Scott Owen, Leader Columnist
Well another rainout last week. This is really getting old.
In my quest to seek out racing activities last weekend, I and my family ventured south to the Slinger Speedway. The paved track located just northwest of Milwaukee bills itself as the world’s fastest quarter-mile race track.
Much like the Shawano Speedway, Slinger is steeped in tradition. It began hosting races in 1948 and has been the home of legendary racers Alan Kulwicki, Robby Reiser, Al Schill, Conrad Morgan, Rich Bickle and even 1981 Shawano Speedway track champion Lowell Bennett.
Last Sunday’s race was significant for the fact that young Seymour hotshoe Ty Majeski scored his first career feature victory at Slinger. Majeski, currently under contract with Jack Roush, is on the fast track to NASCAR.
Majeski came from humble beginnings, cutting his teeth at the local go-kart tracks Hi-Go Raceway in Cecil and GSR Kartway in Clintonville.
I had the opportunity to watch him race many times in a go-kart. I always thought he was smooth, consistent and fast. These three traits are desirable in any racer.
I felt he had a bright future, but much like many of his contemporaries, I thought his future was in dirt-track racing. During his karting career, Majeski caught the eye of Bobby Waltrip, the middle Waltrip brother, who was able to get Majeski a tryout in North Carolina behind the wheel of a pavement Late Model.
Since then, Majeski has continued to build an impressive resume, including three straight ARCA Midwest Tour Championships.
Majeski, it seems, has not forgotten where he came from. In recent years, he has spent numerous evenings at local go-kart tracks assisting the current crop of go-karters. Majeski has remained humble through all of his success.
Following Majeski’s win Sunday, my 10-year-old son shook Ty’s hand and congratulated him on his victory. Ty took the time to offer a sincere thank you as he worked through the large crowd that swarmed him. As a father, a race fan and someone who works at the track weekly, it is small moments like this that create lifelong race fans.
Since Sunday, my son has not stopped talking about Ty Majeski. My love for racing was forged in a similar manner after a short conversation with the legendary M.J. McBride when I was but a young lad. As much as I love dirt-track racing, it is refreshing to see a young future star like Ty Majeski making a positive impact on young race fans.
I must confess that I’d still like to see what Majeski could do in a dirt car. Either way, keep up the good work, Ty Majeski.
See you at the speedway.