He Races To Help Out, And Not Just At Track

Helping others “really is what I do best. Bottom line, it’s helping people in trouble. That’s my claim to fame. I love it!”

So are the words of 40-year-old Don Cumbee, the No. 1 man in charge of “helping others” at Stateline Speedway.

Cumbee’s job “has me being the first on the scene of an accident. It’s up to my call who comes onto the track to lend assistance.”

As each race unfolds every Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday evening during the summer, the 265-pound, 6-foot-1 onetime bouncer at a local night spot rests on the edge of his truck seat, ignition key at the ready.

Green flag and the race is on. And as usually is the case, sometime during the race, Cumbee is called to action.

“If I spot a fire, I’m ready to put it out. If I spot a driver who’s unconscious, I’ve got the ambulance at my beck and call. If the driver is conscious, but the accident looked pretty bad, I’ll call for the ambulance anyway. Just to be safe,” he said.

“Yeah, that thing about helping others. Guess it’s just in my blood. Came out here the first time about six years back and just watched. Couple years ago, I was put in charge of on-track safety … even put on the payroll,” he said.

“And, here I am again, year after year. I truly enjoy the races; guess that goes without saying!”

The excitement of emergency situations has stirred his adrenaline for years.

“Since I was old enough to drive, I had a car, I’ve carried police scanners and emergency lights,” he said, pointing to a light bar atop his 1970 GMC four-wheel-drive flatbed. And while politely declining to reveal the exact number of red, yellow and white lights in, on and under his “rig,” Cumbee said he’d like to add a few more.

He said he’s often considered starting a traveler’s assistance program.

“I would and, I guess, still do, ride around for hours on end looking for motorists in trouble. They might need some gas, a tow, a battery jump, directions, whatever. Never asked for any money,” he said, noting, “Some people have paid me for my trouble.”

“I’m just that kind of person,” remembering with pride his recent association as a volunteer with the Post Falls Ambulance and Rescue Service.

“Man, I liked that outfit and the things its members do for others. It’s just that I don’t have time - or I’d still be with the ambulance service. I’ll get back with it; just a matter of finding the time.”

As for his position at Stateline Speedway, Cumbee said he’s satisfied with serving as safety coordinator.

In fact, he said, he’s negotiating with track owner Joe Doellefeld for an old tow truck “boom” that, at present, is rusting behind the office building.

“I could mount it on my pickup and be able to better serve the track. I could haul away the cars after an accident.

“Oh, you ask, would I like to someday drive a race car instead of helping those who do? Ha, don’t think so! Too much money!”

, DataTimes MEMO: Tom Burnett, a former newspaper reporter and editor, is a longtime Rathdrum resident. Panhandle Pieces appears every Saturday. The column is shared among several North Idaho writers.