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Area stock car driver still racing after six decades

By Janelle Fisher
Intern

GREEN BAY – What started as a trip to the races with a friend more than 60 years ago has turned into a decades-long stock car racing career for Jerry Muenster.

At 81 years young, he is still racing – and winning – at Shawano Speedway.

Muenster said he entered the world of stock car racing after attending a race with a friend in 1960.

“A friend of mine and I went to the stock car racing in De Pere, and we enjoyed the race so we thought, ‘We gotta try this someday,’” he said. “So we joined our money and got $200 together and bought a race car.”

Car
Jerry Muenster and his friend Doug Nelson pooled together $200 in 1960 to buy a stock car. Submitted Photos

Muenster said he originally started out as the mechanic, while his friend drove the car in races.

“We started racing and he was the driver, his name was Doug Nelson,” he said. “I had always been the mechanic, and so we started doing that. We were having a really good time with it.”

Muenster said after Nelson was involved in an accident and couldn’t race, he got his first opportunity to get behind the wheel.

“He got injured in a truck accident, so he was laid up,” he said. “I came up to see him in the hospital and he said, ‘Well, I can’t drive for a while, we’ve got all this money in the car, so you’re going to have to drive and win some money back.’ So that was it. That got me going. That following weekend I was racing.”

Muenster said it wasn’t long that he realized he preferred driving over being a mechanic.

“Once I drove, I liked that a whole lot better,” he said. “But I still like the mechanical end of it. I still built the cars and put motors together and all that stuff for myself and my son.”

Car
Jerry Muenster said he started out as a mechanic, but once behind the wheel, he realized he enjoyed driving stock cars more than he liked working on them.

As he got further into the world of racing, Muenster said he was fortunate enough to have a mentor, Earl Ness, to help show him the ropes.

“He kind of took me under his wing and showed me what to do and how to act,” Muenster said. “After I passed him up for the first time he said ‘Well, you’re on your own,’ and he just laughed, but he still helped me.”

He said he’s enjoyed the opportunity to serve as a mentor to younger racers over the years as well.

“(There were) several through the years that I helped out because they’re nice kids,” he said. “I like to help the youngsters.”

A race to remember
Muenster said one of the most memorable experiences in his racing career happened in 1994, when he qualified for the Super National Race.

“We went to the Super National Race, down in Boone, Iowa,” he said. “We had like 300 modified cars trying to qualify for a 33-car field, and I qualified.”

After 50 laps, Muenster said he finished in fourth place – the best he’s placed at a Super National Race.

“They started the race three cars wide and I finished fourth in that race,” he said. “That was my best shot at the Super National. That’s a big deal for IMC (International Motor Contest Association) modified.”

Currently, Jerry Muenster races an IMC (International Motor Contest Association) modified car at Shawano Speedway.

Still racing
After more than 60 years of racing, Muenster said he still enjoys the thrill of racing – still hitting the track in Shawano every Saturday night during the summer.

He even won a race last month – his first win in a while.

“I finished first and that qualified me for the main event and got me a good starting spot,” he said. “So that was fun. It’s been a while since I won.”

Muenster said the cheering race crowd that night went wild helping him celebrate his win.

“I thought the crowd was gonna tear the roof off the grandstand,” he said. “My family was all there, and they were all excited.”

Muenster said even off the track, he has acquired quite a few fans that love to show their support, which keeps racing fun.

“The fans get so involved,” he said. “I’ve got fans now that are contacting me on Facebook and they’re getting so excited over the races, too. Some of them I never knew before, and it’s just really fun.”

It’s the support of the racing community – both fans and other racers alike – that Muenster said is a big part of what’s kept him coming back for more.

“It’s mostly the camaraderie among all the people in the pits and the fans,” he said. “The fans come down after the race and we talk, and I’ve met more nice, interesting people there than anywhere. I really enjoy that part of it. And I love the competition, and the speed and racing overall.”

Even as a seasoned veteran, Muenster said races can sometimes be a bit daunting.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking sometimes making sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row, because once you’re on the track, it’s too late to fix anything” he said. “It’s still enjoyable, no matter what, and my grandkids come and help me get prepared – getting in the car and the helmet and all the safety equipment.”

Car
Jerry Muenster said he loves the competition, speed and camaraderie the racing world offers.

A family affair
Though holding the title of the oldest racer in his family, Muenster can’t say he’s the only one anymore.
He said he has family members that race at venues all over the state, carrying on the legacy he started six decades ago.

“My son also races at WIR (Wisconsin International Raceway) and with me at Shawano,” he said. “I’ve got two grandsons, JJ and Jerry Vanderloop, and they’re both racing the modifieds, plus JJ races a late-model in Kaukauna at WIR. They both race at the Outagamie Speedway and sometimes at Luxembourg. Their dad, Jay Vanderloop, he’s really got both feet in it. I also have a granddaughter that races, Lauren Muenster, and she races in Beaver Dam and at 141 Speedway.”

Muenster said one of the things he loves about racing is that it is a great family activity.

“Racing in general is just good for family,” he said. “It keeps the families all stuck together and it’s good for young people.”

Muenster said it isn’t just race day that pulls families together – but rather all the work leading up to them that makes those races possible.

“The kids are in the garage working on the cars on the weekends and during the week,” he said, “and they’ve got their little buddies that come over, and it’s a really nice group of people overall. I think it’s good for family relations.”

Now 81 years old, Muenster said he has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

“I plan on (continuing racing) as long as the guy upstairs lets me,” he said. “I’m happy I can still do it. People think I’m crazy at this age, but I’m only 79, plus two. 79 is my race car number.”

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