It’s not the racing and it’s not the security that get Larry Shepek, Kansas Speedway’s security manager, all worked up.

It’s the patriotism.

Kansas Speedway security manager Larry Shepek poses in front of the speedway's grandstands.

Shepek’s office walls in the Kansas Speedway security building sport poster-sized prints that depict the September 2001 Winston Cup Series the last race of the Speedway’s inaugural year. For Americans, it was a race overshadowed by the terrorism of Sept. 11. It was a race where patriotism, as well as security, were on alert.

One poster shows thousands of race fans holding colored cards that, from a distance, merge into the crisp red white and blue of an American flag.

Another poster shows a B-1B bomber making a flyby over the stadium.

Shepek’s gaze is drawn to the picture of the B-1B. For a few moments he is motionless except for his jaws, which visibly tighten. Tears come to his eyes. A period of silence passes before he shudders, sighs, and says in a voice barely louder than a whisper: “It’s the freedom that it represents we’re fortunate in America. We’re lucky to be here.”

Changing gears, Shepek takes a sip of coffee before answering an earlier question about the 2002 racing season.

“Am I excited?” Shepek says, once again speaking quickly in his trademark strong voice. “You bet. I’m tickled, and I look forward to a good, strong future at Kansas Speedway.”

A job like Shepek’s presents challenges. For one thing, security has been assigned a more important role since Sept. 11.

“Overall, security has been increased nationwide on all sporting events and all entertainment events,” Shepek says.

Another challenge is overseeing the security staff during events. On weekends, his staff of eight swells to more than 300.

“The coordination of all those people, the equipment, information and the organization of getting them on post to do a specific job it’s a daunting task,” Shepek says.

Part of the task is gaining a familiarity with the world of law enforcement. In April, Shepek graduated from the FBI Citizens’ Academy. The eight-week program gives community leaders an inside look at federal law enforcement. As part of the program, Shepek will also visit the FBI’s training academy in Quantico, Va.

Jeff Boerger, president of Kansas Speedway, says the speedway was fortunate to find Shepek to be the track’s top law enforcement officer.

“Actually, he was already working for us as a lieutenant in the infield and then our security position opened up last mid-season and he stepped in,” Boerger says. “He’s turned out to be a great asset to Kansas Speedway.”

Surprisingly, Shepek, 52, says that a year ago he didn’t envision a mid-life career change. He was a Tonganoxie businessman, owner of Laming, Tice and Shepek Insurance, and for 30 years had been licensed to sell insurance.

Shepek’s first visit to the Speedway was during the track’s construction. Retired Kansas Highway Patrolman Tom Wilson, the Speedway’s first security manager, took a group of area business people on a tour. Shepek talked to Wilson then, and several times after that, about working at the track during race weekends. He didn’t know much about motorsports, he said, but he thought it would be fun to be part of the action by helping out at the track.

“I was an independent businessman,” Shepek says. “I thought I’d come out and work with them. The rest is history.”

It’s a history that includes support, he says, noting the importance of his staff at the track and at his Tonganoxie insurance business, as well as his wife, Kathleen.

“If you don’t have the staff, you can’t do it all yourself,” he said. “If it’s not a team effort you need a new team.”

And, Shepek says, he works hard to make sure he’s in shape for the job. He strives to stay healthy to maintain his naturally high energy level, and until recently he’s been taking aerobic exercise classes in Tonganoxie.

“I like aerobics,” Shepek says. “I was the only guy in the class of 15 to 20 women, age 20 to whatever. It was a little entertaining on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 5:30 it was entertaining because at first they were killing me, but I didn’t die.”

Shepek says he expects to take a ribbing when he starts attending again.

“They’re going to give me a hard time, but that’s all right I miss you girls!” he says.

It’s people skills such as that, as well as his organizational skills, Boerger says, that make Shepek an asset to the speedway.

“His group are the first folks who interact with our guests,” Boerger says.

This year, Boerger says, security is even more of a priority.

“Because there is a lot of responsibility after 9-11, it takes a special individual not only to make sure the job is done, but also to interact with our fan base.”

Boerger says he hopes Shepek’s tenure will be long.

“He’s part of the reason why this place is so successful.”

Shepek plans to stay.

“If someone would have told me two years ago or a year ago that I would have been in this position and enjoy this aspect of life as much as I have, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Shepek says, pausing as he shakes his head and smiles. “Everything happens for a reason. It’s been a truly enjoyable experience and I’m looking forward to the next race.”