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Q&A with Badger Competitor Kurt Mayhew

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 third Pit Stop Bio is with fan-favorite Kurt Mayhew. The long time owner-driver (47 yrs) of the 21K is a retired boilermaker by trade from DeMotte, Indiana. Kurt’s car of choice is an Indianapolis based DRC chassis powered by a Ray Racing Honda. Kurt’s sponsor partners include. Advanced Fastening Supply from Madson, Wisconsin. Below are some answers from a recent interview conducted with Kurt.

Name one accomplishment that you’re proud of in your racing career?
1985ish, when car counts were in the 40s, finished 7th in BADGER points. Finished 13 of 14 races, and won a trophy dash… Still have the trophy!

If you won the super-duper mega lotto, what would you do first?
Go on a trip to New Zealand to race

If you walk into a bar at happy hour, what do you order?
Jim Beam & Water

Name 3-5 music artists, albums, or CDs you would have if stuck on a deserted island?
Any album from John Prine, Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, and Jimmy Hendrix

All-time favorite racecar driver?
Roger Ward

If you had a super Midget team like KKM or CMR, name 5 drivers, past or present, you would hire?
Shorty Templeman, Sleepy Tripp, Kyle Larson, Dan Boorse

What kind of streetcar/truck do you drive?
Ford F-150

Name a celebrity that should NOT be famous?
Robert DeNiro

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?
Indy 500

If you could receive the unlimited product from a sponsor, besides Hoosier Tire, who/what would that sponsor be?
Yuengling Beer

If you owned a 5-star restaurant what would you be your specialty?
Grass-Fed Beef

Favorite food?
Freshwater Fish

What toppings do you put on your pizza?
Pineapple, Sausage, Onion, Diced Tomatoes

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?
Shorty Templeman

Do you have a dog (breed), cat, or both? Name(s)?
None

Any hobbies you have outside of racing?
Snow Skiing

If you could time travel, where would you go first?
Sometime back in the ’70s

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

The first form of racing you participated in?
Karting

Favorite cereal when you were a kid?
Oatmeal

Favorite movie?
Pulp Fiction

Name any sports, including racing, that you follow, and your favorites in those sports?
Open Wheel Racing, Chicago Bears

Favorite travel destination?
New Zealand

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)?
Kevin Olson

Best guess on how old Kevin Olson is?
70

Besides your significant other, obviously, who would be your ultimate Trophy Queen/King after winning the big race?
Sade, or Uma Thurman

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?
Non-Wing Sprint car

If you had entrance music/theme song at the track (like pro wrestlers), what would it be?
Aerosmith: Walk This Way

Other than your fine sponsors, Who helps you at the track, and/or get to the racetrack?
Steve Wineke, Selita Edwards, Jim Bradford

Be on the lookout for more BADGER Bios from our Drivers and Owners! And be sure to join us at the races in 2021 for some of the finest Midget Racing in the entire country!

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