For Brad Lorentz, 2026 a season of ups and downs

Racing is a sport full of highs and lows. Brad Lorentz of Eagle Bend has seen both this season in his #36 Wissota Street Stock.

The high for Lorentz came with the solid season he was putting together at Viking Speedway in Alexandria. Entering the Aug. 8 racing program, he was leading the points at Viking and in a close points race with J.J. Nieuwbeerta of Alexandria. He had recorded three top five finishes and nine top 10s in 10 feature starts and been a steady runner all summer at Viking.

Then the season suddenly came to a halt for the 53-year-old.

He rolled his #36 Wissota Street Stock in turn four in the Aug. 8 feature and then got struck by another car, heavily damaging his machine. He suffered a broken back in the crash, ending his season prematurely.

“Disappointing,” Lorentz said. “I felt like I was getting better every week.”

Despite missing the final two points nights after the rollover, Lorentz finished third in the standings behind champion J.J. Nieuwbeerta and runner-up Joe Martin. Up until the rollover, Lorentz seemed to have a good handle on his car.

“Really good,” Lorentz said on Aug. 8, prior to the crash. “Got a new car at the beginning of the year and came out pretty good. The car responds well to changes and I still get the feel for it.”

Lorentz’s racing career dates to the 1990s when he raced in the Pure Stocks at Viking. His interest in racing started as a result of his father, Jerry, who raced at Viking many years ago. In fact, Jerry won the track championship in the street stocks at Viking in 1980.

“My dad raced here in the early 80s. If gets in your blood,” Lorentz said.

Brad took time off from racing to focus on his kids’ sports and activities. But the racing bug bit again prior to 2021.

“The kids were grown up, things were paid for, I figured I could have a little fun and try it again one more time, instead of wishing I would have,” Lorentz said. “I’m glad I did.”

He raced four times in 2021 and six times in 2022 (according to myracepass),  The 2023 season was his best since he was return when he had one top five and seven top 10s in 11 starts,  On July 22, 2023, he picked up a feature win at Viking, more than 30 years after his career begin at the half-mile.

“That was awesome. It was kind of unexpected,” Lorentz said. “It’s a tough class. There’s some dang good guys. The competition level and the equipment and technology is unbelievable. I’m happy to finish up in the top five.”

Lorentz admits he loves racing, and as he put it, “the connection with all the guys.”  But after the Aug. 8 crash and suffering a broken back, he says he will retire from driving for good. It was not an easy decision.

“I’m just grateful to my friends and family that helped me and the new friends that I’ve made because of racing,” Lorentz said. “It definitely will be hard to quit because racing has been a huge part of my life.”

Driver profile

Brad Lorentz

Wissota Street Stock #36

Age: 53

Residence: Eagle Bend, Minn.

Sponsors: Jerry’s Auto Body, Eagle Bend Welding, Long Branch Saloon, KRS Repair, Berg Electric, Blue Rock Refinishing Solutions