Like many in racing, seat time has made a big difference in Jarod Klein’s development as a race car driver.
The resident of Wimbledon, N.D., is in his third year in the Wissota Midwest Modified class. Although Klein has had some tough luck lately, he is having the best season of his career with three feature wins – one each at Sheyenne Speedway, one at Miller Central Speedway and one at Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen.
Armed with a new MB Customs Chassis, and a growing confidence, Klein has made big strides in 2023.
“That made a ton of difference; it builds more confidence, being able to drive the car a lot harder,” Klein said. “I’m a lot more confident in the car.”
The 24-year-old is tied for second in the points on the Rebel Midwest Mod Tour, which resumes Friday at I-94 EMR Speedway in Fergus Falls. He’s also second in the points at Sheyenne Speedway in Lisbon, only 14 points behind leader Nate Reinke.
He’s had help from a pair of drivers, including his cousin, Randy Klein and Jason Grimes, who’ve provided
“When I got this new car, it’s been a lot better,” Klein said. “I’ve had some help and learned a lot more.”
Klein raced dirt bikes originally, but being a fan weekly at Jamestown fueled his interest in stock-car racing. He hopped into a Bomber in 2019.
“I started racing dirt bikes, and I was getting a little tired of that,” Klein said. “I used to go every night in Jamestown to watch. I just decided to go from the dirt bikes to get into a race car.”
He remembers his first night in the Bomber well.
“I led pretty much the whole race, the last corner I slowed down too much, and I ended up getting bumped and crossing the line third,” Klein said.
He had two feature wins in the Bomber class. But with having his eyes on eventually driving an A mod, Klein decided it was time to move into the Midwest modified class.
“I knew modifieds were kind of what I wanted,” Klein said. “I didn’t feel like staying in the bombers.”
The first two years in the Midwest modified class were an adjustment. He only had one top five in 2021, and improved to four in 31 starts in 2022.
“They drive totally different,” Klein said. “I feel like a Bomber is more like your everyday car; a B mod, you drive a lot more with the brakes and there’s a lot of adjustments to make. The last two years, in an older car, I was getting the hang of things.”
This season, he has gotten the hang of things, and it has him doing well in the point standings at Sheyenne and on the Rebel Tour. Friday will be at I-94 EMR Speedway with the finale Saturday at Jamestown.
“I just hope to have a good clean race,” Klein said. “I’ve had a (few) bad races and been struggling. (Saturday) night I had motor problems. I’m hoping to get those figured out, draw good and get a good starting spot for the feature.”
Now in his fifth year of racing, he’s loving his time in the sport.
“The thrill of it – and I love working on my car,” Klein said. “Learning, watching, and just driving them.”
Driver Profile
Jarod Klein
Wissota Midwest Modified #77
Age: 24
Residence: Wimbledon, N.D.
Sponsors: Klein’s Collision, West End Hide and Fur, Heartland Heating and Cooling, Scott’s Electric, Spiritwood Resort, Browning Honey, Dale’s Auto Mall, Country Side RV, RJ’s Plumbing, Larry’s Auto Glass, Fort Bar and Grill, Aligned AG, Johnston Insurance, Dakota Engines, Bottles and Jugs, Grandpa and Grandma, Mom and Dad
Thanks to pit crew: Lane Wells, Scotty Soulis and Neal Klein
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