Brian Mady Doesn’t Take Anything For Granted
Column By: EDWARD KOCHERSBERGER / RPW – DINGMANS FERRY, PA – I have learned a great deal about motorsports communities over the years. Owners, drivers, and fans have their own tendencies and personalities. You see things from all of these categories that you cannot find anywhere else. Whether it is another sport, social structure, or public community. The stories and personalities you find in racing are truly unique.
A driver must find qualities within him or herself that can survive the demands of enormous pressure and competition. You need perseverance, resilience, and a combination of other soft skills to be a successful driver.
One of the more necessary traits to withstand combat on the dirt track is personal courage. Dingmans Ferry Pennsylvania’s Brian Mady is a dirt Sportsman competitor that has shown personal courage over the years in the race car. He has also faced challenges outside of the driver’s seat that have been severe enough to threaten his life. The galvanized mindset, courage, and determination can be noted as some of the best in our society.
“I don’t talk about it all the time. A week ago was my six-year anniversary of being cancer free. I battled and sat out of the cockpit. I wasn’t racing for probably a year and a half or two years.”
Brian fought and recovered from the battle of his life in swift business fashion. He got back in the driver’s seat quite efficiently. It was almost like he never left the car. He picked up right where he left off when he was diagnosed with cancer.
“We ran Thunder Mountain full time last year. That was my third year in Crate Sportsman. My first year I ran we got Rookie of the Year and second in points. The second year I got second in points. I was really getting tired of second. This year I wanted to break that second- place streak. We were able to get the championship at Thunder Mountain. That was amazing. We won the Wade Decker Memorial. That was probably one of the high points of my racing career so far. We just set our sights even higher to win other championships.”
Brian has accomplished a lot in his career. Just like most drivers, he has his preferred tracks. He also prioritizes what he enjoys about the sport and time with his family.
“My favorite track of all time is Thunder Mountain. The Spoonhowers are amazing. I am excited about Penn Can. The new owner, Doug Borger, is going to do a good job. The main reason for switching is I wanted to spend more time with my family. We race hard. We are in the garage all week. I gotta keep my wife happy or I won’t be doing anything. She is always there for me.”
Brian got his start in racing at a fairly young age as a crew member. He had a respectful career path to work his way up.
“I started pit crewing when I was eleven years old at Orange County Fair Speedway for a Modified driver named Rick Hill. My stepdad got involved in a Modified at Orange County. That is kind of where things got rolling. He got me introduced to the sport. He wound up passing away of brain cancer, which was unfortunate. You gotta kind of roll with the punches I guess.”
Brian finally was able to climb in the driver’s seat when the Xcel 600 Modified opportunity came along.
“We met Doug Borger with the 600 Modifieds. My brother and I ran those for ten years. We both won championships and we won all of the big races. It was just time for us to move on. It was time for us to move up into the bigger cars. It has worked out pretty well from the start. Hopefully it keeps going in that direction. We are doing really well. We work really hard. We are in the shop every night of the week until ten o’clock at night. You have to put in the work to be fast.”
Brian is looking for a very successful 2017 season.
“A championship is my goal. I have to win a championship. I am kind of a perfectionist. Anything less than a championship may be upsetting for me.”
Brian Mady would like to thank his small crew and following sponsors for their dedicated support in 2017:
TEN LLC Roofing and Siding
Gardner’s Garage
Shakelton NAPA
Frantic Fabrication
Industrial Hose
While Brian Mady has received his combat service stripes with life’s hard lessons, it seems he as prepared as ever to achieve his dreams in motorsports. He has survived life-threatening illness. He has methodically raced and conquered any level of racing he has faced thus far. Look for him to battle his way to the next level in 2017 and many years to come.
