The Weyant family has competed in racing since the 1920s. Nearly a hundred years later, Jarrett Weyant (left), 12, debuted in the 305 winged sprint car class. He represents the fifth generation to race open-wheeled cars for the Springfield, Illinois, family that’s deeply entrenched in the sport. Jarrett has the support of his predecessors, including his father, Korey (second from left); grandfather Scott (second from right); and great-grandfather Gene (right).
First Generation for the Weyant Family
Rube Weyant (1900–1963) was the first among the Weyant family to race. He competed in midgets from the mid-1920s to the early 1950s. Rube survived racing at the notoriously dangerous Jungle Park Speedway in Bloomingdale, Indiana. The venue did, however, turn out a few Indy 500 winners.
“My great grandpa Rube is in midget folklore,” Korey Weyant, Jarrett’s father, said. “He built a race car in his basement and could not get it out. He had to make a large hole in the wall to go racing with the car he built.”
Second Generation
Three of Rube’s children have played a role in the sport.
His son, Chuck Weyant (1923–2017), made four Indy 500 starts (1955, ’57–’59) and also is an inductee in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Rube’s daughter, Lillian Kunz (1929–2007), gave birth to three noted members of the midget community — Rusty Kunz, Chuck Kunz, and Keith Kunz.
His other son, Gene Weyant is now 93. He’s Korey’s grandfather and Jarrett’s great-grandfather.
Gene raced midgets through the Midwest. He won championships at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Illinois, and with the St. Louis Auto Racing Association.
Third Generation
Gene’s son, Scott, 59, followed in the family tradition after Gene helped build him a midget in 1979. He won the St. Louis Auto Racing Association championships in 1988 and 1989.
“I quit in 2002 when Korey was coming up as the fourth-generation to drive midgets and sprint cars,” Scott said. “I didn’t even think about if there was going to be a fifth-generation driver at that time. It was exciting that my son was the fourth generation.”
Fourth Generation
Korey started racing 250 and 600 sprints as a young teen. When he turned 15, he drove a micro, a midget, and a 360 sprint car all in one season.
“I concentrated on sprint cars,” Korey, 37, said. “I’d jump in any ride that was available. Dad owns the cars I drive now.”
Over the years, Korey has racked up several track and series sprint car championships. He works with his father as mechanics for a school bus company. Korey and his wife, Chyna, have four sons and one daughter — Gabby, Jarrett, Ethan, Kyzer, and Ashton.
“We take all the boys and their older sister with us to the races whenever we can,” Korey said. “Ethan is racing in cage karts, too. It’s important to have my wife, my dad, and my grandpa with us.”
Fifth Generation for the Weyant Family
When Jarrett Weyant told his father, Korey, that he wanted to race sprint cars, too, Korey knew he would accomplish a special feat.
“I know of no families with five generations of drivers,” Korey said. “There are several four-generation families, including the Andrettis. What we have is a rarity.”
Jarrett went from .25 midgets to karts. This season he intends to race 305 winged sprint cars at Jacksonville and Lincoln speedways in Illinois.
“In his first night of racing two weeks ago [April 22], he made one mistake,” said Korey. “He was throwing a slide job and got too loose, killing the engine. The car had to be restarted, and when he came into the pits, he was pretty mad at himself. He started tenth in the feature that night and finished sixth.”
Korey enjoys spending his time with Jarrett as he did with his father. Jarrett continues the Weyant family tradition.
“I’m proud — I’m seeing him go out and do what I do,” Korey said. “As a dad, that feeling is awesome. I told him he can take over the 410 if he can get as fast as I am. I’m sure I will be out of a ride soon.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
