12/3/2025
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
Badger Midgets Conclude 90th Season With Awards Banquet
The Advanced Fastening Supply Badger Midget Auto Racing Association celebrated its 90th year recently with their season-ending awards banquet. Parker Jones Racing took home the lion’s share of the hardware with 160 people in attendance.
The Angell Park Pavilion in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin was the venue for the gathering which kicked off with a cocktail hour, followed by a blessing from 2025 Badger Midget Hall of Fame inductee Father Dale Grubba. After the dinner it was time to hand out the awards.
The stage was surrounded with acrylic plaques of varying sizes bearing the name of the particular award and a photo of the car, logo of the business and/or name of the recipient on it. The awards were provided by Fanaktive who was recognized with Trey Weishoff accepting an award. Large banners were hung as a backdrop showing the cars of the driver and owner’s champions and Rookie of the Year.
President Quinn McCabe offered congratulations and thanks during his opening remarks before handing the microphone off. With Badger announcer Eric Huenefeld still recuperating from surgery, the club’s written media representative Bill Blumer Jr. served as emcee while Kenzie Dunn assisted by handing out the awards and checks.
Amy Schulz the Badger Midget Series Director of Competition and Sgt at Arms announced the first winners with plaques of thanks going to an army of sponsors and volunteers who helped with the Addison Dahlke Badger Midget Series Kids’ Club.
She closed her comments by awarding Dunn with a special award for her work with the Kenzie Dunn Youth Sponsorship Program and announced that Dunn will be a Badger Official next year, helping with race day media duties.
Badger Vice President Mike Stroik helped Dunn award a plaque for the inaugural Kenzie Dunn Youth Award which went to Teegan Wangsness for his work within the Badger community.
The top-ten in owner’s and driver’s points were invited to the stage to receive their awards and checks. Many also received recognition for competing in every race during the season.
The end of the program was saved for the father/son duo of John and Parker Jones. John Jones accepted the owner’s award on behalf of Parker Jones Racing where he also received the Mechanic of the Year award.
Regarding the two honors Jones first told his son he was proud of him and then went on to note, “This is not just me, it’s a team effort. We work like clockwork on that race car… I was working on my race car today, all afternoon… that’s why I put that kid where he’s at.”
Just like he is at the track, Parker Jones was all business in accepting the driving champion’s award and others. He thanked his family and crew as they sat at a nearby table. Jones went on to thank Gregg McKarns and said, “Never did I think I’d have a bounty put on me,” referencing the mid-season award to anyone who could beat Jones at Angell Park during his historic winning streak.
Officials and sponsors were thanked next with Jones making a point of expressing appreciation for receiving the Terry Vaughn Award (marking the winner of the last feature in May). In all, as a driver he earned four plaques plus two for his part as a car owner.
The annual awards for non-competition recognition went to the following:
Kevin Doty Award “For going above and beyond”: Linda Bredeson
Special Appreciation: Amy Schulz
Special Appreciation: Dakota Tennyson
Bryan Gapinski Media Award: Todd Reuter
MyRacePass / Wisconsin Automotive Museum Fantasy Racing Champion: Jason Dunn
Pat Stender Award (Presented by Paul Stender) for “Outstanding contributions to midget auto racing”: The McKarns Family accepted by Gregg McKarns
Recognition for their support of special races: Bryan and Melissa Folz for the Dahlke Memorial. Mike and Stacy Hughes for the Dash for Dean.
Sponsorship Awards went to: Advanced Fastening Supply; Auto Meter, Behling Racing Equipment; Ben’s Auto; Cardinal Heating; CASM.Safety Products; Corey Oil; Conrad Real Estate Service; Corrigan Mfg.; Dave Jones; Fusion Engineering; Hammers Auto Service Shop; High Performance Lubricants; Hoosier Tire; Horizon Carpentry; Horizon Group; Kestrel Ridge Golf Course; Madison Extinguisher Service; MAZDA; MB Auto; Mid-State Equipment; Midwest Engine Service; MyRacePass; Lyco Mfg.; Oliver Motors; Ray Racing Ent.; Rick’s Eastside Pub; Rod End Supply; Schoenfeld Headers; Smokes on State; Spankins Motorsports; The Oaks Golf Course; 1855 Saloon & Grill.
Spankins Motorsports Bob Tattersall Hard Charger: Parker Jones
Spankins Motorsports Rookie of the Year: Brian Strain Jr.
Other rookie award: Mike Gebhard
Most Improved Driver: Miles Doherty
Best Appearing Crew: Brian Peterson Racing
Best Appearing Car: Cody Weisensel
Frank Conner Award (For the last feature winner in August): Zach Wigal
NOTES
Todd Kluever gave a word of thanks to driver Kevin Douglas whose crew has been working to build a new Victory Lane at Angell Park.
Badger and National Midget Hall of Famer Paul Krueger was in attendance.
Roy Ophime was on hand to take pictures of recipients and their parties with the BMARA backdrop.
Both the Horstmeyer BMARA Championship and Badger Hall of Fame trophies were on display.
Many teams received certificates from sponsors of the series with Jones garnering a special Golden Ticket from CASM Safety Products and a Champion's jacket from Hoosier Racing Tires.
UP NEXT
After the annual holiday party in early December, many Badger teams will turn their full attention to the fast-approaching Chili Bowl Nationals. Watch for prerace coverage every day from Tulsa on Badger’s Facebook page.
Photo by Roy Ophime
Article by Bill Blumer Jr.
Submitted By: William Blumer