Championship Off-Road | The Inside Line: Joey Maciosek

The 2023 Super Stock Truck race season lived up to its reputation as one of the most competitive classes in short-course racing. Joey Maciosek won the season's final race and garnered enough points to win his second Champ Off-Road Super Stock Championship of his career. Heading into the final weekend of Sportsman racing, four drivers still had a chance to win the championship. All four drivers secured a win during the season, and with the competition being so close, there needed to be more room for error. During the Friday round of racing, Maciosek fought hard for a second-place finish and followed it up with a victory on World Championship Saturday. That was enough to win his second Super Stock Championship in four years. "Our class consistently has the largest truck field every time we race," noted Joey Maciosek. "When I first started racing, there were only three or four top runners, and then there was everybody else. Now, eight to ten guys can win, and the competition is really tough. Winning the championship begins at the shop, in the pits and on the track. My family and a small group of friends make this possible. I can't thank them enough for getting us to the Championship." In 2023, twenty-five drivers competed in the Super Stock class, with fifteen participating in every race weekend. Eight drivers reached the podium, and four secured the top spot. Even though Joey Maciosek might be considered a "young gun" in the class, the young man from Muskego, Wisconsin, is a seasoned veteran. His Super Stock Truck career began in 2014 at 15, taking over from his dad, who retired from driving after a successful racing career. Maciosek commented, "When I was younger, I did some motocross, but I also wanted to go truck racing. My dad competed in Tough Truck competitions and short-course races with his Formula 4x4 and later in Super Stock Truck, and I was always there with him. He had me working on the trucks, and one day, he said, 'It's your time to drive.' I haven't stopped since." The early years of racing the family Super Stock Truck gave Joey a taste of the highs and lows of short-course off-road racing. However, he kept at it thanks to encouragement from his dad, Larry. Podium finishes were happening more often, and along came a few wins. Then, in 2021, the second season of the AMSOIL Championship Off-Road Tour, the season came together for the team to win the Championship with nine podium finishes, including two wins. Then, last season, the Muskego Crane Service Yokohama Tire Ford Super Stock truck grabbed its second Championship with eight podiums, including three wins. The thrilling victory in the final race marked Joey's first Crandon Off-Road World Champion title, adding a second World Champion ring to the family. Larry Maciosek achieved this honor while competing in the Formula 4x4 division. The bond between Joey and his dad is a common sight in the pit area of the Champion Off-Road event. Like other Sportsman and Pro teams, they work together during the day in the family business and spend evenings working together in the shop. Mom and sister support the team on race weekends. In addition, two longtime friends, Brian and Zach, have become essential crew members.

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