TOWN OF BURLINGTON - Steve Just and Chuck Pinkalla first bonded over go-karts and kids. The two dads both wanted to get their kids into go-karts.

Pinkalla, 53, of Caledonia, said that's how they got to know each other's families - on the racetrack.

In their last phone conversation, they talked cars, grandkids, go-karts and Nascar. Then Pinkalla got a call from Just's wife the next morning saying he didn't come home.

Just, 54, of New Berlin, may be the man whose body was found in a burned-out pickup truck on a private archery club trail last week, authorities said Tuesday.

Between July 12 and 13, authorities believe Just was traveling from his home to the western area of Racine County on highways Y and 36, according to a news release from the Racine County Sheriff's Department. Authorities believe he was driving a red pickup truck with yellow flames painted on it, carting an empty car trailer.

Authorities are still investigating the death. Friends said they did not know why Just would have been in the area, or what could have happened.

Racine County Medical Examiner Tom Terry said dental records and the few teeth found on the scene indicate the victim is probably Just.

"I'm not saying that's who it is," he said. "I'm waiting for a DNA match."

Cars and motorcycles

John Stalewski, 54, of West Milwaukee, knew Just since junior high.

"Anything with cars and motorcycles go way back with Steve," he said.

Pinkalla said Just's interest in cars began when he was young, when he'd go go-karting with his dad.

Mike Beagel, 37, of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., said he used to race with Just back in the 1990s. A few years after they met, he said his truck broke down on the way back from a race. A few racers passed by, but he said Just stopped and helped him fix his truck.

"He'd take the shirt off his back for anybody, just about," he said.

A neighbor of 20 years agrees.

Just was always willing to lend a hand, said Janet Brighty.

"Once our power all went out in this area and he hooked up our refrigerator to his generator," said Brighty, 59, of New Berlin. "He was a very, very giving man."

Just was handy too. He built his children a swing set and worked on cars in his driveway, Brighty said.

"He probably has more tools in his garage than there's people in New Berlin," she joked.

She said Just drove a semi for Bell Industries, an Indianapolis-based distributor of replacement parts and accessories.

A private memorial service is planned for Thursday.

The Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series, which Just raced with, dedicated a race in his honor Saturday night. Pinkalla and his children replicated the last race car Just drove - red on the sides and white on top - for the memorial lap before the race.

Pinkalla said he came out of retirement for the tribute race. He raced 200 laps Saturday night with one of Just's helmets strapped into the passenger seat.

"I raced just so I could honor my friend," Pinkalla said. "He raced with me all night."

Lindsay Fiori of The Journal Times contributed to this report.

The body in the pickup truck

The body was found July 13 in a burned-out pickup truck on one of the trails at Buck Trail Archery Club, 32622 Yahnke Road. Steven Just is not a registered member of the club.

The truck, which was hauling a large, empty trailer, was found by archery club members about a quarter of a mile into the woods, behind a building on the property. Members of the club were last in the area between 3 and 4 p.m. on Sunday and at that time the truck was not on the trail, reports said.

Nearby residents told sheriff's deputies that they heard a loud bang like a shotgun being fired around 10:45 p.m. July 12, and then were woken up by five to six loud bangs between 1:50 and 2:10 a.m. July 13.

Investigators believe the fire occurred late July 12 afternoon or early July 13. Initial reports said the fire had burned so hot that it melted the license plates and vehicle identification number on the truck. There was some scorching of the woods but the truck appears to be where the fire ignited.

Sgt. James Weidner with the sheriff's department said the police are not releasing information about how the fire may have started.

The death remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about Just or his truck should contact the sheriff's department at (262) 636-3991.