Engines roared on Saturday at Grundy County Speedway in Morris, as police officers from across the state raced stock cars painted like patrol cruisers in the annual Five-O Racing fundraiser.
The August 2 event was part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and benefited Special Olympics Illinois and the Hometown Police Department was proud to not only take part in the event once again for the fourth consecutive year, but for the first time ever, come in first place overall.
“I have such an immense sense of pride, coming from such a small agency and seeing our community, family and friends all come together to donate to the Special Olympics,” Hometown Police Chief, Louis Dominguez, said.
The Special Olympics aims to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competition, fostering physical fitness, courage, joy and a sense of belonging. It is a global movement dedicated to ending discrimination and promoting inclusion, ensuring people with intellectual disabilities are accepted, respected and given opportunities to become productive members of society.
Hometown Police Department Commander Nathan Haubenreiser said since 2022, the department had raised nearly $75,000 for the cause.
“Last year, we finished in third place in fundraising with $16,000,” Haubenreiser said. “Our goal for this year was $20,000, and as of race day we were at just over $14,000.”
The department was extremely close to meeting their goal with a final number of $17,285 raised.
The department raced a retired squad car against 24 other cars in a 20-lap race that Haubenreiser bought from a resident in 2022. The car was originally sold by Hometown police in 2012.
He had spent months turning it into what he called “both a safe and fast car that we always look forward to racing.”
Haubenreiser said the competition had two parts: fundraising and racing. Departments competed to raise the most money, which determined the starting grid for the race.
“The fun thing is that all of the departments work together to help each other raise money,” he said. “A lot of departments also work together to get sponsors for the race.”
Hometown police partnered with Orland Hills, Chicago and Homewood police departments and Chivell Clothing Co. on sponsorships. The company donated a portion of apparel sales to each team and contributed as a sponsor for the race.
Haubenreiser said seeing his community rally behind the event was what made it meaningful.
“The community and residents take pride in having Hometown well represented,” he said. “You may think that our small town would struggle to compete with these larger towns with more businesses and residents, but Hometown is determined to show that the community and businesses care, and it sure does show.”
