Tallahassee family dedicates soap box car to servicemembers Published March 30, 2011 By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- After visiting Tyndall in 2009 for an air show, a local eight-year-old had an everlasting impression of the aerial demonstrations and static displays that eventually gave way to dedicating his own prized possession to the experience he had that day. "I liked the F-22 Raptor and the F-18 Hornets and the F-15 Eagle," said Hunter Chentnik. "I remember the F-15 and the F-22 had their landing gear out to make them go slower and the F-18 did tricks. I got my dog tags there and I got an F-22 toy there." That wasn't all he remembered. "The F-22 has things on the back that the fire comes out of that are different than all the other planes I've seen," Hunter said. "I remember those guys that parachuted. The back of the tail of the F-15 Eagle had Mr. Bones on it. I saw my first helicopter there; it was a UH-60 Black Hawk. I saw a humvee and I remember the military bus I rode in." In 2010, Hunter developed an interest in soap box derby races when a family from his Cub Scout troop, who are second and third generation racers, brought cars to display at a local derby. "Hunter wanted to try racing so we checked out an old club car from the local derby director, kind of like borrowing a library book," said Greg Chentnik, Hunter's father. "We disassembled it, updated it, practiced, and attended our first weekend of races in Tallahassee in February 2010." From then on, racing has been a huge part of the Chentnik family. "We have been racing as a family every chance we get since that first weekend," said Greg. "Hunter's sister, Holly, races and drives every chance she gets too, and is eagerly awaiting her eighth birthday when she can race in all of the races we attend, not just some of them." Hunter has done extremely well racing. "Hunter's first win was during the big Tallahassee Local in June 2010," Greg said. "This win sent us to Akron, Ohio to represent Tallahassee in the world finals where Hunter went two rounds. That is an accomplishment in and of itself at that level of competition." During their trip home from Ohio, they began discussing building Hunter his own super stock car. Hunter wanted an F-22 Raptor car, and the family decided to dedicate it to Tyndall. The car was complete in March 2011. "We had our first race in the Tyndall F-22 Raptor car that same month," said Greg. "Everyone loved it and many wanted to know the story behind the dedication." Hunter will continue racing in the Tyndall car and enjoys more and more about racing every day. "I like going down the hill, having fun with other kids, supporting and helping others, getting more points to go down more hills, telling friends about it and making new racers," said Hunter. But, perhaps most appreciative of the sport is Greg, who said he has seen great changes in his son. "They say the kid builds the car and the car builds the kid and they are right," said Greg. "I have watched my son set a goal (going to Akron), work to achieve it (concentrate on improving his driving and focus), succeed (win the local his first 1st place finish), take it to the next level (plan a strategy at a new race course at Akron going two rounds), accept defeat with grace (losing a race so close that they had to look at the photos before announcing the winner), and intensifying his resolve to be the best he can be." He said he has seen him help new racers with their driving even though he will compete against them. "He has come with me to other Cub Scout packs to tell them about derby racing and share our experiences," said Greg. "I am watching him grow into someone I am proud of." But, from his experience at the air show to building his own soap box, Greg's son wanted to give one important message to the memebers of Team Tyndall. "Thank you for keeping our country safe," he said.