Debbie Bergman (HALL OF FAME SPOTLIGHT - DEBBIE BERGMAN By Ray Cunningham The CARB Hall of Fame is interwoven into the fabric of American Auto Racing in the Heartland. CARB Hall of Fame inductee Debbie Bergman has been involved in racing literally almost since her birth on July 5th,1954, just one day after her dad and future CARB Hall of Famer Charlie Kraft was hurt in a racing accident at Riverside Stadium in North KC. During her formative years she was a trophy girl at Olympic Stadium presenting to fellow CARB HOF Inductee Dale Moore, and then later became a fixture at tracks across the greater KC area working “Behind The Scenes” at Lakeside Stadium, and the newer Lakeside Speedway, I-70 (old), Topeka Raceway, (AKA Shawnee Speedway East of Town), and tracks in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. While also being a integral member, historian, and officer, of the CARB HOF, and the Central Auto Racing Boosters. As well as a topflight bowler, who once rolled a “300”. And now the focus of this month’s “Spotlight” for the CARB HOF Ambassador’s. Quiet and shy, Kansas City, Kansas, native Debbie (Kraft) Bergman’s involvement “Behind The Scenes” in racing circles has become legendary. Her many years of service at Lakeside Speedway in particular as both a track worker and official are exemplary. And have also included work stints by everyone in her immediate family along her journey at both the new and old Lakeside racetracks. Over the years Bergman has also become a great fan of racing and working at the pit gate at Lakeside for many big events has had its perks for Debbie. During the last 30 plus seasons she has met racing stars that have included Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kasey Kahne. While encounters with Carl Edwards in both 2008-2009 were some of her most cherished memories working “Behind The Scenes” at Lakeside Speedway for this CARB Hall of Fame inductee. )
