Meet The Team
The Race Shop staff is made up of experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. They are always willing to go the extra mile to help customers, and they are committed to making the car buying process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Cory
Owner
Cory Dunn? Yeah, he's been obsessed with cars since he was a little kid. As the song says, he "got his first truck when he was 3, drove 100,000 miles on his knees." By the time he was done with high school, he'd burned through like, twenty-something cars. Seriously.
As he like to say “He married up” immediately after high school to Amy, and they have been together for twenty years. They have twin teenagers, a boy and a girl, and a young daughter…to keep things interesting.
Cory has started and sold several successful businesses. He also operates a farm, where he raises longhorns, some with horn spans exceeding 90 inches.
He strives to live his faith daily and acknowledges his need to dedicate more time to reading. He is committed to empowering others by providing them with the tools they need to succeed.
Cory's "One Day" Car is: a 1969 Carousel Red GTO with saddlebrown interior, featuring hideaway headlights, a built T56 Magnum transmission, an LT4 engine, a 9-inch rear end, mini-tubs, RideTech suspension, Vintage Air(so his ice cream doesn't melt), and billet wheels.
Rusell Hansen
Owner
Russell Hansen, our CEO (Chief Everything Officer, it seems!), has been married for a remarkable 225 years (give or take a century or two) and is a proud father of two high school boys. After a 16-year stint living six hours away, he's finally back home and ready to pursue his lifelong passion. Russell's been building and working on cars and trucks since he can remember, a skill born out of necessity – he learned to wrench on his own vehicles because, as he puts it, he "never had any money to pay anyone to do it for me." Turns out, he got pretty good at it. Fast forward to the present, and he's turned that lifelong love into his daily workplace, surrounded by "the best crew we could dream up with a ton of amazing talent."
At TheRaceShop, Russell wears many hats (and likely gets grease under all of them). As CEO, he tackles whatever needs doing at the moment, from building classic cars and keeping projects on track to ensuring the shop runs smoothly by managing parts and tools for upcoming builds. He also keeps the in-house trucks and cars ready for race day and even dabbles in part-time media work.
Russell's "One Day" car is: a white 1967 Chevy II Nova. But not just any Nova. This one's packing a procharged big-block Chevy running on E85, a T56 Magnum transmission, and a Ford 9" rear end. It needs to be "fast enough to back itself out of a corner but still able to go get ice cream." A perfect blend of power and practicality!
Tater
Director of Sales
My name is Donnie, AKA Tater. I'm pretty sure I was born with the need for speed. I would jump my big wheel over any ramp I could find. I remember riding with my grandpa in a '56 Ford station wagon; he would let me steer it going down the highway. I would always put my foot on the gas pedal, and he would say, "Get it, Taterhead!" I loved it. I mowed my neighbor's yard all summer for a 1955 Chevy Bel Air four-door when I was 14. It only had reverse. I put many a mile on it going backward around the block. Basically, from then on, I was hell on wheels. I've raced motocross, street raced, and dirt circle track for many years, and did a little drag racing on a drag strip. I started wheeling and dealing at a young age. I soon found that fast cars, fast women, and a little drinking were my reasons for working. Married young, divorced young, I have one son, and I'm so proud of him. He is a "Mopar or no car" guy. I taught him how to wheel and deal at a young age and hope that somewhere along the way, he got some street smarts from me. I have a gift of gab, or some say I'm a bullshitter. I've always excelled at my jobs and owned a few businesses along the way. I live for the next deal to come my way—the hunt, the chase, and the kill—then move on to the next deal. Hot rods are a big part of my life. I'm old school; I like '30s to late '70s cars and trucks. I think of myself as a pretty nice guy, even though I can't seem to find a woman to put up with me, it seems. I've been blessed in my life in many ways, from my son, my family, open-heart surgery, and good friends. So I do my best to pay it forward every chance I get. My friends and family know that I would be there to help them in any situation.
Taters "ONE DAY" car is: A 1966 Pontiac GTO, 389 motor, four-speed transmission, dark blue with a white top and white interior, rolling on old-school Cragars. That's the one that got away, and the one I'll be chasing until I either catch it or run out of gas, whichever comes first.
Courtney
Media and Marketing Director
As media and marketing director at TheRaceShop.com, Courntey is on a mission to prove that even someone whose previous car knowledge peaked at "knowing where to put the fuel" can fall head-over-heels for classic cars. With over 15 years of creative experience in media production, graphic design, and professional photography, she's now enthusiastically embracing the world of vintage automobiles. This passion extends to all things vintage, from classic cars to the treasures she unearths at flea markets and thrift stores. She's still learning the lingo (and occasionally mistakes a fender for a carburetor), but her enthusiasm is contagious. Courtney is thrilled to be part of a team dedicated to bringing the thrill of vintage automobiles to life, even to those of us who are still figuring out which end of the spark plug goes where. Join her on this (sometimes hilariously educational) ride through engaging podcasts, dynamic videos, and unique merchandise offerings like the vintage drag strip t-shirt subscription – because who doesn't want to wear a piece of racing history? A proud mom of two, she also shares her home with Biggie Pawls, her hilarious cat who really dreams of ruling the world and eating like humans do.
Courtney's "One Day" car is: a beautifully original 1989 golden Jeep Grand Wagoneer with peanut butter leather seats, riding on its original wheels and whitewall tires, but with a discreetly updated stereo system so she can enjoy her podcasts and audiobooks on the go.
Jamie
Lead Fabricator
Jamie, our Lead Fabricator, isn't just passionate about speed and adventure – he lives it! He's been immersed in the world of car building since he was 15, with a particular soft spot for the classic hot rod styling of the '40s, '50s, and '60s (pre-1970, to be exact). His high school years were spent honing his skills in auto mechanics, auto body repair, welding, and advanced welding – all in pursuit of his passion. For Jamie, the heart of any build lies in the fabrication: crafting chassis, building custom parts, and bringing his vision to life. Vintage drag racing is in his blood, though he enjoys all forms of drag racing.
Beyond the garage, Jamie is a certified scuba diver and a certified skydiver – proving his thirst for adventure extends far beyond four wheels. And when it comes to dream cars? He's already living the dream! He owns a 1941 Willys coupe (his current pride and joy) and a 1937 Fiat Topolino altered. His ultimate wish? A steel-bodied 1941 Willys to replace his fiberglass replica.
At TheRaceShop, Jamie's role is multifaceted. He's the go-to guy for building and repairing cars, handling the majority of the fabrication work, coordinating builds and repairs, and ensuring everything stays on schedule. And, as he jokingly adds, he's always ready to tackle anything Cory throws his way!
Jamie's "One Day" car is: a 1950 Mercury with a radical chop top and big skirts.
Hunter
Welder and Technician
At TheRaceShop.com, Hunter is both a welder and technician and is trained to work on metal and machinery. You will usually find him in the shop with his dad Jamie, or looking on his phone for the next set of wheels to deal.
Hot rods are practically encoded in his DNA; he's been around them since he was a little tyke, raised in his dad's shop, absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of high-octane horsepower. In our area some guys have a passion for farming; Hunter's is for anything with an engine, a set of wheels.
His passion for cars started at a very early—the age of five, to be exact, when he first twisted the throttle on a motorcycle and discovered the open road (or, you know, maybe just the backyard). By thirteen, he was already drag racing a Suzuki 750. His first car, acquired at the age of sixteen, was, naturally, modified. Because who needs a sensible, fuel-efficient vehicle when you can have something loud, fast, and guaranteed to turn heads? He further honed his already impressive skills by studying auto body, machining, and welding in school and continues to further his education every day. Before joining his Dad's hot rod business four years ago, he spent six years as a dock welder (so, yes, he can probably fix your boat, too.) Hunter is married to Kelsie, and together they have 3 children—who, he's pretty sure, are currently conspiring to take over the world, one tantrum at a time. Sleep? What's sleep
Hunter's "One Day" car is: (when he regains control of his life, maybe gets a full night's sleep, and possibly wins the lottery) is a 1971-73 Chevy Vega with a full tube chassis, twin-turbo LS, and Powerglide transmission. Because sometimes, you just need to go fast.
DJ
AKA "Big Money"
If it runs on gasoline, DJ’s into it—except for a weedeater, of course. He grew up in a family of gearheads, learning the ropes from his dad, “Daddy Dave,” in a shop packed with hot rods and muscle cars. Wrenching on engines and chasing horsepower wasn’t just a hobby; it was a way of life. By the time he could drive, he already knew his way around an engine bay better than most, and his passion for high-performance machines only grew from there.
If it runs on gasoline, DJ’s into it—except for a weedeater, of course. He grew up in a family of gearheads, learning the ropes from his dad, “Daddy Dave,” in a shop packed with hot rods and muscle cars. Wrenching on engines and chasing horsepower wasn’t just a hobby; it was a way of life. By the time he could drive, he already knew his way around an engine bay better than most, and his passion for high-performance machines only grew from there.
Beyond the track, DJ is a successful business owner, bringing the same drive and determination to his work as he does to racing. At TheRaceShop.com, he takes on a dual role: part mentor, part bad influence. Need solid advice on building horsepower? He’s got you. Need a little extra encouragement to go full send on a risky build? He’s definitely got you. With a lifetime of experience, a quick wit, and an eye for performance, DJ keeps things fun while making sure no one gets too comfortable playing it safe.
He strives to live his faith daily and acknowledges his need to dedicate more time to reading. He is committed to empowering others by providing them with the tools they need to succeed.
DJ’s “one day” car: A 1966 Chevy short bed, solid black with a chrome front bumper and grille. Full black leather interior with just the right mix of classic style and modern muscle. Under the hood? A lit 4 F1A ProCharger and TS6 Magnum, ready to lay down serious power. Sitting on air ride, it would cruise smooth to dinner but still have the muscle to light up the pavement at a moment’s notice. A street truck built to turn heads—and leave everyone else in the dust.