3/11/2024
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
Meet Advanced Fastening Supply BMARA Driver, Kyle Koch
The name, "Koch," should be familiar to AFS Badger Midget Auto Racing Association fans. Today we have Badger driver, Kyle Koch, who finished 19th in 2023 points. Before him, there was his dad, Randy Koch and uncle Kevin Koch, who were Badger champions. Kyle's paternal grandfather, Dick Koch, was a car owner.
Kyle attended his first race in 1990, at the age of 3 months old, to watch his dad race a midget at Kankakee County (IL) Speedway. Fast forward to 2023, and Kyle scored a runner up spot in his heat and a 14th place feature run at the same track, 33 years to the date, with Badger. Before he was a year old, vintage photos show him wide eyed and celebrating with his dad in Victory Lane at Angell Park Speedway.
Kyle came up through the driving ranks like so many other drivers. Karts at Sugar River Raceway (Broadhead, WI), quarter midgets and mini sprints were all included in his upbringing. In 2017 he made the leap to the BMARA. Today he dons the #59 in tribute to his dad's primary number.
Paul Krueger, Kyle's maternal grandfather, is the car owner of the Badger Welding Supplies Inc. #59. Paul, is a Badger Midget Series legend in his own right as a six-time owner's champion and an esteemed member of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Maintaining the car is a team effort. Paul does a substantial amount of wrenching on the ride, while Kyle deals with the cleaning and is the tire and fuel man. With his vast driving experience, Randy works on the set up.
Kyle is employed by Walgreens during the day. In his off time, he keeps in race-shape by working out with a personal trainer.
Over the years, from Angell Park Speedway, to the Hut 100, Turkey Night Grand Prix, along with most midget tracks and other big events in between, Kyle's been to them all (at least as a fan).
Name anyone in the last 30 years, of open wheel import and Kyle has probably met them and obtained their autograph. He also has an extensive collection of midget and sprint car diecast cars.
About the Bill Blumer Jr. photos: Kyle on the track at Angell Park. Kyle, with Paul pushing him up to the grid.
Article by: Bill Blumer Jr.
Submitted By: William Blumer
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