The inside story: Mike was on the city commission for the past few years, and is the guy responsible for the annual volunteer workers party (put on by SCTA) being morphed into a community picnic hosted by Wendover and the SCTA. It's held now at the city's recreation center/meeting hall a couple of blocks south of Wendover Avenue, on Thursday of SpeedWeek. It's only two years old -- but there's a good turnout and it's fun.
Mike is pretty active in the community, too. In case you don't know - he owns the Car Quest shop at the end of town - and opens early/stays open late during race events. He also builds his own customized Corvettes -- and is the driving force behind the annual car show/Vette drive-in at the Wendover Field Air show (usually right after World of Speed). For the sake of further disclosure, his sister, Kerri, is one of the ladies that runs the West Wendover Welcome Center. She makes sure the Center is stocked with race stuff -- photos, books, information for tourists on what's happening locally in the LSR venue. She usually sets up a booth near the Red Flame to offer spectators some information about Wendover -- and to gather more information about us folks for the Center. She's also tall, though not as tall as Mike.
So -- Hizzoner, the Mayor. Mike told us how he and another guy had been on the commission for quite a while and the mayor's job was to become available. He told the other guy that he (Mike) didn't want to be mayor, so the other guy was going to run for it. Then he dropped out -- and Mike ended up being the likely candidate. He didn't want the job as much as was willing to accept it when thrust upon him.
Still -- it can't hurt land speed racing to have someone that's pretty interested in our avocation - as mayor of one of the twin towns that's right be our venue. No, I don't think he can do anything about motel rates -- but you're welcome to get in touch and ask. I don't have his number right handy -- but you can go to the Car Quest site and find it.
Congratulations to Mike Crawford, the new mayor of Wendover, Utah.
