Former South Dakota standout dies at 73
Former South Dakota standout Dirt Late Model racer Ron Droog, a winner of many special events and titles over a career of more than 20 years, died June 23. The Aberdeen, S.D., driver of the X-labeled car known as Mr. X-citement was 73. | Slideshow
Droog (pictured in his final season) had a best single season of 26 victories, was the 1987 Stock Car Stampede winner at Jamestown (N.D.) Speedway and in 1985 captured the $10,000 Triple Crown among home-state tracks in Aberdeen, Huron and Miller. Competing between 1975 and 1997, Droog is the fourth all-time winningest driver at Dakota State Fair Speedway and finished as high as fourth in overall WISSOTA points with a championship at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, S.D., among his track titles.
An Army veteran, Droog had a 40-year career as a salesman at Lust Chevrolet, which often sponsored his Late Model.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Deb (Bardell) Droog, two daughters and six grandchildren. Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Aberdeen with a prayer service at 7; the funeral is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church followed by burial at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery.
