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The Racing Life of Karen Nugent

The Racing Life of Karen Nugent
Contributed by The Nugent Family

Karen and Larry Nugent got married on August 3rd, 1963.  Together they built a family with 5 children - 2 sons and 3 daughters.  Their racing journey started in 1965 where Karen stood beside Larry as he raced the in street stock division at Spencer Speedway for a year and then continued to work at the track.  Karen loved racing and it became a huge passion for her. 

Karen Nugent "Keith's Citgo" Memorial Race will be held Saturday, August 7th

In 1971, their son Keith was up to start his racing career in a Microd at Williamson Speedway.  He then continued his career in the Stock Car Division going from Spencer Speedway, to Holland ending at Perry Speedway (at the time).  In 1985, their other son Chad started his racing career also in a Microd at Williamson Speedway, then to Go Carts at Bliss International, Lancaster & Lime rock.  He then moved on to a dirt Street stock that he raced at Perry Speedway where he was the champion in 1997.  He also raced at Fulton, Canandaigua & Rolling Wheels.  Chad then moved on to a dirt Modified where he raced at Genesee Speedway.  Chad also had the opportunity to participate in the Andy Hilgenberg School @ Charlotte Motor Speedway and can still be seen today behind the wheel of a Modified at times. 

The racing passion did not stop with the 2 sons; it was also passed on to their kiddos.  In 2005, Evan, son of Chad, started his racing career in a Go Cart at Bliss International and in 2021 he moved into a dirt Sportsman racing at Outlaw Speedway.  In 2010, Lizzy, daughter of Chad, started her racing career in a Go Cart also at Bliss International.  In 2016, Ryan, son of Keith, started his racing career in a SST Modified at Wyoming County International Speedway.  Today Evan, Lizzy, and Ryan are still active in the racing circuit & carrying on their Grandma’s passion for the sport. 

The Nugent Racing Team has seen many years in the oval ring from asphalt to dirt in many different counties.  Through these years you would find Karen in the shop helping on the car, at the track helping sell tickets, clean, work in the concession stand, painting, taking pictures, sponsoring races and till her last season at the track you would find her in the front seat of the grandstands next to her family and her buddy Don, cheering on her favorites and of course yelling at the ones not following “her� rules!  She will be missed by many and that first row in the grandstands will be feeling the loss as well.

Please join us this Saturday, August 7th, as we host the Karen Nugent "Keith's Citgo" Memorial Race, which will be a 67 lap event for the SST Modifieds.  Additional details for the event can be found on our social media pages, as well as our website, www.thebullringwcis.com (refer to our home page).

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