Imagine getting the chance to meet your idol.

For Dauphin’s Marty Isfeld, that chance became a reality when he traveled to Edmonton to participate in the Street Outlaws No Prep Kings (NPK) All Stars vs Canada drag races in July.

In April, just on a whim, Dawn Isfeld sent an email with a picture of husband Marty’s car to the producers of NPK, not thinking they would respond.

“It was just an idea. I didn’t think anything would come of it. And then they invited us to come,” she said.

Isfeld, owner of the Speed Shop in Dauphin, has been drag racing for about 10 years. He and Dawn have been involved with cars their whole lives and eventually got into drag racing, which Dawn said, helps to promote their shop.

Because there are no drag races in the area, the Isfelds usually go to Gimli, as well as Neepawa a couple of times a year, and Saskatoon, which has a large venue.

Two weeks before the event, the producers responded to Dawn’s email with an invitation to the RAD Torque Raceway in Edmonton, to take part in the Street Outlaws NPK All Stars vs Canada drag races, July 19.

Because of the short notice, they had to get ready for the trip in a hurry, which was not as easy as it sounds.

“The engine was still out of the car. We were freshening the engine, so the engine was still out. We had to put the engine back together and get the car running,” Marty said.

They also had to get a crew together as only three people plus the driver were allowed.

Isfeld’s car is a Chevy Nova, the same as the car raced by Isfeld’s idol Shawn Ellington, better known as Murder Nova.

“He’s the OG. He’s the legend,” Dawn said.

Read the full story in this week’s Dauphin Herald.