BACK ON TRACK: Community Lends A Hand

Fort Dodge resident Quennel McCaleb is a regular at his son Maliq’s dirt bike races.

“I haven’t missed more than three races in his four year career,” said McCaleb.  

Today’s race at Fun Valley in Montezuma had a little extra meaning.

It was the first race he has attended since the family RV used for race weekends was ruined by racist graffiti.

“This was a three day race and I refused to miss three days of my son racing. I found a way to get here and surprise him,” McCaleb told Channel 13 News.

Keeping Maliq on the track has been a team effort between the McCaleb’s and the Fort Dodge community.

Fellow racers have brought the 9 year old speedster to events the past two weekends.

“He’s been coming with us, racing with us. He hasn’t missed a beat,” said Fort Dodge resident, Aaron Steburg.

While the community has donated money through a Facebook group called “Fort Dodge Pulling Together.”

So far, $850 has been raised to help the McCaleb’s buy a used RV.

“It means a lot for people to reach out in the community, shake my hand, and let me know how they feel about whoever did this. Just the support of everyone has been tremendous.”

On this day, Maliq finished second on the track.

To his father Quennel, his family remains his number one priority.