John Kamenick grew up in Jefferson, WI and started going to the races at Jefferson Speedway with his dad and brother every Saturday night in the mid-seventies.
At that time his sister Sheila started dating her now husband of twenty-four years Brian Frohmader. He was a mechanic at Lee Chevrolet in Jefferson, and they both worked as pit registrars at the track. It was through this connection that he started parking cars in 1982, and later that summer he started working in the concession stand on “the hill”. Kamenick testifies tt was a great job because he could watch the features from where he was working.
In 1984-1989 he and his dad worked the pit gate. Starting in 1988 he helped JoAnn Rottiger in scoring for the races after intermission.
1990 was a big change at Jefferson. The track was increased in size to a true quarter mile. A temporary scoring stand was built in the infield and Kamenick started working as Head Scorer/Race Director with a new flagman by the name of Doug Strasburg. Andy Vogel also started scoring at that time. Kamenick worked at Jefferson as head scorer/race director from 1990-2004, 2006,2007.
In 1996 Kamenick also started as head scorer/ Race Director at MIS a position which he still holds.
Kamenick figured out he was destined to be a scorer while filling in for Bill Baird at Slinger Speedway in 1996. Already nervous, the worse possible scenario, in Kamenick’s eyes, happened as there was a pile-up in turn one of the Super Late Model feature after the first lap was completed. He was able to get the cars sorted out with the help of the scoring staff, with no complaints from any drivers.
In 2005 the late Gary Vercaturan gave him a call and wanted to know if I could help him with scoring and race control at the Milwaukee Mile for the Mid-American and MARS series. Kamenick jumped at the opportunity. .
In 2006 Doug Strasburg called and wanted to know if Kamenick was willing to help out Mid-American. Once again he jumped at the opportunity. Currently, for the 2009 season my duties will include Race Director/assistant scorer and assistant tire inspector.
On the home front, John has a wife Jennifer of 5 years, and two daughters. Lillian is 3 and Amelia 18 months.
Kamenick’s brother, Randy, who is the announcer at Jefferson and Columbus is also a well known figure in Wisconsin short track racing. He is a fan favorite at these two tracks and John would like to invite everyone get to either of these places, if for nothing else, to listen to Randy as his comedy is something that is sure to put a smile on your face.
