Gunnar Setser of Columbus is preparing for a busy race schedule for the 2024 season. Setser’s first race of the year will be this weekend at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, Illinois.
Submitted photo
Young open-wheel racer Gunnar Setser of Columbus is planning a diverse slate of races throughout 2024, highlighted by running his No. 43 Arnold Racing Lynk by Driven Midwest chassis full-time with the POWRi National Midget Series and during the majority of the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series schedule.
The 15-year-old claimed five Micro wins and seven top-five finishes last year as he took on a variety of disciplines, including Midgets and Sprint Cars. In only his third time in a Midget, he landed on the podium at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s, Port City Raceway. Now, he is looking to further establish himself with a schedule that will see him compete against the stiffest competition of his career nearly every week.
“I’m really excited to gain experience at different tracks,” Setser said. “I feel like this year is going to be a huge learning year for me and will help me learn to adapt to different track conditions as well.”
The driver known as “G-Man” opened the season in Florida, competing in a 360 Sprint Car with the Top Gun Winged Springs at Hendry County Motorsports Park. He scored a best finish of sixth at the track located in Clewiston in the Sunshine State.
As Setser traverses the country, he’ll continue to receive extensive support from Midwest Tube Mills (MTM). The company is a longtime supporter of the Setser family, having sponsored Gunnar’s father Jason in both Dirt and Pavement Late Models and Sprint Cars. The manufacturer of pipe and tubing based in Madison, then came on board with Gunnar when his career kicked off in 2018.
The Cure Starts Now, an organization in Cincinnati working to eliminate cancer, has also been with Gunnar Setser since his career began, while Indianapolis-based Central Marketing Transport Services came on board in 2023 and remains a supporter of Setser’s racing endeavors.
In addition, Columbus-based Professional Concrete Cutting and Drilling owned by Craig Sims has joined the team this year to help further Setser’s burgeoning career.
“It’s pretty special to have someone want to sponsor me who was such a big part of my dad’s career,” Setser said. “Rick with MTM has always encouraged me to follow my dreams driving various kinds of cars. The Cure Starts Now also holds a special place in my heart as the Indiana chapter was started by a family we remain close to who lost their son Peyton to a brain tumor.”
More information about Gunnar Setser is at www.SetserRacing.com
Schatz gets 500th career win
At one point in time, Donny Schatz was a North Dakota kid in the stands watching races as Sprint Car dreams bloomed within his mind. Now, he’s a 500-time Sprint Car Feature winner.
He fought through early struggles that every driver combats. He began to collect some checkered flags in the 1990s. He ascended to the highest level of the sport with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and eventually became the most dominant force with the Series for a stretch. Wins on the sport’s biggest stages at the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, National Open piled up along with so many more. And on March 4 at Volusia Speedway Park, he made his 500th trip to Victory Lane and 312th with the World of Outlaws.
The 10-time Series champion lined up fourth on the grid, got a strong start, and was at the right place at the right time when misfortune struck a leading Michael Kofoid. A shredded tire gifted Schatz the lead, and he never looked back on his way to win number 500.
Volusia has been a helpful racetrack for Schatz on his path to 500. Monday’s Bike Week Jamboree marked his 24th overall Sprint Car victory at “The World’s Fastest Half Mile.” The driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 has earned 15 of those with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Volusia is the fourth winningest track on Schatz’s World of Outlaws résumé, trailing only Williams Grove Speedway, Knoxville Raceway and Eldora Speedway.
But even with the enormous magnitude of the achievement, it was business as usual for Schatz when the race concluded. He’s not focused on any milestones. He’s focused on getting the next win and the many more that will surely follow.
“I really don’t want to think about it,” Schatz said. “I feel like I’ve got a lot of years left in me. I’ve got a lot of good racing left in me because I still love to race. That’s the important part. Numbers are numbers. That’s the stuff that I’m probably going to roll over to Steve Kinser’s bus someday when we’re sitting here at Volusia watching our kids or our kids’ kids, and we’ll have talks about it. But for now, it’s just a number you don’t even want to think about. I’ve been very fortunate to race with a lot of great people and have great partners behind us.”
Brownstown opener cancelled
The “Midwest Season Opener” scheduled for tonight at Brownstown Speedway has been cancelled due to inclement weather. It was slated to be the season opener for the Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series. The series will return to Brownstown on April 6 for the Second Annual Ira Bastin Memorial. On March 16, Brownstown will host an open practice for all divisions. For more information, visit brownstownspeedway.com
Upcoming local racing schedule
March 16: Paragon Speedway — No Way Out 40 for 410 non-wing sprint cars, $10,000 to win, plus modifieds. For more info, visit paragonspeedway.com
March 16: Florence Speedway, Union, Kentucky — 48th Annual Spring 50, Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series, $10,000 to win, plus modifieds and crate late models. For more info, visit florencespeedway.com
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected]
