7/15/2024
Worthington Speedway
Worthington Speedway to Honor Jim Larson and Ron Luitjens as new Hall of Fame Members on July 16th
It’s a family affair when it comes to nights at the track for the Larson family. This isn’t new to them, as this has been the norm for them since Jim Larson started racing in 1991. Jim started his racing career in 1991 at the Jackson Speedway in Jackson, MN. That year he won his first track championship and started the beginning of a lifelong passion that he shared with his entire family.
Jim spent his racing career within the hobby stock class, and then in the stock car class. It wasn’t long until his passion was passed on to his sons Dustin and Jeffery Larson. There would come a time when the 5L, 6L, and 7L would share the track. Jim was a very proud dad and enjoyed watching his boys grow their love for racing, even maybe more than he loved racing himself.
Throughout Jim’s racing career, he had an astounding 245 feature wins. His first-ever track championship was at the Jackson Speedway during his first year of racing in 1991. He then went on to have several other track championships at local tracks such as Jackson, Slayton, Worthington, and Fairmont.
Jim fought a courageous battle with ALS, and even while battling continued the Larson family tradition by spending time at the track until the very end of his battle. Jim no doubt brought entertainment to the racetrack, and you can see his passion passed down to his entire family from his wife, to his kids, and his grandkids.
We are excited to induct “The Man in Black” into the Worthington Hall of Fame on his memorial race during the Dirt Crown. We can think of no better way of honoring Jim, than by doing it with what he loved and who he loved. A big thank you goes out to the entire Larson Family for their support of the track and the continued legacy of Jim.
He is the Flying Farmer from Brewster, MN, it is Ron Luitjens. Ron started off his career and love of racing in 1974 at the Worthington Speedway. It was at a race at the Worthington Speedway where Ron competed in a Mechanics race in which he won. From then on, the 00 driver was hooked.
Ron raced a late model before getting started in a modified. During his many years at the track, Ron was able to rack up an impressive resume. Not only did he have 20 track championships, but 227 feature wins!
As Ron looks back at his racing career, just one of the many highlights was winning the Knoxville IMCA race nationals. Ron cherishes all the good friends that he has made over the course of his racing career. He is extremely thankful for his family, as well as the Anderson Family who helped with his successful dirt track career.
It is an honor of the Worthington Speedway to be able to induct Ron Luitjens, the flying farmer from Brewster MN, into the Worthington Speedway Hall of Fame. We are excited to honor Ron, by taking him back to the place where it all started. Thank you to Ron Luitjens as well as his family for helping us recognize an exceptional dirt track career!
Submitted By: Taylor Ossefoort
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