Meet the Only Person To Race in All 50 U.S. States, a Dad From Wisconsin
· Yahoo Sports
For most motorsports enthusiasts, success is measured in pole positions, podiums, victories, championships, and lap times. These are the milestones that define a racing legacy. For Wisconsin-based racer Jasper Drengler, however, the ultimate goal was something entirely different: competing in all 50 U.S. states.
Naturally, achieving that feat was far from straightforward. In an interview with VINwiki, Drengler explained the challenges of finding competitive racing opportunities across the country, from established circuits to locations where securing a suitable race car and track proved a major obstacle.
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The challenge was finally completed in 2023, with West Virginia becoming the last state he checked off the list.
His achievement was the culmination of years of travel, significant spending on racing, and overcoming setbacks, with plenty of unexpected yet memorable adventures along the way.
What Counted as a Race?
Completing the challenge required more than simply getting behind the wheel in every state. Drengler established criteria for what constituted a legitimate racing event, ensuring the achievement involved genuine competition rather than casual driving experiences.
As he explained in the interview, go-kart events only counted if they were competitive and required drivers to wear helmets.
The distinction became particularly important when finding suitable venues proved difficult. In Rhode Island, for example, the lack of an available racetrack forced him to explore alternatives, highlighting just how challenging the 50-state challenge was for him.
Memorable Moments in Hawaii and Alaska
Two of the most memorable stops came in Alaska and Hawaii, where simply getting a racecar proved to be an adventure in itself.
In Alaska, Drengler contacted local racers to rent a car rather than tow his own vehicle across the country. Eventually, he found someone willing to help, despite warnings that the car was slow. Against expectations, he delivered a strong performance and even brought home a trophy.
Hawaii presented an entirely different challenge. Initial attempts to arrange a rental were met with skepticism, as some people apparently suspected the unusual request was a scam.
Eventually, a track promoter helped him find a car for sale for just $700. Photographs suggested a competitive Volkswagen with a roll cage, but the reality was considerably less appealing when he arrived on Maui.
The car was battered and in desperate need of work. With little time to spare, he used a local Walmart parking lot as an improvised race shop, hammering out dents and repairing wiring to keep the vehicle running.
Despite its condition, the car performed better than expected. The only problem was that he had no practical way to take it home. After failing to find a buyer, he left it with the track promoter and headed for the airport.
Two weeks later, the promoter sent him a check worth more than he had originally paid for the car, providing an unexpectedly positive ending to one of the most unusual chapters of the entire challenge.
The Stories Matter Most
Despite the financial costs and mechanical headaches, he says he has no regrets about dedicating so much of his life to motorsports.
He estimates that his racing and related business ventures cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars, acknowledging that the money could have funded an entirely different lifestyle. Yet he believes the experiences, friendships, and stories have been worth the sacrifice.
Ultimately, completing the challenge of racing in all 50 states was about far more than adding another achievement to a record book. It was an opportunity to explore the country, experience different racing communities, and build memories that no championship trophy could replace.
Motorsports will always be an expensive passion, but one that continues to deliver something money alone cannot buy: a lifetime of stories and a community that feels like family.
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