A Davenport man is getting a second chance at his passion, drag racing. After other priorities in his life got in the way, he got the chance to get back on the race track last night thanks to some friends and people from the community.
The day Josh Lofquist wasn’t sure would happen, finally came.
“I’m like wow it's actually time you know things were getting a little hairy," said Lofquist.
He is getting back out on the race track Friday, August 21, 2015 for the first time in 15 years. However, to understand why this day is such a big deal, you have to go back to the beginning. Lofquist met his friend James Hughes after racing each other one night.
“I beat him and we became friends ever since," said Hughes.
Over the years they lost touch but recently reconnected. Lofquist had been working to rebuild a car, and had reached out to Hughes, and others, for some help. This project came with a very short timeline though, because Lofquist had been diagnosed with cancer.
“My cancer is so rare that it’s only been seen 16 times in the world," said Lofquist, "I’m number 16."
The car Lofquist wanted to restore needed a lot of work, so Hughes bought Lofquist a car in better shape, a 91' Mustang GT. Thanks to the help of people in the community and complete strangers they were able to get all the parts needed to get the car running.
With his car ready and his friends and family close by, it was time to head over to the Cordova Raceway.
“It feels wonderful, just out of this world," said Lofquist after the first race.
However, Lofquist says this day is about more than getting a good time.
“For everyone out there that's fighting any type of cancer, you know, live the way I do. Never give up, you know no matter how bad it drags you down and gets you feeling bad don’t let it get at you," Lofquist said.