Romuld Aims for Continued Growth in Wissota Midwest Modifieds

It has been said that seat time is one of the best ways for a young driver to grow in racing. MaKenna Romuld got plenty of as a Wissota Midwest Modified rookie in 2024.

The Grand Forks teenager raced 37 times in her first season in the class.  She raced at seven different tracks in the region, including her home track at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks.

“I learned a lot,” Romuld said.  ““Definitely patience and confidence. If one bad night happens, you need to forget about it and go onto the next night.”

With the learning also came a taste of success for Romuld – she had three top five finishes, with a best finish of third at Buffalo River Speedway on Aug. 25. On a bigger scale, she was named the Wissota Midwest Modified National Rookie of the Year, which she described as “waiting to wake up from a dream that I haven’t been woken up from yet.”

Racing has been a part of her life since she was five years old.

“I started go-karts when I was five,” Romuld said. “I did it for 10 years, and we decided we wanted to make a new jump, here we are.”

Going from the go-karts to a 2,000-pound plus race car is a big leap, but it is something Romuld’s stepfather and crew chief, Joe Breidenbach and the team decided to tackle for 2024.

“It was pretty exciting. I was ready to move on. It was 10 years in the go-karts,” Romuld said. “We needed the jump. With Jory Berg and all of the people that help us, it was a good community to come into.”

There was a lot to learn during her rookie season for the now 16-year-old Romuld, who wrapped up her sophomore year at Grand Forks Red River High School this spring.

“The biggest learning curve in these cars was how to control my throttle, and just the handling,” Romuld said.

Jory Berg has been a consistent competitor in the Wissota Midwest Modified class at River Cities for several years, most recently winning the 2023 track championship at the 3/10-mile oval.  He has helped Breidenbach and Romuld as they have learned the ropes in the Midwest modified class, serving as a mentor of sorts.

“She isn't focused on anything other than driving for her team and having success. She fixes her own car and works on it day in and day out on the road or at home,” Berg said. “If I had to sum up Kenna, she's a good kid who loves racing and isn't afraid to listen, learn, and has the drive to help herself and her team achieve success.”

“The community is really nice,” Romuld said. “It’s super welcoming, and they help you out a lot. Jory Berg, he just helps a ton.”

This season, she already has three top five finishes – matching her total from the 2024 season in eight starts. She finished a season-best fourth at Greenbush Race Park on May 24. She is driving a 2021 Millenium Chassis previously owned by Berg.

“So far it’s been a huge learning curve,” Romuld said. “This is Jory’s old one. It is definitely newer and you have to use the pedal more.”

She does have a goal in mind for 2025.

“Hopefully a feature win,” Romuld said. “That would be nice. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Driver profile

MaKenna Romuld

Wissota Midwest Modified #15

Age: 16

Residence: Grand Forks, N.D.

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