---

Q&A with Badger Car Owner Harlin Kittleson

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 next Pit Stop Bio is with former Badger President and owner of the famous “Red Deuce” Harlin Kittleson. Harlin, now retired, was a self-employed horticulturist and owner of Edgerton Floral company in Edgerton, WI. Harlin has had an impressive list of drivers who have piloted the famous car over the years including Jason Leffler, Kasey Kahne, Stan Fox, Dave Darland, and Randy Koch just to name a few. Harlin fields a Spike Chassis midget powered by a Kippley Performance Mazda engine. Harlin’s sponsor partners include 1855 Saloon & Grill, Mid-State Equipment, Glass Works of Wisconsin, and Morrison’s Auto Salvage. Below are some answers from a recent interview conducted with Harlin.

Name one accomplishment that you’re proud of in your racing career?
BADGER Car Owner Championships

If you won the super-duper mega lotto, what would you do first?
Charity for my community

If you walk into a bar at happy hour, what do you order?
Diet Coke

All-time favorite racecar driver?
Dave Darland

If you had a super Midget team like KKM or CMR, name 5 drivers, past or present, you would hire?
Jacob Denny, Daison Pursley, Buddy Kofoid

What kind of streetcar/truck do you drive?
Chevy car and truck

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 an unlimited product from a sponsor, besides Hoosier Tire, who/what would that sponsor be?
Spike Chassis

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

Favorite food?
Pizza Burgers

What toppings do you put on your pizza?
Hamburger

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?
Jason Leffler

Any hobbies you have outside of racing?
Baseball

If you could time travel, where would you go first?
New Zealand Midget Racing

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

The first form of racing you participated in?
Midgets

Favorite cereal when you were a kid?
Corn Flakes

Favorite movie?
Grand Prix

Name any sports, including racing, that you follow, and your favorites in those sports?
All Wisconsin Teams starting with the Brewers, Packers, Badgers

Favorite travel destination?
Hawaii

Best guess on how old Kevin Olson is?
78

Putting the Midget aside, if you were paid a million dollars a year (with no sponsor obligations) to just own a racecar (all expenses paid), 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?
Indy Car

Do you have a nickname, if so, how did you get it?
Friends call me Harley

How did you come up with your car number (2)?
It was a single-digit number, so less paint/decals

Other than your fine sponsors, Who helps you at the track, and/or get to the racetrack?
Dave Gundlock, Jeff Eikland

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