A family in Powell has been collecting vintage cars for decades — they renovate them, and when it’s time, they race them. 

The Petersen family has acquired a diverse selection of cars through various sources, including connections throughout the town and occasionally Facebook Marketplace. Anneliese Petersen, a senior at Powell High School, currently drives a 1972 Cadillac with approximately 162,000 miles. 

The Petersens have tinkered with cars for three generations, starting with Anneliese’s grandpa, Neal Petersen. As a kid, she would watch her grandpa work on battered vehicles, and growing up, the automobile responsibilities were extended to her immediate family. 

Petersen’s older brothers Wyatt and Logan Peterson, 22 and 20 years old, participate in local derby races, where the renovated vehicles are put to the test. Growing up, Petersen’s brothers would watch the derbies. Now Anneliese is the one watching them. 

Despite the initial thrill, she can’t help but feel relieved once it’s over and her brothers come out the other side in one piece. 

A lot of work goes into preparation for a race. The brothers get their vehicle and strip it entirely. Afterward, they weld the car’s plates and bumpers. After the race, the cars are damaged, and they start the process all over again.

Anneliese’s brothers race around the tracks on the renovated wheels while she works behind the scenes, assisting her dad and brothers in repairs. 

Petersen only has a few years of driving experience under her belt, however she’s still able to think back on the favorite cars she’s driven. Throughout most of high school, Petersen drove a 1997 Mazda Miata MX edition, which she sold three months ago. Another favorite was the car her dad taught her to drive in: a 2015 bright orange Camaro she would often use to coast along Powell’s backroads. 

“My dad taught me how to drive in the Camaro,” Petersen said. “Probably ever since I was little, just watching like my grandpa had some old trucks and watching him work on them and driving them with him. It’s pretty fun just around the farm.” 

But Anneliese isn’t the only young Petersen stepping into the family legacy.

At 14 years old, Landon Petersen has been a spectator to his brothers’ races for years. 

Logan has been racing for several years, Annelise said, and encouraged Wyatt to do the same, “Wyatt just kind of fell in love.”

Recently, Landon decided to follow in their footsteps and begin racing himself, adding another car to the Petersen roster.