Following in his family’s footsteps, Kody Machart has been sliding around dirt tracks since he was four. With a villainous paint scheme and a lucky number 7, Kody hopes to one day make it to the World of Outlaws, but for now enjoys his time racing Legends, and the community of people that comes with it.
Hometown: Moorhead, MN
Division: Semi-Pro
Number: 7
1. How did you get into racing?
Both of my uncles raced Legend Cars before I was born, and my cousins raced Go-Karts and Legend Cars. When they quit racing, I was around four years old, and my uncle asked if I wanted to race their old Go-Karts. Once I got too old for them, he helped me get into a Legend Car. He still had one around from when my cousins raced, so I used that one my first year racing.
2. What has been your favorite racing memory?
My first win was pretty cool because my whole family was there as well as my girlfriend’s family. They all got to come out and see me win which was a really special memory.
3. Do you have a favorite track?
Buffalo River Speedway is my favorite track. It’s a very technical track which makes it interesting, and I also love a short track. They are just fun, with good and tight racing.
4. Who is your role model or someone you look up to in racing?
Either of my uncles are big role models. They were both pretty successful in their racing careers, and I want to be able to be as good or better than they were. They have taught me a lot, and I am very grateful. One of them, Chad, lives nearby, so he’ll come down and watch me race every once in a while.
5. Do you have any ultimate racing goals?
I definitely want to do it for the rest of my life, or as long as I can. I’ve always thought World of Outlaws would be pretty cool as well, driving either a Late Model or Sprint Car. So, I guess that would be the big goal, but we will see how it goes and I love what I’m doing now.
6. How did the Joker theme paint scheme come to be?
During the off-season last year, I was sitting around and kind of wanted a change of pace from the blue car I had been driving. There were three of four other cars that started racing with the same paint scheme I had, so I knew I wanted a change. I had just watched The Joker movie, and it seemed like that would be a cool idea for my car. So, I talked to my graphics guy, he made some designs and put it all together. It’s very unique which is perfect because I wanted something that would stand out.
7. What’s the best part about dirt racing?
The people. I have met a lot of friends through racing. Everyone up here is super nice and helpful in the community. You are just always around good people.
8. Do you have any hobbies outside of racing?
I love working on cars. I know that’s pretty close to racing, but it’s all I do in my spare time. I work at a shop, and we work on transmissions. I’ve gotten to work on police cars and all types of things. I really enjoy it. It’s been cool having this job too because it makes working on your race car so much easier. Race cars are really simple compared to everything else, so my experience in this job has been a huge help for me.
9. How do you get focused or in the zone before a race?
Usually when I’m sitting in the staging are, I like to say a prayer. I just ask that God looks out for everyone keeps everyone safe and fast. Other than that, there isn’t anything specific. I just talk with my buddies and have a good time.
10. What is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned from racing?
Patience is definitely the biggest thing I’ve learned. When I’m racing, I try to have a good bit of patience and not get into a bad spot. You have to wait for an opening or opportunity or else you risk a big wreck. It’s kind of like life too. You have to be patient and your time will come.
11. Is there a significance to the number 7?
Well, I was born on February 7th, so it partially comes from that. Also, my cousins both raced with the number seven, so it just worked out well. I just kept it in the family that way and it’s kind of become a lucky number.
12. How do you adjust your driving style to fit the type of dirt track?
There really isn’t a ton of change. If you are racing on red clay like nationals, you just have to send it in the corner a lot harder and get the car going sideways. But on slick tracks like up here, you have to sort of ease it into the corner and let it glide through. You can’t push it as hard or you’ll spin out.
13. What is it like to race in an area that is so competitive? Where every point is the difference in a national championship?
It’s really exciting getting in the car every night knowing it’s going to be a hard race. The competition is tight, you are battling for the win every time, and I like that. Then after the race, no one is mean to each other or anything, and you talk about the race. It’s really nice to have some good competition and it helps you get better too. It’s also fun going to nationals because you know we are all going to be up front.