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Badger Honors Its Own at 2024 Awards Banquet

The Advanced Fastening Supply Badger Midget Auto Racing Association celebrated their 2024 Awards Banquet at the historic Angell Park Pavilion on Saturday, November 9th.

Held in conjunction with the Midget Auto Racing Association’s (MARA) awards presentation, it was a special night for Parker Jones and his Jones Motorsports team as Parker took the driver’s championship crown for both clubs.

Since 1936 Badger has named a champion at the end of the season. From Ted Tetters who was the first, to more familiar names such as Miles Melius, Billy Johnson, Stan Fox and Christopher Bell, Jones adds his name to an impressive list of past Badger champions.

The night started with an introduction and pre-meal prayer by emcee Ray Underwood. The renowned motorsports announcer was pinch-hitting for Badger’s regular man on the mic, Eric Huenefeld who was busy calling an Illinois high school football playoff game. Underwood expressed his deep appreciation for being asked to lead the night’s event and proclaimed his admiration for the administration and drivers of the BMARA.

The catered dinner was well received and had a festive racing atmosphere as Badger’s Sgt. at Arms, Amy Schulz and her crew went all out decorating the venue in racing trim. An estimated crowd of 175 filled the room with the Jones Motorsports table leading the category with 16 spots occupied.

The top five drivers and owners from each club had an opportunity to take the stage, accept their awards and address the crowd. Special awards were also distributed as the night went along. Underwood was assisted by Jim Schulenburg in presenting the hardware. A few special presenters were also on hand.

The following earned BMARA honors:

Driver Championship: Parker Jones
Second Place: Todd Kluever
Third Place: Kyle Stark
Fourth Place: Cody Weisensel
Fifth Place: Matt Rechek

Owner Championship: Bill Ecker (RAB Racing)
Followed By:
Jones Motorsports
Kluever Motorsports
HMK Racing
Weisensel Racing

Special Awards were as follows:
The Pat Stender Award was presented by her son, Paul and was given to “The person who has made outstanding contributions to midget auto racing.” Pat Stender was Badger’s only female president and is a member of the inaugural class of the Badger Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. This award went to Donny Kleven.

The Terry Vaughn Award is issued to the driver who won the last Angell Park Speedway feature in the month of May and went to Brandon Waelti.

The Frank Connor Award for the driver who won the last feature in the month of August at Angell Park went to Daniel Robinson.

The Bob Tattersall Hard Charger Award recipient for the driver who passed the most cars during the season’s A-Mains was Todd Kluever. Apologies on behalf of Bob Tattersall’s widow, Dee Tattersall were sent as she was not well and could not attend the event. One of “Tatt’s” biggest fans Bob Richards was on hand to present the plaque.

The inaugural Kenzie Dunn Award was presented by Badger Vice President Mike Stroik to Kenzie Dunn for her service as a youthful fan who sponsored the cars of Jim Furst and Dave Collins Jr.

The other plaques issued during the night by Underwood and Schulenburg were:

Best Appearing Car: Fanaktive Racing (Trey Weishoff)
Best Appearing Crew: Waelti Racing
Most Improved Driver: Nick Kilian
Rookie of the Year: Luke Wackerlin
Rookie Honors: Brok Cliffcorn and Joel Willman
Mechanic of the Year: Cade Reisdorf (RAB Racing)
Kevin Doty Above and Beyond Award: Jim Schulenburg
Bryan Gapinski Media Award: Bill Blumer Jr.
Badger Appreciation Awards went to: Roy Ophime, photographer; Todd Reuter, videographer; Eric Huenefeld, announcer; Robbie Ray, Badger Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
MyRacePass Badger Midget Fantasy Racing Champion: Jason Dunn

Sponsor Appreciation Awards went to: 1855 Saloon & Grill, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Advanced Fastening Supply, Behling Racing Equipment, Ben’s Auto, Cardinal Heating, Conrad Real Estate Service, Corrigan Mfg, Fusion Engineering, Hammer Automotive, Horizon Carpentry, Horizon Develop Build Manage, High Performance Lubricants, Hoosier Tire, Lyco Mfg, Madison Extinguisher Service, MAZDA, Midwest Engine Service, MyRacePass, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Spankins Motorsports, Mellisa and Bryan Folz (Addison Dahlke last Place Bonus)

The Badger Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame trophy was on display during the event, complete with the names of the first class of inductees. The trophy was designed, built and financed by Lyco Manufacturing of Columbus, WI. The next stop for the trophy will be its winter home at the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame where it will be displayed near hall of famer Landy Scott’s fully restored #17 midget. It should be noted that Hall of Fame members Clare Rhone and Paul Krueger were in attendance at the banquet.

Notes of appreciation went to Bill Bollig, Jim Schulenburg and Clare Rhone who are all retiring from various duties within the BMARA.

A special thanks goes to Heather Yeargin of Angell Park and staff for helping with the set-up, break down and bartending during the banquet.

Jason Dunn goes in the record books as the first BMARA Fantasy Racing Champion powered by the MyRacePass App. While we quietly offered prizes to weekly winners of the contest and the overall winner, we will amp up the action in the 2025 season. Stay tuned for details.

Followers of Badger should look forward to a series of “Season in Review” pieces in the coming weeks and full coverage of Badger drivers who head to Tulsa for the Chili Bowl Nationals in January.

Article by Bill Blumer Jr.
Photo by Roy Ophime

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