'Big R': Honoring and remembering Mackenzie Kulesza

Submitted by Ransomville Speedway

The annual Mackenzie Kulesza Memorial Race for the Sunflowers of Sanborn Mini Stocks will take place on Friday, July 14. A full Ransomville Speedway racing program featuring the Krown Undercoating Modifieds, Hy-Tech Concrete Sportsman, KiPo Motors Street Stocks, and Kevin’s Carpet Cleaning Novice Sportsman will all be in action, as well as the annual kids poster contest. 

The race is in honor and memory of 11-year-old Mackenzie Kulesza who died tragically following a car accident in November 2020. Kenzie’s nature was to see everyone smile. She was known to act like a clown just to see someone smile, and had a huge passion for animals and always made sure she would buy something for someone else, every time. Kenzie would be that girl that would jump in a mud puddle while wearing a skirt, and have the biggest smile there was. To Kenzie, there were no boundaries for age to earn her friendship.

As part of the Mackenzie Kulesza Memorial, there will be a basket raffle with all the proceeds benefiting the Rapids Firehall. Those interested in donating a basket for the raffle can contact Stephanie at 716-251-9118, Tony at 716-804-3943 or Jenn at 716-940-8475. 

The popular lap sponsorship program for this race is back, and fans can participate for $25 per lap. Those interested in purchasing a lap can contact Tony Kulesza or Jenn Martin. Specialty awards are coming in and will be spread throughout the field like in years past, including $150 bonus to the first car that has a Blake Chaffee Memorial sticker and Mackenzie Kulesza Memorial sticker on the car in memory of Blake Chaffee. The highest driver under the age of 18 will receive the $300 Young Gun Award from the Cobalt Crew, plus cookies donated and made by Stacie Bakes. 

Divisional rules can be found under the driver info tab on www.ransomvillespeedway.com

Pit gates will open at 5 p.m. Grandstands open at 6 p.m. Racing will get underway at 7:15 p.m. For those unable to attend, the entire program will be streamed on Dirt Track Digest TV.