15 Year Old Okrzesick Ready for Super Debut at MIS

Connor Okrzesick is ready to mix it up with the big boys in the 95 KSJ 95 on Saturday night at MIS but with only 15 year old learners permit he’ll still have to catch a ride to the track.

 

For those unfamiliar with the current state of Motorsports the average age for youngsters to get started in racing has dropped in to the single digits, for Connor Okrzesick that single digit was 4. A Go-Kart on dirt in Mississippi will forever be logged in as Okrzesicks first time driving a race car.

 

Connor’s memory is a little fuzzy on his first start but his first win is still crystal clear. “I was 5, racing in Gulfport, I was wearing a 14 jersey and driving the 20 car for Tony Stewart. I switched my car number to 14 when Tony did.”

 

Okrzesick and Stewart have a lot in common on the race track, an early start, early success and a Dad that is their biggest supporter.

 

“There are a lot of people who help but my Dad is my driving force, I couldn’t do it without him.” Dad is Wayne Okrzesick, he and his wife Debbie are the owners of Sunny South Raceway in Grand Bay, Alabama, the hot bed for young guns from around the Southeast looking to make a name for themselves.

 

NASCAR car drivers Cale Gale and Grant Enfinger were regulars at SSR growing up and ARCA Driver Thomas Praytor is a former Champion. Connor’s resume includes multiple track Championships from Sunny South Raceway and 5 Alabama State Titles.

 

If he’s not on the track at Sunny South Raceway, Connor can be found working in the family business, preparing the track, taking tickets anything but the concession stand. “They don’t let me in the concession stand much, something about making messes.”

 

As Okrzesick has climbed the racing ladder, success has come in every type vehicle, Go-Kart, Bandolero, Legend, Pro-Challenge, Sportsman, Pro-Late Model and now the move to a Super Late Model.

With a guiding hand from former NASCAR Driver Mike Garvey, Okrzesick with his family and friends crew lead by Michael Beasley, made the rare double in their first attempt, the Snowflake and the Snowball Derby in 2016.

 

“For us, making the show was big, we really didn’t have the results we wanted but I think we sent a message that we can compete.”

 

In 2017 Okrzerick and his home grown team have decided to take on the entire Southern Super Series Schedule. The team has already competed in the Rattler at Opp, the North-South Shootout at Nashville and is gearing up for the Gulf Coast Double header April 28^th and 29^th in Pensacola and Mobile.

 

“We’ve gotten off to a slow start for us but the level of competition in the Southern Super Series is pretty tough.” Tough indeed, after the Pensacola/Mobile double header the next race is at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

For the first time in his Super Late Model career Okzerick will have home field advantage at Mobile International Speedway. “We have a lot of laps around Mobile in other cars and we have been testing with the Super and we feel good about our chances. Plus I’m looking forward to racing in front of my home town fans.”

 

The Southern Super Series race on April 29^th will be the first race of the 2017 season and the Mobile fans are ready for racing. “Fan interest for this race is equal to an ARCA or NASCAR event,” said owner Ida Fields.

 

“Our fans are some of the best in the world.”

 

Speaking of the best, young Okrzerick will be lining up against some of the best Super Late Model drivers around, Grill, Pollard, Smith, Majeski, Nasse, and Garret Jones are all regulars on the tour and that’s just the way Okzrecik likes it.

 

“In order to get better you have to race against the best and the Southern Super Series is loaded with talent. Every race we get better just by turning laps with these guys.”

Okrzerick’s favorite driver, Tony Stewart was once asked what he did outside of racing, “I am a racer. I’m not a race car driver. I am a racer. I race. That’s what I do”. For Okrzerick he’s been doing it and doing it very well, since he was 4.

 

The high powered Super line up is the headliner of a big night of racing at MIS on

 

Saturday including heat and feature races for the Pro Trucks, Sportsman and Pure Stocks. Grandstand pricing is $15, $12 Seniors & Military Kids 6-11 $5 and under 5 free, racing will begin at 7:00.