Tony Konold made the jump into the Wissota Modified class in 2020, and has zero regrets about it.
“Moving to A mod was the best thing I ever did. I have fun every night whether it’s a DNF or a win,” Konold said. “It was getting to where in a B mod where if I didn’t win I wasn’t having fun. It was either quit or move up.”
He’s compiled six modified feature wins during that time and has recorded 58 top five finishes during that time. He races regularly at Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen, Casino Speedway in Watertown and Madison (MN) Speedway.
Konold plans to be at the Moonshine Mod Tour events at Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen on Friday and at Casino Speedway in Watertown on Saturday.
The 34-year-old electrician from Clear Lake, S.D., is in his 20th year of racing and comes from a racing family. That started with his dad, Kevin, who raced in the street stock, sportsman, late model and modified classes in his career. His sister, Maria Broksieck, is a top runner in the Wissota Street Stocks in eastern South Dakota and has recorded seven career point championships.
“Our whole family does it,” Konold said. “My brother used to race, my dad raced when he was younger…that’s how we got into it. That’s all our family knows is racing. I met my wife at the races. That’s just what we do.”
Tony Konold didn’t get his start in an entry-level class – he jumped right into a 360 sprint car during his first season, racing at what is now I-90 Speedway in Hartford, S.D.
“That was the only class my dad hadn’t driven, and wanted to,” Konold said.
Since, Tony Konold has raced in the pure stocks, street stocks, Wissota Midwest Modifieds for a decade before moving into the modifieds in 2020.
Konold had a good deal of success in the Wissota Midwest Modified class. He was the national Rookie of the Year in the class in 2010.
From 2017 to 19 he had 16 feature wins in the Wissota Midwest Modified class. He was eighth in national points in 2018 (eight wins) and ninth in 2019 (five wins).
“I’ve ran for national points a few times,” Konold said.
Last year he was 15th in the national points with 18 top five finishes in 41 starts.
“They are harder to drive, but they are easier to drive in a sense,” Konold said of the modifieds. “You can get yourself out of trouble with the power; you can always get yourself into trouble with all the power. It’s been a good adjustment.”
He has six top fives in 10 starts this season with a pair of runner-up finishes. He’s aiming for some trips to victory lane this summer.
“Just get a couple of wins, and be consistent, and just have fun,” Konold said.
Driver Profile
Tony Konold
Wissota Modified #15
Age: 34
Residence: Clear Lake, S.D.
Sponsors: Abg Ag, Hair and Company – Ann Kolb¸Dirty Tees, Konold Electric, Ken’s Lucky Slots, Konold Farm, LCS Trucking, Just 1 More Casino, Tail Feathers, Broksieck Farms, Bert by Craig, Triangle Cattle, Dakota Supply Group, PC Ag, Young Door Service
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