The roar of the engines, the heat of the exhaust, the adrenaline of pitting wits and skill against 300 drivers in the IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, the driver, Mark Noble, a man with more than 600 wins under his belt and three time Super National champion.
The car, owned by Groen and Menning Builders in Algona, a hot pink.
Pink? For the famous Mark Noble?
Yes.
Because real men wear pink.
For the second year Mark Noble of Bloomington, Minn., will drive the Groen and Menning hot pink IMCA modified race car in the Super Nationals in a joint project with Larry Groen of Algona and Chris Brown to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
It's a project close to the heart of both Groen and Brown. Chris lost his 30 year old wife to breast cancer. In 2001 Groen was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma after a lump was found on his tonsil. Surgery was arranged to remove his tonsils.
"They didn't think it was anything until they took the tonsils out. They told my wife while I was in recovery that it was cancer," said Groen.
Lumps were found in two other spots and Groen went through chemotherapy and radiation at Mercy in Mason City.
Last year, just selling T-shirts featuring Mark Noble in the pink raised almost $24,000.
This year the team is aiming higher.
With assistance from several racing support businesses the No. 74 will once again be a hot pink, but Sput's Race Engines of Owatonna, Minn., will be making a hot pink engine especially for the Super Nationals in September.
"That is the biggest stage for us to premiere pink car No. 2," said Groen. "Mark has won three Super Nationals and has taken second three times. We figure he will take this car and race up front, which will bring attention to cancer."
After the race the engine will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with the check to be made out to the American Cancer Society.
"We want to put the best possible car on the track and in turn give the money to breast cancer," Groen.
For Groen, it's not just about breast cancer.
"Cancer is cancer. Everyone is affected by cancer, either by a friend, family member or co-worker," said Groen.
Groen and the team are looking for sponsors to help with outfitting the car, which will include a prayer riveted into the dash, something Nobel does with every car he drives, asking for his safety and the safety of those he's competing against.
The body of the racecar will be the same one that is raced weekly in Algona by 17-year-old Austin Wolf, who with his first modified feature win on Saturday, June 20, became the youngest modified feature winner at Algona Raceway.
"In the second week of the racing season we were the only modified car whose driver had to take off for prom," said Groen. "Austin's excitement is overwhelming and we're glad to have two great drivers, the teacher and the student."
For more information about the pink car, or to donate money or supplies, contact Groen at 515-341-1792, or mail Larry Groen Breast Cancer Car, 213 N. Lantry St., Algona IA 50511.