I-94 Speedway, Inc

6/30/2026

WISSOTA

Driver Spotlight-Dawson Oelrich

Our next driver in the WISSOTA Driver Spotlight series is Dawson Oelrich. Behind the wheel of a WISSOTA Mod Four, Dawson is in his fourth season of racing. The 2025 National Rookie of The Year calls Bemidji, Minnesota home.

Photo by Lisa Rhen

What is your home track?
Bemidji Speedway

What’s been your most memorable race or win so far?
It’s a toss up between going 12th to 3rd in Buffalo River in 2023 or my first WISSOTA win in 2025!

What’s one lesson racing has taught you that applies to life?
Keep your composure, if you get too bent out of shape it will end up hurting you in the long run.

What’s your pre-race ritual or superstition?
Nothing other than calling my mom to tell her to grab something that I forgot.

What’s your favorite non-racing hobby?
I enjoy hanging out with my friends!

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you race and why?
Modified! Because open wheels are on top..

One fun fact about you that fans would be surprised to know?
*My mustache is better than Devin Fouquette’s *

What is your favorite race track food?
Chicken IYKYK

What is the story behind your car number?
I was born on the 4th day of the 4th month and it was my number all throughout sports

What’s the biggest misconception people have about racing?
Races are won in the garage more than they are on the track

What was the biggest misconception you had about racing before you started?
It’s NOT as easy as it looks!

What advice would you give to a new driver just starting out?
Everyone will tell you that the more seat time the better, which is true, but ALWAYS have an open ear and be willing to listen to those willing to help.

What WISSOTA event do you most want to win?
King of The Dirt

What’s one thing you wish every fan understood about drivers?
We are human too, we WILL make mistakes

Please tell us your favorite racing story?
In 2022 my rookie year in my Mini Stock I lead 8/12 laps of the feature on the first night of the Labor Day special, a caution came out and my car stalled on the front stretch under red flag conditions and would not re-fire. The track workers allowed me to go back to the pit while waiting for the helicopter to land. (It was a bad red flag condition) We figured out I might have been out of fuel so we topped it off and went back out where our pole position was waiting for us. I led 2 more laps one of them being QUICK TIMEEEEE. Then the car died again and it turns out my fuel pump was going out so I ended up 15th (DNF). We had a hell of a time up front though!

Follow Dawson 's racing program by becoming a fan of his racing Facebook page today Ole Racing

With over 2,500 licensed WISSOTA drivers, there are countless stories we want to help tell. To participate in the Driver Spotlight series simply visit the WISSOTA Driver Dashboard and click on WISSOTA Driver Profile to fill out the questionnaire

Submitted By: Jacy Norgaard

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