Hollmeyer follows Macenko into Midget Series

Jackson Macenko helping long time friend Buddy Hollmeyer take his first laps at Anderson Speedway (Aaron Skillman photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

Several years ago Jack Macenko went to watch Buddy Hollmeyer race a go kart on a dirt track. The next year the two became competitors at several tracks and the friendship has grown over the years.

With Macenko moving to the 500 Sprint Car Tour for the 2023 season, it left a potent Kenyon Midget seat unfilled. “My dad had an interest in the Kenyon Midgets and with the seat available my name came up,” Hollmeyer said.

He turned his first laps in a Kenyon Midget during a practice session at Anderson Speedway. “It was a pretty good time,” Hollmeyer said. “You psych yourself before the first time. But now that I've been in the car it felt good.”

Hollmeyer, 21, is a junior at Miami University studying Emerging Business Technology Design. He had been racing go karts for ten years on dirt ovals “Dirt is my grass roots,” Hollmeyer said of the upcoming season. “On a dirt track you have to keep the steering wheel straight, which is the same on pavement.

He is looking forward to racing at Circle City Speedway and Anderson Speedway. Hollmeyer has watched racing at Circle City and has attended the Lucas Oil Little 500 in the past at Anderson. “I've watched every YouTube video of Kenyon Midgets at Anderson,” Hollmeyer said. “My goal is to keep it off the wall, pass some cars and bring the car back clean.”

He said in the first laps he didn't feel comfortable in the car, but with more seat time will push the Kenyon Midget further in performance. “I was able to get the line,” Hollmeyer said of the racing groove at Anderson, “now I need the speed.”

He would like to have a career in racing, but added it could be long time passion. Like every driver or team owner a lot will depend on sponsorship support. “This was a good year to make the move because next year I should be able to put some of my own money into racing,” he said.