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Pete Van Iderstine, the race team owner who gave big-block modified legend Brett Hearn his first big break and later fielded Dirt Late Models in California, died Friday. The Santa Ynez, Calif., resident was 89.

The New Jersey native operated Van Iderstine Speed Centers and was a life-long hot-rodder and aficionado of 1932 Fords.

Hearn, who reported Van Iderstine’s passing, said he “lost a great friend” in a Saturday Facebook post. Pete Van Iderstine gave me my first real job and then my first opportunity to drive for a car owner outside of my family. I have often given him the credit for helping me make a career at the sport we both loved.

“Even though he moved to California when I was only nineteen we never lost our connection. He was instrumental in helping me form my own team in my late teens. Our conversations were always long even if they weren’t often enough. He was truly one of a kind.”

Van Iderstine competed in the Late Model division into his 60s before climbing out to field cars for Golden State drivers including Chet Buckley, Clay Daly and Cody Laney with his No. 32B car often carrying a light atop the roof so Van Iderstine could track it as a spectator.

"My eyes aren't the best and I can see it a little better,” Van Iderstine once said with a gleam in his eye one night while watching Daly, his most successful driver. "I kid people. I say the light goes out when he steps all the way down on the gas.”

Arrangements and complete survivors weren’t immediately available.