Luepke back at speedway, fairgrounds

Visitors can expect to see a familiar face back at the Shawano Speedway and Shawano County Fairgrounds.

Brad Luepke, who left the marketing and promotions manager position in February, has stepped back into the role. When Luepke left in February, he was replaced by Karly Curtin, who then left the position in June.

“About a month before the fair, I got a call from one of the board members — just sort of asking if I was interested in coming back — I was helping behind the scenes already, running the LED board and social media,” said Luepke. “We had talks over the next month or so and the week before the fair, we decided that everything lined up and it was a good fit — so it was a done deal.”

Luepke said that part of the reason for returning to the marketing and promotions role was to continue to challenge himself with his work.

“I like to be challenged,” said Luepke. “To have a mundane job got a little bit boring and I just like to be challenged. I also like the people — the racing community is the best that there is and the people that I deal with are very good.”

Taking some time away from the speedway and fairgrounds, Luepke said that he now feels rejuvenated and ready to get back.

“I felt that I could take a different path, where I wouldn’t burn out so much,” said Luepke. “I sat down with my wife and kids and we all agreed that this would be the best move.”

In his behind-the-scenes position last year, Luepke said that he was able to see different ways to accomplish goals that he didn’t get to when he was originally there.

“I really wanted to do a preseason car show and we have that scheduled,” said Luepke. “I want to get people hyped up for the racing season. This was one thing that was at the top of my plate and when I got the job, the next morning I got that booked.”

In terms of duties in his position, Luepke said that he is not expecting anything to be different.

“It is almost the same job that I had before,” said Luepke. “The duties include getting sponsors for the races and fair, handling all of the vendors and camping, I lay out all of the grounds at the fair — pretty much everything at the fair, other than the stands and barns. That is an undertaking in itself. For racing, I promote and market them, I come up with all of the promotions that we do and I try to promote our product everywhere.”

With his previous experience at the speedway and fairgrounds, Luepke said that he his excited to be back.

“Once I sat down and took it all in, I was ready to go,” said Luepke. “I want to move this forward — I grew up at this racetrack and this fair — it is more than just a job to me, it is a passion and I want to move it forward.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com