Veteran of the Night

In partnership with the Freedom Foundation, Hawkeye Downs is honored to recognize our local heroes and share an evening at the races with our nation’s veterans.

Additionally, Hawkeye Downs Speedway staff would like to invite veterans in our community to a night at the track with discounted admission. Admission for active duty military and veterans is just $9 for weekly racing events. More information on weekly racing admission can be found here. Tickets are available at the gate.

About The Freedom Foundation

The Freedom Foundation in Cedar Rapids brings veterans and civilians together to make a difference in the lives of those who have served with a "Veterans Helping Veterans" approach to navigating the challenges of everyday life after serving our country. The Freedom Foundation provides numerous programs and services to Veterans. These programs and services include a Pantry, recreational activities, the operation of the "Veterans Temporary Housing/Shelter Program" for homeless and displaced Veterans, a Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, and our hosting of a free weekly Thursday luncheon, serving our Veterans a well-deserved "home cooked meal."

More information about the Freedom Foundation their programs can be found on their website and Facebook page.

Meet Our 2023 Veterans

Brian Eschen

Brian Eschen proudly served in both the United States Navy from 1985 to 1989 and Iowa Army National Guard from 1989 to 1990. He worked as an Electrician's Mate 3rd Class on the USS Tarawa LHA-1. He was deployed to the Western Pacific. He lives his life as a retired Veteran with his wife, Dede, and their two daughters, Abby and Bri. Brian spends his time volunteering at the Freedom Foundation as their President, in his church, and in the community through his disc golfing group.

Mike Mitchell

Mike Mitchell is a resident of Cedar Rapids and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Mike served as a Staff Sargent between 1982 and 1990. Shortly after his time in the military, Mike began his racing career at Hawkeye Downs. Over the years, he has raced Sportsman, Sport Mods, and Hobby Stocks. Currently, Mike serves as pit crew for his son, Reggie, in the #25 hobby stock. If you don't see Mike, his wife, Jody, and their sons and daughters at the track, you may find them at a local bowling alley.

Don Stephens

Don Stephens is originally from El Paso, IL and currently resides in Marion. He joined the United States Air Force in 1974 and served as an Airman First Class. After retiring in 1977, he rounded out the decade racing in IL. He paused his racing career between the 1980s and 2022. Last season, Don's stepson, Chad Vozenilek, brought him to Hawkeye Downs as a Hornet racer. We're thrilled to have him racing with us again in 2023! When Don isn't at the track with his wife and step-children, you will likely find Don fishing, golfing, or traveling across the United States and Mexico.

John “Odie” Oates

Colonel John “Odie” Oates retired from the United States Air Force in July 2015 after over 29 years of Active-Duty service. He is a 1986 graduate from the US Air Force Academy where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences, and a 1996 Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Graduate with a master’s degree in business administration.

Odie is a Command Pilot with over 3,800 flying hours in the T-38, KC-135, UV-18, and C-17 aircraft and a Master Parachutist with over 1,600 parachute jumps. He has combat experience in Operation ALLIED FORCE, Operation NOBLE ANVIL, Operation NORTHERN WATCH, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Operation NEW DAWN.

Odie is married to his wife Marcy, and they had their wedding reception at Hawkeye Downs almost 36 years ago. They have four kids; three are married, the last is engaged, and one has a grandson. He is currently working at Collins Aerospace and is a member of the Freedom Foundation Board of Directors.

Rob Klein

Sergeant First Class Retired Robert Klein enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 and served 12 years as a generator mechanic at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He deployed three times in support of combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. SFC Klein departed Active Component and became an Active Guard Reserve in 2013 for the 2nd Brigade 34th Infantry Division BSTB, the 224th BEB, and the 334th BSB. SFC Klein retired from HQ Company 334th BSB as the Battalion Assistant Operations NCO in July 2021. His favorite and most rewarding position in his career was mentoring and assisting his soldiers as the Unit Readiness NCO of Bravo Company 334 BSB.

Since his retirement, Klein has been cherishing the extra time he now has with his family and wouldn’t be where he is now without the love and support of his wife Laurie, his son Mason, and his Daughter Gabrielle. He went back to work at Quaker Oats before resigning and setting out to establish his own small shop in Marion called “The Marion Merchant,” where he and his wife offer handmade, locally sourced custom woodwork, gifts, décor, and more. He continues to serve his brothers and sisters by proudly sitting as a board member of Freedom Foundation, attending his local Masonic lodge and is a member of the American Legion.

Jim Neal

Jim Neal is a Vietnam Veteran. He served from 1967-1971 in the United States Navy. After his retirement, he took on various civilian jobs before joining the Army National Guard. He was in the Army National Guard from 1980-1988. In his free time, Jim is active with the the Freedom Foundation. He has spent the last nine years serving our community as a veteran helping veterans.

Ed Siems

Ed Siems served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1972. Ed joined the Marines as his father served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, his uncle served in the Army, and his older brother served in the Marines. Ed studied electronics at a naval air station in Tennessee, then found himself rebuilding electronic components in airplanes. Ed worked for the majority of his time in the Marines at Cherry Point where he trained others on the electronic components. He enjoyed being a part of the rifle team at Cherry Point, and he still enjoys hunting to this day.

Ed currently resides in Marshalltown and makes the drive to Hawkeye Downs every Friday night to capture stellar photographs of the cars and the crowds. Many memories have been made at the track with his family, including his sons, Chad, Scott, and JJ, and his brother, Stan. When Ed is not at the track, he spends time managing his beautiful property in Marshall County growing flowers, landscaping from sun up to sun down, and enjoying the peace and quiet of nature.

John Ness

John Ness is a veteran of the United States Air Force. John worked as a Jet Engine Mechanic in the Vietnam Era from 1973-1976. John has been racing at Hawkeye Downs since it was a dirt track. John has raced in multiple classes, including Thunder Stock, Hobby Stock, and Super Stock. He was crowned track champion in 1998. His son, Todd Ness, is a 2022 track champion at Hawkeye Downs. He is proud to have three generations in his family racing!

Joshua Cassill

Joshua Cassill joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 years old. He attended MCRD San Diego for boot camp, then was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina until 2016 as a generator mechanic. From 2016 to 2019, Joshua served in the United States Army as a wheeled vehicle mechanic at Fort Carson. Racing has always been a big part of Joshua's life. He says the last two seasons have been the best in his career because he is racing with a purpose. His racecar carries the names of fallen service members. Every day in the United States, 22 veterans succumb to suicide - losing their personal battle to the invisible wounds of war. Joshua is passionate about supporting other veterans and their mental health.

Richard “Sam” Swenson

Richard “Sam” Swenson served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1966. Sam was stationed in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966 as an artillery surveyor and forward observer. He earned the rank of Spec5 before he was discharged in 1966. Sam is now retired and spends a lot of his time woodworking in his garage as well as traveling to take photos across the states. He is a proud father, uncle, and grandfather. He has two daughters that live in the Cedar Rapids area and a son that lives in Evergreen, CO. He has nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He has been a fan of racing at Hawkeye Downs since the 1970s. You’ll find him in the grandstands in his “regular spot” every Friday night.

Nicole Hotz

Nicole Rae Hotz served as a Sergeant in the Army Reserve between 2012 and 2020. She served 11 months in Kuwait from 2016 to 2017. Since 2013, Nicole has worked full-time as an Investigator for the Marion Police Department. She is currently the only female in the entire state of Iowa to be a certified bomb technician. She is also a part of the FBI stabilization team for nuclear and radiological incidents throughout the Midwest.