Nothing stops this teen on the racetrack

A small, yellow car methodically moved through the middle of the pack.

Gen X rookie Chris Neal maneuvered his car to the inside track near one of the banked corners and then sped up to take the lead. When the checker flag waved as the Gen X racers were finishing their final lap, a long, loud round of applause rang out for the 19-year-old Neal.

Chris Neal is no ordinary teenager who spins his tires and revs his motor at Rattlesnake Raceway twice a month. Since birth, Neal suffers from arthrogryposis or multiple joint contractures. Translated from Greek, arthrogryposis means curved or hook joints.

"It's like polio," said Larry Neal, Chris' father. "He was born without the cells that control his muscles."

Chris Neal, though, doesn't believe he is hindered with a handicap.

"I don't consider myself crippled. I don't think about it," Chris Neal said.

The racing season began slowly for Neal, who graduated from Churchill County High School in June.

During the first month of racing, Neal's car crashed into "the wall," a five-foot high barrier of concrete blocks. He smashed his front-wheeled vehicle, and his dad, a mechanic, fixed the car.

"I hit 'the wall' the second race out," Neal said. "The right front caved in, and dad had a lot of work to do ..."

Then came June 23. Chris Neal learned something about his 1999 Mitsubishi and himself when he won his first race. His aggressiveness began to show more in the last points race. Neal was hopeful for a repeat performance three days ago.

Thirsty for another win, Neal surprised the Gen X field Wednesday night and won both the heat race and main event.

"This win was more fun, more competitive," Neal said.

When he won his first race two weeks ago, Neal took an early lead and didn't worry about losing it.

The Fourth of July was different.

"I had to go from the back to the front," he said. "I had to drive this time and work my way up (the line)."

Neal said once he took the lead, he still drove aggressively but cautiously.

"I was trying not to wreck or get a flat tire," he said.

The same confidence also pushed him to an overhwelming victory in his heat race, winning by almost 200 yards. Neal said he should now have enough points to put him on top of the Gen X leaderboard.

Driving a race car, though, is no easy task for the Fallon teen. He controls his acceleration and braking with a hand control. Neal normally steers with one hand.

Chris Lumsden, who serves on the board of directors and is this year's track spokesman, said he was apprehensive about letting Neal race.

"I was concerned for him getting in and out of his car," Lumsden said. "But the best way to find out is to let him drive a car."

Now, Lumsden said he doesn't think of Neal's adversity. Although he treats Neal the same as other Gen X drivers, Lumsden said he is happy for Neal's achievements during the past two weeks.

"In his last race, he drove a smooth race ... no spinning out," Lumsden said.

To Chris Neal, there is no such word as can't. When he's not auto racing, Neal is riding quads. During the winter, he likes to ski. This fall, he will be enroll at Western Nevada College, and eventually, he may attend the University of Nevada.

Yet, no barrier keeps Neal from doing what he enjoys in life.

"I can do anything when I set my mind to it," he said.