After competing throughout the summer and into the fall of 2022, Alex Truscinski was named the national champion based on a point system. Points for all drivers throughout the nation were tallied and Alex’s score was on top!
During the season, he racked up 15 feature wins, 12 heat wins, two Olson Cup feature wins, and was crowned Olson Cup Memorial Champion. He also had four heat wins at the 2nd Annual Minn-Kota Lightning Sprints Summer Shootout and finished the four-day series as the 2nd Annual Minn-Kota Lightning Sprints Summer Shootout Points Champion. He was track champion at Greenbush Race Park, Buffalo River Speedway, and led the points at River Cities Speedway as well.
He finished in the top five in EVERY race (32) he started in 2022. Then to add the icing on top of the cake to one stellar season, Alex Truscinski earned the POWRi National Points Champion title among 60+ competitors from throughout the country vying for the title.
And for a little extra fun, excitement, and special memories, he did it with his father, Alan Truscinski hot on his tail! Alan claimed the runner-up title in national points behind Alex but couldn’t be happier or prouder. Alan’s season was very impressive also, claiming six feature wins and 21 top-five finishes in his 32 starts this season. He would claim two feature wins at the 2nd Annual Minn-Kota Lightning Sprint Summer Shootout. The Truscinskis were the only father-son duo in the POWRi series to finish onetwo.
Truscinski Racing, along with the other top five finishers in the National Lightning Sprint points, were invited to the POWRi Awards Banquet which was held at the Margaretville Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri, on January 21, 2023. Dexter Dvergsten of Greenbush was third, Kelsi Pederson of East Grand Forks fourth, and Chris Crowder of Colorado Springs finished out the top five. Alex’s previous season in 2021 was a battle to the bitter end to figure out his new motor package. Facing many disappointments in the process, he was able to end the season strong and was ready to jump head-first into the 2022 race season. With the new motor dialed in and learning from the previous season, he was off to a strong start, and he never let up. He was no stranger to Victory Lane as is obvious from his final stats. He has perfected his victory lane speech and can rattle off his sponsor thank yous with ease. His strength of character and drive is admirable, and you can tell what a positive role model he is from the younger race fans who stop by the trailer in the pits after each race – excited to meet the #10 driver and possibly get the chance to sit in his lightning sprint (which he loves to allow). Alex has had much success, but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t face some challenges and adversity throughout the season. With determination running through his veins, and support from his family, he was able to push forward and keep going week in and week out, sometimes participating in three or four races in one weekend.
Following the banquet, Alex enjoyed an interview with Amanda Enright, director of POWRi Minn-Kota Lightning Sprints. Here is an insight into Alex’s personal feelings from that interview: What were your goals going into the 2022 season?
My goals going into the 2022 season were to win 10 features (yes, I know it was a big goal but that’s the point in setting goals, right?), finish all the features I started, win the MKLS points championship, and win the National POWRi Lightning Sprint points championship. Luckily, I was able to reach all of my goals and am very happy about that.
How do you feel about your Championship season?
I feel my championship season was definitely one that I will never forget. When I hit my goal of 10 wins, I never thought it possible to win 15, but it happened! My season in general was very surreal, winning multiple points championships this year. I will never forget this season or the people that helped me have the season I was able to have!
How do you feel about not only winning the MKLS points Championship, but the POWRi National Points Championship as well?
I am ecstatic about winning both the MKLS and National Points Championships. I had it as a goal going into the season but always questioned whether it would be possible. I set pretty large goals for myself this year but worked my butt off to reach every single one. The season wasn’t a win just on the track but also off the track. I was once told that the National Points Championship was a fluke deal because of the amount of races our group (MKLS) has and the amount of cars that race in our group (both factors that help with the points race) but I actually believe that even if you took only the first half of my season I would still be a huge contender for that championship and that is something I feel I can pat myself on the back for. I wish I had the means to travel to California, Colorado, Missouri, and wherever else whenever I wanted but sadly I don’t. I still take both of these titles very seriously because of the class acts I race with and will never hang my head about a title I feel honored to have won. 2022 is and will always be one for the books!
What do you feel are your strengths as a driver?
My strengths as a driver are that I am able to keep very calm under pressure and read what is going to happen to a track every night. I also believe that one of my strengths is that even if I don’t hit my setup perfectly, I can still throttle my car correctly enough to stay up front and be competitive. Both of these things make any racer competitive, and I strive to better those things each and every night.
Looking back is there anything you would have done differently for the 2022 season?
There isn’t much I would do different about this year because of the amount of success I was able to have but one thing always rang true when I look back. I found that once my success continued through the summer, I started getting very hard on myself if I didn’t win or reach micro goals I set mentally for myself. I found I would get very angry with myself and be very upset for a couple of hours after some races. Looking back, I know that is pointless and know that one should stay as humble as possible even in their own mind or it can make a person someone they aren’t or don’t want to be. It’s a lesson that needed to be learned and I’m glad I can look back and reflect on that after a successful season.
What is it like racing against your dad?
Racing against my dad is both a headache and a blast. It can be a headache because we both want to win and sometimes, we get into some heated arguments in the shop. It’s a blast because racing as a family has always been the goal for our race team. If we can’t do it as a family, it’s hard to justify taking the weekend to do it alone. We always get asked what it’s like and I think the easiest answer is always just fun. Fun is such a simple explanation but so true. We will always be happy for one another and will always give each other a hard time but at the end of the day we both race each other hard, and we both race each other clean. Luckily, we are both very competitive and I’m happy I can say that it’s not just one of us or the other.
What was your favorite or biggest win for the 2022 season?
My favorite win of the year was probably the Olson Cup on both nights of racing. The meaning behind both of those races makes them very special races to win and I’m honored to be able to put my name on the Olson Cup Trophy. My biggest win isn’t 1 win but actually 3 from the same weekend. I don’t believe I have ever won all 3 races in one weekend but luckily, I was able to win at River Cities on Friday, Greenbush Race Park on Saturday (Olson Cup), and Buffalo River Speedway on Sunday (Olson Cup). That is one thing I’ve always wanted to do in a season of racing and luckily I was able to this summer. That’s why I consider it my biggest “win” of the season.
Do you feel you reached all your preseason goals?
I am very pleased to say I reached all of my preseason goals. I feel I set pretty high goals for myself so being able to reach them all was very relieving and puts a smile on my face.
What is a message you would like to give to your crew and sponsors?
I have so many thanks to give to my Dad. He really is the backbone of this team and takes a lot of time out of his week to make sure not only is his car ready but mine is also. I do a lot of maintenance on my own car but this summer I was very busy between my full-time job and trying to start a screen-printing and graphic design business. Having my dad there to do things like change my oil, put new tires on rims, look into fueling issues, and so much more really gives me peace of mind going into each weekend of racing and I will forever be grateful for him and the time he puts into our racing program. My sister always giving me our trusted handshake before every race might be something so small and simple but it puts a smile on my face and always clears my mind before going out on the track! I also have to thank my mom for being the biggest supporter I have on and off the track. Her love really shows through on hard nights of racing and long weekends where I and dad know she could be doing something she wants to but instead supports her husband and son. My mom is a rock star and a big one at that. Not everyone gets to see it but everyone should know it. And last but definitely not least I need to thank my sponsor Altoz. They have supported me and my racing for the last 6 years and it is a pleasure to have their name and branding all over my car. I couldn’t be happier to carry their name. If you are looking for a really awesome mower that is made in USA, they are top of the line and will definitely not disappoint! Please check them out.
What does your 2023 race season look like for you?
The 2023 season is up for discussion and not for bad reasons. You will definitely see me in a lightning sprint throughout the summer. That being said I’m really hoping to be able to expand on my racing career and hopefully hop in some other rides if something were to come my way. I think being a race car driver is more than just sitting in one class and continuing to be successful without expanding your portfolio in other means of racing whether it’s another class or just being a mentor to the younger generation. I really strive to be a role model for the kids that race and hope they can look to me for advice and look at me as a peer with an open book. After having as successful of a season as I did, I have reached a lot of goals in the lightning sprint class, and I look to hopefully expand my portfolio and be a mentor for some youth getting into racing.
Final words from the 2022 Minn-Kota Lightning Sprints and POWRi National Points Champion, Alex Truscinski: I just want to thank all of the fans, competitors, and family who make racing what it is. The 2022 season would have never been as enjoyable without all of you surrounding me and I can’t thank you enough for that!
