10 Questions with…Jerry Mueller

#mytrackmyroots

Driver of the #49 Homers Towing & Service Late Model
Current Holder of the Late Model Track Record

How did you get into racing?
My dad raced and then my brothers (Joe, John, and Jimmy) raced too, so it’s been in the family. Jimmy raced for Jim Kannenberg. I used to hang around when my brother worked there. They had so many cars to get to the track on Sundays, so before I even had my license I used to drive one of trucks to the track.

What do you like about Slinger Super Speedway?
Home track, in my backyard. And I know everybody there.

Who do you need to thank?
Crew: John Heartfield, Dean Kone, Steve Reynolds, Matt Urban (spotter), Scott Ascher, Craig Kaiser, and my girlfriend, Kim. Sponsors: Homers Towing & Service (Milwaukee), Sterling Chalet (Hubertus), Britches Excavating (Menomonee Falls), Bonafide Security Solutions (Brookfield), Hair Studio 251 (Thiensville), All Pro Asphalt Paving (Richfield)

What is your real job?
Working at All Pro Asphalt Paving

What is your favorite racing memory at Slinger?
My championship in 1995 in the street stocks.

How did you get your car number (#49)?
I was drag racing Joe down Lannon Rd at 10am one day and got my first speeding ticket…for 49 mph over the limit. (I won the race.)

Talk about the new track record lap (11.929) you had at the Opener – did it feel fast?
It felt good. I don’t know, I wasn’t too worried; it was kind of a weird deal. After practice (I was fast all day) John DeAngelis, Jr. said “I think you need to back up your corner, and then you’d have fast time.” I just did what he told me.

What is your favorite food?
Meat and potatoes. No particular restaurant, just meat and potatoes

What was your first car?
A ‘75 Monte Carlo, one of those big pigs…a boat

Which Slinger driver (past or present) do you respect the most?
Al Schill – Just from being around him over the years…pitting for him through the early years. We are still really good friends to this day; I feel like family around him. I like all the old timers, but especially Al and Gwen with us closing way too many bars together and everything else.