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The fumes and noise don't keep Judy Hanel from doing her job; in fact they may help her.
Hanel is the head pit chef at the Mt. Pleasant Speedway and has been grilling in the pits for around eight years after starting at the track working the pit booth.
After dating pit steward Warren Elkins for about a year, Hanel said she decided to come to the races to watch him work.
"(Mt. Pleasant Speedway owner) Betty (Crook) asked if I wanted a job and I said 'yes' because at the time I had two boys to raise and could use the extra money," Hanel said.
When the cooking position became available a few years later, Hanel said she was willing to give it a try,
"Betty's sister-in-law was doing the cooking, but she couldn't do it anymore and Betty asked me if I wanted to do it," Hanel said. "I said 'sure I'll try it.'"
As the head pit chef, Hanel gets to the track early and by about 5 p.m. or so is getting the grill prepared for her customers.
"I like the drivers," she said. "They're all very nice and have good personalities when they're getting food," Hanel said with a laugh.
Known for her mouth-watering hamburgers and hot dogs, Hanel was awarded the honor of "Best Race Track Hot Dog" by the old Marc Time Racing News about three years ago, she said.
That recognition is something Hanel still takes pride in.
"I was so happy," she said. "Mainly because Warren (Elkins) who has worked here for about 20 years has never been in the Marc Times and I was," she said with a smirk.
The ultimate tribute to Hanel's grilling mastery is seeing drivers make it a point to order her food before the races.
"I've had drivers from up north and down south say they come here just because they've heard about the hamburgers and hot dogs," she said. "They just like them. The food is made on the grill and it's fresh.
Asked for any special tricks or methods she uses to give the food that added touch, Hanel said there really aren't any.
"I think it's the dirt from the track that maks them so good," she said. "There is nothing like a good dirt track hamburger or hot dog."
Cooking the hamburgers takes about 15 to 20 minutes on the grill, while the hot dogs takes roughly 10 minutes.
"I usually do 200 hamburgers and at least 150 hot dogs and 25 to 50 brats," Hanel said.
Hanel added a new offering about two years ago to her famous food - grilled onions and peppers.
"They're a big hit," she said. "The new thing is a hamburger with grilled onions and peppers on the top."
For those who prefer cheeseburgers, Hanel said a simple method she uses is just to melt the cheese first.
So if you're looking for a great grilled hamburger or hot dog, be sure to stop out to the Mt. Pleasant Speedway, 4658 E. River Rd. in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. and go to the pits where you will be sure to find "Chef Judy" making one of her famous creations. You won't go away hungry.
