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia and AIT at Fort Ord in California. He was called to active duty during the Vietnam War in 1968 and was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. During his military career he served as a Spec 5 and Company Clerk. Jock moved to Cedar Rapids while advancing his career in the banking industry and retired from his role as Executive Vice President at F&M Bank in 2007. In his free time, Jock enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time with family.
Dell Morse
Dell joined the US Navy in 1981. Two of those years were served on sea duty on board various aircraft carriers. He was an AT2 Avionics Technician and AEW Systems Analyst on E2C Hawkeyes, reaching the Petty Officer 2nd Class rank. Dell is also an honorable shellback, a title given to him during a ceremony when his ship crossed the equator for the first time. Dell grew up racing. This includes RC cars, RC airplanes, motorcycle hare scrambles, and motocross until an injury in 2017 forced him off the dirt bikes. 2024 marks Dell's second racing season at Hawkeye Downs; who drives the blue and gold 220 Zippy Salt Barn enduro/Sprint car? This year, he will compete against his wife, Carilyn, in her first season driving the green and purple 16G Enduro/Sprint car.
Shannon Sampson
Shannon served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1995 to 2003. She worked as an Automated Logistical Specialist, serving the supply section, training new soldiers in preparation for basic training, and handling various administrative duties. Shannon may look familiar to some in our community as she is a retired police officer as well. She began her career at the Cedar Rapids Police Department in the Records Division and volunteered as a police explorer in 1995. Shannon became a reserve officer in 1997 and was hired as a full-time police officer in 1998. In her time with the CRPD, she was assigned to various divisions and specialty assignments, including patrol, hostage negotiations, honor guard, and crime prevention and community outreach. She also served as a field training officer. Shannon has made a lasting impact in both her military and law enforcement careers. She retired after 26 years of service in October 2021. In her retirement, she volunteers with Safe Kids Linn County and spends her free time with her husband, Mike, and her family.
Julie Foley & Neil Foley
Sergeant Julie Foley served active duty in the US Army from 1978 to 1982 at Augsburg, Germany, and then Garmisch, Germany, as a Chapel Activities Specialist, followed by five years in the South Dakota National Guard.
Staff Sergeant Neil Foley served active duty in the US Air Force from 1980 to 1987, first at RAF Mildenhall, England, and then at Ellsworth Air Force base in South Dakota as an Airborne Command Post Equipment Technician.
Garland Alff & Marcia Cook
Garland Alff served in the Army National Guard from 1984 to 1993 in the 234th Signal Battalion Company A as a signal wire installer. He was recognized eight times as “Solider of the Month” and served in seven states and Germany. He has worked at Ferguson, right across the street from Hawkeye Downs, for the last 14 years. Garland is the father of three and has six grandchildren who keep him entertained.
Marcia Cook served in the Army National Guard. She enlisted in 1989 and served as a switchboard operator. She was recognized as “Solider of the Month” multiple times during her service - and she even beat Garland in the running for “Solider of the Year” in 1991. Marcia worked as a dental hygienist for nearly 20 years in Cedar Rapids. In June 2024, Marcia passed away unexpectedly. Everyone who knew Marcia felt she had the world’s biggest heart, as she was always loving and serving others in her personal and professional life. Her sons, Andrew and Austin, will represent her memory on the track in honor of her service to our country.
James Nickerson
James Nickerson joined the Army at 18 and served in the Infantry from 2004 to 2014. During his service, he served 2 tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant before being medically retired. His time in the military taught him what it is to be a leader.
Gene Lorsung
Gene Lorsung graduated early from high school to join the Navy. He served from 1980 to 1984 as a Mass Management Specialist. While serving on the USS Henry Clay submarine he prepared thousands of meals for his fellow servicemembers. Gene described his time in the Navy as a great experience, one he wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
Dan Hartman
Dan Hartman joined the Navy at 18, following in the footsteps of his family as a second-generation military man. He began his service in 1987 as a radar operator on the USS Guadalcanal. He is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War in 1987, a Mediterranean Cruise in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm. After serving his country on combat tours he was chosen to transition to a role as a U.S. Navy recruiter. Dan retired in 2007 as a Senior Chief after a distinguished 20-year career.
Josh Cassill
Josh Cassill, a first-generation military member, joined the United States Marines at age 17. He served as a generator mechanic in North Carolina and Colorado. Josh described his time in the Marines as the best and hardest thing he's ever done, but he had a great time doing it. He currently drives in the Hornet Class at Hawkeye Downs with a number 22 on his car, bringing awareness to the 22 Veterans who commit suicide every day.
Dakota Olson
Dakota Olson joined the military at 18, right after graduating from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, IA. He served as a United States Marine at Camp Pendleton as a Machine Gunner. Today, Dakota continues to support veterans by being part of the Teufel Hunden Veterans Group, a nonprofit organization that assists veterans in Linn and Jones Counties.
Stephanie Leeland
Stephanie joined the Army at 19 and served as a Military Police Officer from 2015 to 2024. During her service as a sergeant, she was deployed to Qatar, where she assisted with security for Afghan refugees. She also served as a Military Police Investigator and was the Master Fitness Trainer for the 339th MP Company in Davenport, IA. Stephanie joined the Army to learn how to respond effectively in emergency situations and how to protect herself and loved ones.
Nick Ackerman
Nick Ackerman joined the United States Marines at age 20 in January 2011 and served for 8 years as a 1371 Combat Engineer. Nick deployed for 9 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served as route clearance, ensuring the safety of his fellow Marines. He also participated in several humanitarian missions, including deployments to Puerto Rico, Arizona, and New Orleans. Nick believes that one of the great things about the military is the sense of family it provides; even though family isn't always blood-related, your military family will always be there for you.
Veteran of the Night Supporters
Honor and Respect, LLC
Honor and Respect strives to prioritize mental health for all first responders, veterans, and their families. We want to let them know that they are never alone. Honor and Respect has had the honor of being able to donate to various organizations that share their mission in helping our nation's heroes make their mental health a priority. Learn more on their website www.honor-respect.com.
Freedom Foundation
The Freedom Foundation in Cedar Rapids brings veterans and civilians together to make a difference in the lives of those who have served with a "Veterans Helping Veterans" approach to navigating the challenges of everyday life after serving our country. The Freedom Foundation provides numerous programs and services to Veterans. These programs and services include a Pantry, recreational activities, the operation of the "Veterans Temporary Housing/Shelter Program" for homeless and displaced Veterans, a Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, and our hosting of a free weekly Thursday luncheon, serving our Veterans a well-deserved "home cooked meal."
More information about the Freedom Foundation their programs can be found on their website and Facebook page.
Interested in nominating a veteran in your life for our Veteran of the Night program?
We are now accepting nominations for local veterans to be recognized in our 2025 racing season. Please submit your nomination to our board member, Nicole Schroeder, via the button below.