SLINGER – Beneath that screaming neon vinyl, Ty Majeski’s race cars haven’t changed.
They’re just harder to miss as he picks his way through the field than when they were black.
Majeski demonstrated that for home state fans April 26 at Slinger Speedway, and he’ll try again with the Midwest Tour Joe Shear Classic May 2.
And then fans will have plenty more opportunities to watch Majeski at Slinger in 2026 than ever as the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion from Neenah attempts his most ambitious schedule at the venerable quarter-mile.
“I love racing in general. It doesn’t matter if it’s here or anywhere,” Majeski said after winning the season-opening Jerry Priesgen Memorial 100, his 41st victory on the ASA Midwest Tour.
“I’m a racer by heart and have a lot of great people behind me and to be able to do 20 late model races on top of 25 truck races and traveling up and down the road all the time and still finding time at home to spend with my family.
“I’ve done it for so long and been competitive for so long as well. This industry changes so much by the week and you’re always having to get better and find different things to stay ahead of the program. And it takes people to do that.”
One recent change in the industry unrelated to the change in Majeski’s car is the ownership of Slinger Speedway.
The approach taken by Travis and Kelsey Dassow as they begin their second season of track ownership is what will bring Majeski for three $7,000-to-win “triple crown” races May 17, Aug. 2 and Aug. 30, in addition to the ASA STARS National Tour event June 21 and the marquee event, the Slinger Nationals, July 14.
“It’s only usually once a year or twice with this race,” said Majeski, who has won four Slinger Nationals and also won the 2024 Midwest Tour opener.
“Travis and Kelsey are doing a great job with this racetrack, putting up real money. It’s how super late model racing should be. Nothing under five grand to win, and they’re paying a little extra for the triple crown. So we’re happy to come here, support it, it works in my schedule, so we’re gonna make it happen.”
Majeski, 31, picked up $7,500 for his Midwest Tour victory, $5,000 from the purse and half of a $5,000 bonus he split with a lucky fan who picked him to win. The victory at Slinger was his second since his debuting the same Menards colors on his No. 91 super late model that appear on his No. 88 NASCAR truck.
Defending track champion Grant Griesbach finished second after starting on the pole. Casey Johnson, who has set up Griesbach’s cars since 2020, finished third.
“Finishing second to the 91, I consider that a win in a Tour race,” Griesbach said. “We finished top-three with the two best drivers in the Midwest, so I’m pretty proud of that.
“So it’s been a lot of years and we’ve had great cars and everything’s just finally come together last year and into this year. So it’s good to see. In a super late it’s my 12th year now. So I feel like I’ve been doing it forever and we finally got some success to my name.”
Johnson, the reigning Midwest Tour champion from Edgerton, will run for a fifth title in the series but also plans a full Slinger assault with Chase Motorsports, which has been a staple at Wisconsin International Raceway. That put him in Dennis Chase’s blue No. 47 for this race, but he’ll be back in his No. 5 in a week at Madison International Speedway.
“He’s always wanted to run Slinger full-time,” Johnson said. “I’ve never done it myself, so I was like, hey, let’s give it a shot. I mean, it’s an awesome place. It’s not that far from us. Might as well try running for a championship once.”
Majeski took the lead from Alex Prunty on the 51st of 100 laps. Prunty finished fourth. Luke Fenhaus, who was fastest in qualifying, fought his way to third from his ninth starting position but then fell back to ninth at the checkered flag, slowed by a flat tire.
Despite the new look, Majeski’s car was the same one with which he won his past two Slinger Nationals and the 2024 opener.
“It’s got a pretty good record here,” Majeski said.
And now it’s easier to spot.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: You’re going to notice Ty Majeski at Slinger a lot more in 2026
Reporting by Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
