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Q&A with Badger Car Owner Bill Ecker

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 car owner champion Bill Ecker. Bill, a Sun Prairie native and retired school teacher (La Follette High), has been involved with midget racing for decades. Bill started out by helping Al Cole and went onto winning championships with Randy Koch and car owner Kevin Fillner. He then moved into the ownership role and has been there ever since. Bill has used different chassis over the years, and this year he will be fielding a Spike chassis powered by a Kippley Performance Mazda. Bill’s sponsor partners include Howard Law Des Moines, IA, Advanced Fastener Supply Inc Madison, WI, Club LaMark Madison, WI. Below are some answers from a recent interview conducted with Bill.

Name one accomplishment that you’re proud of in your racing career?
BADGER Championship

If you won the super-duper mega lotto, what would you do first?
Subsidize Midget Racing with Bigger Purses

If you walk into a bar at happy hour, what do you order?
Miller Lite

All-time favorite racecar driver?
Brad Kuhn, Daniel Robinson

What kind of streetcar/truck do you drive?
GMC Pickup

Name a celebrity that should NOT be famous?
Donald Trump

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

If you could receive an unlimited product from a sponsor, besides Hoosier Tire, who/what would that sponsor be?
Stanton Race Engines

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

Favorite food?
Any Steak

What toppings do you put on your pizza?
Loaded

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?
Turkey Night at Ascot

All-time favorite midget driver?
Andrew Felker

Do you have a dog (breed), cat, or both? Name(s)
Mutt/Cooper

Any hobbies you have outside of racing?
Working on old cars

Do you have a mentor, or hero that you would like to name?
Twin brother Bob Ecker

The first form of racing you participated in?
Hobby Stocks

Favorite cereal when you were a kid?
Cheerios

Name any sports, including racing, that you follow, and your favorites in those sports?
Green Bay Packers

Favorite travel destination?
Florida

After Daniel Robinson’s famous quote at the Chili Bowl 2021, what driver would you like Your car most to pass, on the last lap for the win in a car you own (any era)?
Kyle Larson

Best guess on how old Kevin Olson is?
62

Putting the Midget aside, if you were paid a million dollars a year (with no sponsor obligations and all expenses paid)) to just own/run 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?
Silver Crown car

Do you have a nickname, if so, how did you get it?
Mac

How did you come up with your car number (57)?
57 Chevy

Other than your fine sponsors, Who helps you at the track, and/or get to the racetrack?
Steve Winke, Mike Burns, Miles Tokheim

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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