By Jeff Pederson
Pedal Down Promotions
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 19, 2024 – While many racers tend to lean toward the reserved, understated and introspective side, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod competitor Barrett Hummelmeier is a racecar driver unafraid to express his enthusiasm, emotion and passion for the sport of racing.
The Friesland native and Waupun resident, who has competed in each of the five PDTR B Mod events in 2024, is enjoying a strong season in the seat of his 33H car.
Like most racers, Hummelmeier’s introduction to racing came through his family.
“I was born into racing,” Hummelmeier said. “My grandfather Charlie Hummelmeier, my father Chuck and my uncle Chad all were involved in racing. My two brothers and I spent our weeknights helping Dad in the shop and cheering our hearts out on Saturday nights.”
Hummelmeier’s own racing career could best be described as a thrill ride featuring several twists and turns.
“My racing career started in 2011 when I raced my father’s Pro Chassis Sport Mod for a partial season at Beaver Dam Raceway,” Hummelmeier said. “The season was plenty rough. It came to a quick end, after I rolled the car in turn two on my fourth night out.
“After that, I spent six years out of the seat to focus on school and my career,” he said. “During that time, I remained involved in racing by helping any racer I could to learn setups and get a feel for how different drivers respond to the ever-changing racing environments.”
Determined to get back behind the wheel, Hummelmeier got a chance to reignite his racing career first on pavement and then on dirt.
“With help from the Junget family, I restarted my racing career in 2017 in a Bandit at Jefferson Speedway and The Dells Raceway Park,” he said. “In 2018, my uncle Chad provided me with the opportunity to go dirt racing again with a Sport Mod at Beaver Dam Raceway. We continued into 2019 racing a Sport Mod at Beaver Dam, Plymouth Dirt Track, Outagamie Speedway and 141 Speedway. We also picked up a go-kart and raced at MRM Raceway in Milton every week for some not-so-serious fun. In 2020, we raced one night before an accident off the track removed me from the seat until this year. We came back to racing this season faster and more consistent than ever, racing a Sport Mod at tracks all over the state.”
Reflecting on the highlights of his racing career thus far, one of Hummelmeier’s most cherished accomplishments came just a few weeks ago at The Plymouth Dirt Track.
“My career has been up and down since the start,” Hummelmeier said. “I don’t have many highlights. However, a few small moments that stand out are winning my first career heat race in a Sport Mod on fan appreciation night in front of my entire family in 2018 at Beaver Dam Raceway. Another good memory was breaking and setting the current track record at MRM Raceway in 2019. Finally, the most recent highlight was my first career feature victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track on June 29th.”
When talking about racing, Hummelmeier, a service technician for Zorn Compressor and Equipment by trade, can’t hold back his excitement and devotion.
“I am passionate and fully indulged in racing on and off the track,” Hummelmeier said. “I enjoy driving and being part of the show. I enjoy the technicality of finding the perfect setup and flaws in the car. What I enjoy the most is all the people I have met and grown close to because of racing. We all share the same passion and goals. On the track, they may be competitors. However, off the track, they are like family.”
Hummelmeier, who currently stands sixth in the PDTR B Mod point standings on the strength of two top-five and three top-10 showings in four main events, including an A-main victory on June 29 and a runner-up showing on April 27.
“My goals for the remainder of 2024 have not changed since the beginning of the season – be consistent, drive smart and be the best I can be,” Hummelmeier said. “When the season started, our main focus as a team was to make the feature and get in the most laps possible. When we reached that goal, we focused on racing all 20-25 laps in each main event as smoothly and consistently as possible. Where we finish at the end of a feature race will improve with time.”
For Hummelmeier, racing is a family affair with a pit crew comprised of Chad Hummelmeier, Sheena Moede, Aaliya Moede, Rachel Fischer and Noah Hummelmeier.
“My crew consists of family members who want to see me succeed at this dream of being a racecar driver,” Hummelmeier said.
Hummelmeier’s sponsors include ALECO Manufacturing and Fabrication Equipment Sales and Hummelmeier Motors.
“Thank you to everyone who makes racing fun,” Hummelmeier said. “It brings a new level of excitement and joy to hear kids in the stands cheering for a driver they don’t know and a promoter thanking a racer for coming to his track that night.
“Racing is a sport I hold close to my heart,” he said. “I was once the little kid in the stands watching guys wheel every weekend dreaming of the day I could do it. Now that it’s my turn, I want to make sure the young fans are as passionate as I am. On behalf of every small-time weekend warrior racer, I want to thank everyone for their support in allowing us as racers to live out our dreams.
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This Saturday’s Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, July 20 will feature the sixth scheduled appearance of the 106.5 The Buzz Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series.
In a 2024 season plaque by rain, just two of the five scheduled Super Six Late Model Series events have been completed with Mitch McGrath of Waukesha victorious on May 11 and Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha winning on June 29.
Following the July 20 event, the final PDTR Super Six Late Model Series race is set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 10.
With just three full racing programs out of 10 scheduled PDTR events completed so far in 2024, this Saturday, July 20 offers another opportunity for each division to “go the distance.” In addition, the Super Six Late Model Series, the Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, Oostburg Automotive Grand Nationals, Sheboygan Flooring B Mods and the Plymouth debut of the High School Racing Association will round out the card.
Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.
For more information about Plymouth Dirt Track Racing or to inquire about 2024 sponsorship opportunities at the track, call Bill Weinaug at 627-1217, send an email to bweinaug@shebcofair.com or visit www.plymouthdtr.com.
The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.
Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.
For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.
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