The Keselowski and Cook families are among the first families that come to mind when talking about auto racing at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways.
This weekend, Michigan International Speedway is just as big for the two.
Brothers Brian and Brad Keselowski and Terry and Jerry Cook are in the Irish Hills area this weekend and the four hope there is plenty of racing ahead. The four also are in somewhat unfamiliar territory.
All four got their racing starts at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways. Terry Cook was a late model driver for nearly 10 years at Toledo before launching a successful career in the NASCAR truck series. This weekend he is trying to make his first start at MIS in the Nationwide Series.
Brian, a regular in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and in local late model racing, has been driving the No. 26 car, however he recently gave up his seat for his family’s team and has assumed crew chief duties.
Jerry Cook did not come to MIS in June. Instead, Cook, who used to live in Ottawa Lake and is a veteran in local late models, started a new job this season for Joe Gibbs Racing team. Cook started with the team several years ago after a long stint as crew chief in the NASCAR Truck Series. He moved from Ottawa Lake to North Carolina and worked his way up for the Home Depot team in the car driven by Tony Stewart.
“Greg Zipadelli came to me and he knew that I wanted to race with my son. He asked me if I would work back in the shop. So that’s what I did,” Cook said.
Taylor, 15, a former Whiteford High School student, has been racing go-karts but Cook said he will soon start driving an open wheel modified car. “It’s a good time,” Cook said Friday at MIS. “We have our moments. He wants to do his thing, and I want to do things my way. But it’s fun.”
This weekend, Cook is at MIS because the wife of the regular car chief of the No. 20 car is due to have a baby any day. If he leaves the track, Cook will take over those duties.
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