Brad Staples was looking to get into racing a few years ago. One night, a talk with late model driver Dustin Bluhm provided some direction.
“Dustin Bluhm moved to Herman; me and him were in the bar one night talking about race cars,” Staples said. “I told him I was going to look at a streeter, and he said what the hell would you do that for, get a limited late model.”
So that’s what the now 25-year-old from Herman did, buying a Limited Late Model. Now in his fourth season, he has 12 career wins, including two this season — one at Madison on June 12 and another at I-94 Sure Step Speedway on June 18. Wins aren’t easy in the Limited Late Models as the competition has gotten better.
“It’s getting a lot tougher,” Staples said. “The first couple of years, you had a chance very night. Now there’s a lot of tough guys. Everybody’s getting fast, everybody’s pretty competitive, wherever you go.
Staples grew up helping some local drivers, and there was a successful driver right from his hometown he followed — modified driver Scot Danzeisen, who is a 10-time modified champion at Viking and four-time super stock champion. He is slated to go into the Viking Hall of Fame this summer.
“Scot Danzeisen is from Herman, I always grew up watching him,” Staples said.
It didn’t take Staples long to get a win — he won at Viking Speedway on July 14, 2018 during his first season behind the wheel.
“I didn’t think it was real,” Staples said. “When I crossed the finish line I could have sworn there were people in front of me.”
The Limited Late Model class was new to the area a few years ago. For many, there was a learning curve for everyone.
“Setup on the car — not being around a late model before, learning how to set it up is the biggest thing . Dustin was a huge help with that,” Staples said. “And learning how to drive it.”
He’s having a good year in 2021, with two feature wins and six top five finishes in 11 starts. He missed the first few nights at I-94 Sure Step Speedway so the point title is out of reach there; however he is in a three-way tie at Madison with Brady Mellendorf and Tony Croninger.
“I’d like to be track champion somewhere, either I-94 or Madison. We missed first two nights at I-94, so we’re hoping for Madison still,” Staples said. “We’re hoping to get a big win somewhere, something that’s a big accomplishment.”
Driver Profile
Brad Staples
Limited Late Model #10
Residence: Herman, Minn.
Age: 25
Sponsors: Lampert Farms, Ryan Kellen 54K Trucking, Mathias Grain Farms, AJ’s Gas and Grocery, Dave and Katie Blume Farms, Smith Motors, Jolt Electric, Erickson Farms, Kibble Equipment, Wagner Diesel, Backman Seeds, Amy Dallum Photography, Kemper Properties, Lakeside Seed and Insurance, Bertram and Sons, B&C Oachs Ranch.
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