'Big R': A family that races together ...

Courtesy of Ransomville Speedway

Dan and Brandon Michaud along with Brandon’s girlfriend, Jessica Kriegisch, are all calling Ransomville Speedway home in 2021. The trio will compete in the Investor’s Service Sportsman division weekly.

Dan Michaud is entering his sixth season of racing in the Sportsman division. He started his racing career on two wheels as he raced Motocross for six years.

“I had the No. 133 in Motocross, and it is the same number on my racecar,” Dan said. “What I like most about Ransomville is how fast the track is.”

Dan explained that racing against Brandon and Jessica will be good to help them get faster each week. He is the driver of the American Ethanol, Lakewood Village No. 133.

After a couple of seasons running with the Krown Undercoating Modifieds, Brandon will be competing against his brother, Dan, and his girlfriend Jessica. He will be the pilot of the Kuszlyk Custom Harvesting, Sterling Lubricants, Champion Oil 132.

“Ever since I raced dirt bikes, I had the No. 132 and it has stuck ever since,” Brandon said. “Ransomville is a fast, tough track, and with the top-notch drivers that race there weekly makes for some good racing.”

“With all three of us racing together, it should be very interesting. We all want to outdo each other, so don’t be surprised to see a little bumper-rubbing,” Brandon said while laughing. “It will be helpful with the three of us running the same cars and similar equipment; we may be able to learn faster on what works better at what time. But at the end of the day, it’s awesome to be able to enjoy the same hobby with the whole family.”

Brandon’s goal for 2021 is winning heat races and he hopes to get a feature win.

After starting in go-karts at the age of 7, Jessica is coming to Ransomville with years of experience racing, including seven racing in a Sportsman. Jessica will be joining the Investor’s Services Sportsman full-time in 2021. She has made a handful of starts at Ransomville over the past couple of seasons.

“I like Ransomville, because the track is newer to myself and I love the challenge of learning how to drive new tracks as well and adapt my driving style to the different track conditions,” she said. “Ransomville also has many great drivers who range in all different levels of experience, which gives me a chance to watch and learn from everyone.”

Recently moving to Medina, the Pennsylvania native has been racing in the region for many years, primarily at Genesee Speedway, as well as making starts on both the RUSH Sportsman Series and the BEI Lightning Series.

Running the number that her dad used in his driving career, Jessica’s No. 63 is also special because the numbers also represent her birthday (June 3). She will be behind the wheel of the McElwain Motors, W.A. Barr Construction, Sterling Lubricants, and Champion Oil entry.

With all three in competition at the same time, it will bring challenges and bring out their competitiveness.

“We are all very competitive and we will all drive our hardest and try to have the best possible finishes throughout the season,” Jessica said. “It is also a great way to learn and listen to what they (Brandon and Dan) think that the track and car are doing and try to make the changes that I may not have thought of to make my car better.”

Her goals for the 2021 season include picking up qualifying heat wins and finishing in the top 10 each night.

Ransomville Speedway is located on Braley Road in the hamlet of Ransomville, just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls and Lockport. “The Big R” is a 3/8th-mile DIRTcar-sanctioned facility that is the “Home of the Summer Nationals.” Ransomville also features a 1/16th-mile go-kart track for action on the “Little R” on Thursday nights. Visit www.ransomvillespeedway.com.