---

Q&A with Badger Competitor Tyler Baran

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.

To continue along with our Pit Stop Bio releases, our next competitor is Tyler Baran. Tyler hails from Plainfield, Illinois, and is employed by his dad Scott and his grandfather Len as a designer and a salesman for Pry-Bar Inc. Tyler pilots the BBoyz Racing Team number 11T. It is a Ripper chassis powered by an MWR Technologies Honda. As a young karting racer, Tyler was disqualified one time for pulling a Daniel Robinson on the flagman. We would like to say Tyler has grown since then. Tyler’s sponsor partners include Horizon Carpentry, Pry-Bar Inc., and Terminal Supply. Below are some answers from a recent interview conducted with Tyler.

Name one accomplishment that you’re proud of in your racing career?
Finishing 1,2,3, last year at Sycamore with my teammates Nick Baran (Brother), and Jeff Zelinski

If you won the super-duper mega lotto, what would you do first?
Fund a Keith Kunz-type Midget team.

If you walk into a bar at happy hour, what do you order?
Iced Tea

Name some music artists, albums, or CDs you would have if stuck on a deserted island?
Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen

All-time favorite racecar driver?
Jeff Gordon

If you had a super Midget team like KKM or CMR, name 5 drivers, past or present, you would hire?
An undiscovered talent that would NOT have to pay to drive my cars

What kind of streetcar/truck do you drive?
Subaru WRX

Name a celebrity that should NOT be famous?
Kim 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?
Monaco Grand Prix

If you could receive an unlimited product from a sponsor, besides Hoosier Tire, who/what would that sponsor be?
BP Racing Fuel

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

Favorite food?
Pasta

What toppings do you put on your pizza?
Pepperoni with NO cheese

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?
Night Before the 500

All-time favorite midget driver?
Kyle Larson

Do you have a dog (breed), cat, or both? Name(s):
English Bulldog/Bella

Any hobbies you have outside of racing?
Snowmobiles and Hiking

Do you have a mentor, or hero that you would like to name?
Dad (Scott) and Grandpa (Lenny)

The first form of racing you participated in?
Karting

Favorite cereal when you were a kid?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Favorite movie?
Harry Potter Series

Name any sports, including racing, that you follow, and your favorites in those sports?
L.A. Rams

Favorite travel destination?
Colorado

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)?
Kyle Larson

Best guess on how old Kevin Olson is?
105

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, F-1, or NASCAR?
Formula 1

If you had entrance music/theme song at the track (like pro wrestlers), what would it be?
Awolnation/Sail

How did you come up with your car number (11)?
My Mom chose it because it was my Football number in H.S. and College

Other than your fine sponsors, Who helps you at the track, and/or get to the racetrack?
Bill McGowan, Molly McGowan, Jeff and Jake Thompson, Jeff Zelinski, Robin Fugate, and Tyler Hanfield

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!

Back to News