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Q&A with Badger Competitor Mike Stroik

As the Badger Midget Series heads into its 85th year of motorsports, the organization would like to introduce the stars, cars, and owners who will be competing this season. We hope you enjoy learning about your favorite competitors and seeing them on track in 2021.

Our first Pit Stop Bio is with former Badger race winner Mike Stroik, from West Bend, WI. Stroik is self-employed with a property management company in Madison, WI. Stroik has been racing midgets for six years and pilots a Stealth with a self-built Chevy engine. Stroik’s sponsor partners include H.H. Hinder Brewing Co. out of Waupaca, WI, and Heartland Construction out of Slinger, WI. Below are some answers from a recent interview conducted with Stroik.

Name one accomplishment that you’re proud of in your racing career?
First BADGER win at Luxemburg Speedway June 2019

If you won the super-duper mega lotto, what would you do first?
As a family, start a super Midget team like Keith Kunz

If you walk into a bar at happy hour, what do you order?
Busch Light

Name some music artists, albums, or CDs you would have if stuck on a
deserted island?
John Prine, Santana

All-time favorite racecar driver?
Bill Elliott

If you had a super Midget team like KKM or CMR, name 5 drivers, past or
present, you would hire?
Bryan Clauson, Kevin Olson, Kyle Larson, Rico Abreu

What kind of streetcar/truck do you drive?
Ford F-250

Name a celebrity that should NOT be famous?
Any Kardashian

Sandals, Socks or no socks?
No Socks

If you could win just one, which would it be? Daytona 500, Indy 500, 24
Hours of Le Mans, Monaco Grand Prix?
24 Hours of LeMans

If you could receive an unlimited product from a sponsor, besides Hoosier
Tire, who/what would that sponsor be?
715 Blonde Ale from H.H. Brewing

If you owned a 5-star restaurant what would you be your specialty?
Brisket

Favorite food?
Pork Ribs

What toppings do you put on your pizza?
Pepperoni

If you could have won just one marquis Midget race in the past, which would it have been: Hut 100 at Terre Haute, Belleville Nationals, Turkey Night at
Ascot, Night before the 500 at IRP?
Belleville Nationals

All-time favorite midget driver?
Bryan Clauson

Any hobbies you have outside of racing?
Fishing and Family

If you could time travel, where would you go first?
Time of the first automobile

Do you have a mentor, or hero that you would like to name?
Dad

The first form of racing you participated in?
Karting

Favorite cereal when you were a kid?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Favorite movie?
Boondock Saints

Name any sports, including racing, that you follow, and your favorites in those
sports?
College Football and Basketball-- Badgers

Favorite travel destination?
Hawaii

After Daniel Robinson’s famous quote at the Chili Bowl 2021, what driver,
would you like most to pass on the last lap for the win (any era)?
Chase McDermand

Best guess on how old Kevin Olson is?
62

Besides your significant other, obviously, who would be your ultimate Trophy
Queen/King after winning the big race?
Hurst Shifter Girl Linda Vaughn

Putting the Midget aside, if you were paid a million dollars a year (with no
sponsor obligations) to just drive a racecar, which one would you choose.
Micro Sprint, Non-Wing Sprint car, Wing Sprint car, Silver Crown car, Dirt Late
Model, Sports cars, Nitro drag car, Indy Car, or NASCAR?
Sports Cars or NASCAR

If you had entrance music/theme song at the track (like pro wrestlers), what would it be?
AC/DC - T.N.T.

Do you have a nickname, if so, how did you get it?
Catfish Stroik, given to me by Bryan Gapinski

How did you come up with your car number (9S)?
Tribute to Bill Elliott (the S is just added because of multiple 9 cars)

Other than your fine sponsors, Who helps you at the track, and/or get to the
racetrack?
Denny Smith, Dane O’Dell

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