+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQ Wednesday, November 22, 2023 -- SEVEN
Mustangs ‘pass the
torch’ with new
football tradition
Heppner teen racing prodigy
-Continued from PAGE ONE
Hayden with her racing helmet. - Photo by Chris Sykes
(L-R ) Brandy Stills, Hayden Rossi, Joseph Stills and Quent-
en Eugene standing in front of thier giant checks at their
home in Heppner. - Photo by Chris Sykes
(L-R ) Landon Mitchell, Caden George, Cameron Proud-
foot. - Photo by Ken Grieb
(R) Hayden wearing her Hans Device. (L) Fireproof safety
boots. - Photo by Chris Sykes
Hayden in her car at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway getting
UHDG\WRWDNHR൵ - Contributed Photo
¿UVW UDFH DW %UHPHUWRQ
Raceway, clinched the
Halloween Classic title in
Boise, Idaho in 2022, and
even participated in a race
broadcasted on ESPN,
showcasing her skills on a
national platform. The Na-
tional Hot Rod Association
rewarded her exceptional
driving with two Wallys,
drag racing’s most presti-
gious trophy.
The Stills’ dedica-
tion to racing is evident,
Hayden’s mom, Bran-
dy, dials in the car which
means she puts a number
on it if she doesn’t trust
the computer, and Joseph
takes care of motor swaps,
tire pressure, oil changes,
and tune-ups, and the kids
do the racing. The family
works as a team, ensuring
Hayden and her brother
Quenten are ready to dom-
inate the tracks.
In 2022, when Hayden
was racing in Yakima, she
came in and anxiously told
her dad that she had hit a
pothole on the track. How-
ever, upon further inspec-
tion, they discovered that
KHUZHLJKWWDQNKDGÀLSSHG
DQGIDOOHQR൵DQGVKHKDG
inadvertently run over it.
A weight tank is a crucial
tool used for adding or re-
moving weight, as racing
rules dictate that competi-
tors must not exceed a cer-
tain weight limit. Hayden’s
dad always weighs her
before each race to en-
sure compliance with the
weight restriction. Anoth-
er time she experienced a
malfunction in her brakes
and was forced to rely on
PRPHQWXPWR¿QLVKWKH¿-
nal part of the race. Laugh-
ing, Hayden’s father said,
“One year Hayden burned
8 clutches and blew up two
motors.”
When they go to rac-
es, they make sure to eat a
very healthy diet. Hayden,
in particular, consumes
a lot of limes and salt as
she tends to get dehydrat-
ed out on the track. Due
to the long waiting time
before she can race in full
uniform, she often sits in
the car for 45 minutes to
an hour. After the race, her
dad usually cooks BBQ in
WKHLQ¿HOG
Of course, racing isn’t
MXVW DERXW WKH PRQH\ IRU
the Stills. It’s about pure
HQMR\PHQW DQG ORYH IRU
the sport. The big checks
Hayden wins are split
50/50, with half going to-
wards necessary expens-
es like replacement parts,
fuel, and food, while the
other half goes to the kids.
Racing is their passion,
and they make sure to have
fun as a family, with Jo-
seph even stripping down
the cars completely during
the winter to prepare for
the next season.
After taking a break
from racing due to wreck-
ing his car, Hayden’s
younger brother, Quenten
is getting back on track.
The Stills family knows
that racing is not without
risks, which is why they
ensure that safety is a top
SULRULW\ +D\GHQ LV RXW¿W-
WHGZLWKD¿UHSURRIKHOPHW
shoes, gloves, and a full
suit to protect her in the
A new tradition has
been started by Heppner
Mustang head football
coach Greg Grant. This
year’s senior football play-
ers wrapped the football
cleats that they wore this
season on the goalpost on
WKH0XVWDQJSUDFWLFH¿HOG
All the members of the
0XVWDQJIRRWEDOODQGMXQLRU
high football teams were
in attendance for the pass-
ing of the torch ceremony.
Coach Grant talked about
how these three seniors
were great teammates and
leaders in the program. He
then encouraged all the
players present to follow
these seniors’ lead as they
continued their careers at
Heppner High School.
Each of the three
seniors addressed their
teammates on what it meant
to them to be a part of the
Mustang football program.
7KH\ WKHQ R൵HUHG DGYLFH
on how to help keep the
«Mustang Tradition» alive
and well.
$395,000
NEW LISTING
+D\GHQVKRZLQJKHU¿UHSURRIUDFLQJVXLW
- Photo by Chris Sykes
event of a crash. She also
wears arm restraints and a
Hans device, which keeps
her head and neck stable
and safe. Racing may be
thrilling, but the Stills fam-
ily understands that pre-
cautions are essential.
As Hayden looks to
the future, she has her
sights set on becoming a
professional race car driv-
er. With each race, she is
honing her skills and gain-
ing experience. Next year,
she will be competing in
the Super and Jr. divi-
sions, where cars can reach
speeds of up to 140 mph.
Hayden’s need for speed
is undeniable, and her de-
termination and talent are
sure to take her far in the
HHS Donkey Basketball Fundraiser
racing world.
When Hayden isn’t
UDFLQJ VKH HQMR\V GUDZ-
ing and spending time
with her friends. She loves
chicken and dumplings,
and her favorite singer is
Zack Bryan. Surprisingly
enough, her favorite movie
is “Hairspray.”.
To catch a glimpse of
Hayden’s racing adven-
tures, follow her Free Spir-
it Racing on Instagram and
Facebook. She may be a
Giant Killer on the tracks,
but this young champion is
MXVW JHWWLQJ VWDUWHG :DWFK
out, racing world, because
Hayden Rossi is coming in
hot!
Discover peace and seclusion on this expansive
forty-acre parcel boasting a fully functional two-bed-
room, one-bathroom cabin. Embrace the breathtaking
views of the mountains from the upper level’s reverse
living 640 square foot great room. In the summer,
explore the property’s ATV trails, while in the winter,
delight in t snowmobiling or sledding with access to
thousands of acres of National Forest Land located at
the property’s corner. LOP tags may be available for
hunting enthusiasts, or simply relish in the opportu-
nity to observe the abundant wildlife that frequently
visits the property, including elk, deer, bear, and
WXUNH\(QMR\WKHFRQYHQLHQFHRIDSULYDWHZHOOZLWK
DEDFNXSYDOYH¿OOHGFLVWHUQWZRQDWXUDOVSULQJV
electricity, and internet access, ensuring utmost com-
fort and connectivity.
80439 Black Mountain Ln Heppner
MLS#:23425595
177 N. Main
P.O. Box 337
Heppner, OR 97836
Chris@sykesrealestate.net
Broker
Chris Sykes
541-215-2274
Wishing Each of You a
Wonderful Season of
Thanksgiving!
From All of Us in
HEPPNER
HEPPNER
ADMINISTRATION
BRANCH
250 NW Gale St.
279 N. Main St.
541-676-0201
541-676-9125
MORTGAGE
IONE
HEPPNER OFFICE
BRANCH
269 N. Main St.
280 Main St.
541-676-9884
541-422-7466
xx
Heppner High School had their annual Donkey Basketball fundraiser on the 20 th of this
month. The fundraiser money goes to the Christmas giving tree/ adopt a family project to
help families in need this holiday season .
MEMBER FDIC