Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
BRAD LUEPKE
After three years in the pits and on the midway, Brad Luepke has stepped down as chief promoter of the Shawano Speedway and Shawano County Fair.
Luepke announced to Shawano Speedway supporters via social media that he was calling it quits after the racing and county fair season ended last month.
His last day on the job was Friday.
“It was a great three years, and we accomplished great things,” he wrote on social media. “I’ve learned a lot about dedication and commitment and what it takes to succeed.”
Luepke declined to comment further.
Dale Hodkiewicz, president of the Shawano Area Agricultural Society, had high praise for Luepke’s work as the marketing and promotions manager for the speedway and county fair — two separate attractions that draw big crowds to the county fairgrounds.
“He did a fine job,” Hodkiewicz said.
The private agricultural society manages the county-owned fairgrounds and oversees both the summer-long stock car racing season and the end-of-summer extravaganza that is the county fair.
Hodkiewicz said officials have plenty of time to fill the staff vacancy during the upcoming off-season. The position requires someone with strong people skills, he said.
“It’s a people job,” he added.
Before joining the agricultural society, Luepke worked as an advertising representative for Wolf River Media LLC, parent company of The Shawano Leader.
Colleagues in the racing industry said Luepke was an energetic and creative promoter for the Shawano racetrack.
Eric Mahlik, promoter of Luxemburg Speedway near Green Bay, pointed to Luepke’s use of video and the internet for promoting racing events and drawing crowds.
“He really was quite the innovator,” Mahlik said. “Some of the creative things he did were just really awesome.”
Even competing track promoters applauded Luepke’s work in Shawano.
Dan Ratajczak, owner of 141 Speedway in Manitowoc County, said the two of them consulted often, sometimes referring drivers or fans to each other’s track. The competition was always friendly, Ratajczak said, and it never became more important than the shared commitment to promoting racing overall.
“Brad was really good to work with,” Ratajczak said. “He was very, very easy to work with.”