TRIBUTE

By Nate Van Wagnen

VanBeek grew up in Fernandina Beach , Florida , where he dreamt of moving to North Carolina to pursue his racing goals . After earning his HVAC certification , he moved to North Carolina , where he eventually launched the Carolina Xtreme Pro Mod ( CXPM ) series with the support of friends like Pro Mod racer Tony Wilson and the Wilson family . The two founded the series in 2016 after promoting a Quick 8 Top Sportsman race together at Farmington Dragway ’ s IHRA Pro-Am the year before .

“ We became very close early on ,” Wilson said . “ He ’ s like a brother to me . We just had the same goals in mind , and I think we achieved it , and it was his fault . He ’ s the one that put the basis down for what he thought needed to happen , and me and him worked together to make it happen . That dude put everything and everyone in front

of himself , and I want everyone to realize that and remember him .”

After a strong start in 2016 and 2017 , the CXPM series took off the 2018 season due to VanBeek and Wilson ’ s work commitments . They quickly realized that left a void in the local Pro Mod racing scene , so they fired it back up in 2019 with strong car counts , supportive sponsors , and a family-focused environment . Increasing work responsibilities , the COVID-era climate , and a changing Pro Mod scene led the duo to pull the plug after the 2020 season . They allowed the Miller family and Darlington Dragway to use the CXPM name for Darlington ’ s in-house Pro Mod program in 2021 .

“ Like I said , Nathan was like a brother to me , and he was a part of our family ,” Wilson said . “ Neither me or him was doing it for the money .

Again , we wanted to see everyone have a place to race . Some people didn ’ t fit in NHRA , some people didn ’ t fit in PDRA , and Nathan wanted to make sure that people had a place to race .”

It was gratifying for VanBeek to see childhood idols and Pro Mod legends like Rickie Smith , Charles Carpenter , and Tommy Mauney compete in CXPM races . His events provided a place to race for Carolinas ’ many fast doorslammer racers , but they also attracted racers from outside the Carolinas . Thirty Pro Mod drivers raced with the series during the 2017 season .

“ I had the honor of racing at one of Nathan VanBeek ’ s first promoted races with great friends Ronnie Davis and Bruce Thrift ,” Chuck Mohn said . “ Nathan was a very special young man and will be greatly missed by many . My prayers go

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTIN STANLEY AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF NATHAN VANBEEK