From street racing in western Nebraska to competing on national stages, Wade Kiefer of Kimball has a story fueled by passion, perseverance, and a tight-knit racing community.
MARK KESZLER
Nspire Today! Feature Writer
KIMBALL – From the open plains of western Nebraska to drag strips across the nation, Wade Kiefer has built a career in a sport that demands precision, grit, and an unrelenting passion for speed. As a drag racer competing at the national level, Wade’s story is one of humble beginnings, hard-fought victories, and the family bonds that fuel his drive.
A Passion Ignited
Wade’s love for motorsports began during his formative years. Growing up, he was surrounded by the hum of engines and the clinking of tools as his cousins restored old Chevy cars and built 4×4 pickups.
“I was around them all the time,” Wade recalls.
This exposure planted the seeds for a lifelong fascination with cars. By high school, Wade and his friend Mike Norberg were transforming vehicles into racing machines. Wade’s first taste of speed came with a 1976 Corvette, while Mike piloted a 1968 GTO. The pair would race on a deserted missile base road south of Kimball, carefully avoiding the authorities with lookouts stationed along the way.
The thrill of those early street races naturally evolved into something more structured.
You can read the entire story in the February 2025 issue of Nspire Today! magazine. A one-year subscription (12 issues) is only $20. You may sign up for a subscription by sending $20 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363, or you may pay with a credit card by calling 308-220-8907.
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