Wichita: Kansan Spencer Martinez is coming along nicely as he navigates the ends and outs of racing a non winged sprint car in the Wholesale Batteries Midwest Wingless Racing Association this year.
Over the last 3 seasons competing in the Thunder Lightning division, the 2nd generation Mexican-American has only had 15 opportunities to race in non winged sprint cars total. But has really upped his learning curve in a big way over the first three MWRA events in 2022, finishing a career best 7th place in the series last Saturday at his hometown track 81 Speedway in Wichita, while currently sitting 9th place in the current standings.
This is a big leap overall for Martinez, who started in sprints by flipping spectacularly during his first time ever in one when he crashed on a practice night at 81 Speedway in 2020.
He wasn’t deterred after that first experience, and just 3 short weeks later debuted with the same car at 81 Speedway when the USAC MWRA came to town too face off with the USAC Oklahoma group in the first border war series event.
That first sprint car race for Martinez however wasn’t his first time in a racing vehicle by far, as he started his career in the sport at age 9 racing with his brother Skyler in Cage Karts bought and maintained by their father Raul. After a few years running in that division, the Karts were sold, and the money obtained from the sale went later to fund passenger cars for the boys when they attended high school.
By age 20 Spencer was getting the itch to race again, and teamed with Tony Peters to run Go Karts. Peters had been around racing his entire life. And came from a family that included his hall of fame brother Mike Peters, one of the top drivers in Kansas racing history.
With Tony Peters now part of the equation the duo would take the SKKS Karting Series title in 2011, which included winning 4 of the 10 races ran in the series that summer.
From 2012 until 2018 the Wichita racers which would also include Tony’s daughter Marisa behind the wheel would race Micros in multiple classes. And was highlighted by both drivers winning Jayhusker division championships during that time.
For Martinez his top season In micros was in 2014 winning 11 feature events, and division titles in the Jayhusker club that included Outlaw Winged and Outlaw Non Winged. While also winning 4 straight years at the Roy Cooley Memorial in Fairbury, Nebraska.
Over the seasons this unique partnership included both men owning their own race cars, but working on them at the same shop often, while running together across the Heartland. After the 2018 season Martinez would sale all of his micro stuff, and in 2019 Peters would do the same thing.
By 2020 both would join forces once again to race in non winged sprints. While Martinez continued on his tradition of racing with the number 6s. Originally used because his older brother raced with the number 7s. And now further enhanced with the racers motto, 6s equals “Success”.
So far the 6s race team has a career best finish in non winged sprints of 2nd place running with Elite North Series at North Platte, Nebraska previously. While last Saturdays 7th place finish at 81 Speedway was a big thrill for Martinez because it allowed several family members and friends see Spencer race in person. As well as continuing the dream of Martinez racing at the historic Wichita facility after he attended races there as a child.
The future is bright for Spencer Martinez as he continues to develop as a top notch driver in non winged sprint car competition. Though made difficult at times do to a full schedule at work, and the travel it takes to race his non winged sprint car on a regular basis.
Getting to this point in his career has been made possible by supporters that have included his father, brother, and Tony Peters among others. While sponsorship from the family business that includes partners his father, uncle, and two aunts “JR Custom Metals” where Spencer works as a Maintenance Tech, and sponsors Kansas & Oklahoma Machine Tool, along with All Metal Recycling have all been a big help to this Jayhawk state gunner.
Watch Spencer Martinez run this Sunday Night July 3rd at Electric City Speedway in Butler, Missouri. As he competes in race number 4 of the MWRA season. Along with many more top stars of this USAC Series.
Photos courtesy of John Lee High Fly'N Photos www.highfly-nphotos.com
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- administrator on Jul 01, 2022
- Article Date: 7/1/2022 by Ray Cunningham