We introduced Sean Postemski to our readers in the December 2019 issue of The Hampton Gazette when he finished his second racing season as a Quarter Midget with five wins and a total of thirteen career victories. One year later, this 8-year-old, 3rd grader has repeated his successes with dual championships in his class. Winning the Race of Champions in Jr. Honda and Jr. Animal, Sean won a total of 10 races this season. Sean only started racing in 2018 when his father, and mechanic, Dan Postemski, suggested it. Practice and determination lead to success. Sean likes to practice his skills on the paved track, sometimes over 300 laps. His Jr. Animal and Jr. Honda vehicles can reach 40 miles an hour. Yes, he has crashed and flipped his cars, but — spoken like a true race car driver — he has learned “not to get scared.” Like all veteran drivers, he knows his car. “I try to feel when it’s too loose or too tight. Too loose means the rear end of the car feels like it’s going to come from underneath you, and too tight means the front end doesn’t want to turn.” Sean has learned to recognize “when his car feels different.”
Like every competitor, “I hate losing,” he says. “It makes me work harder and practice more.” Once he’s in his car, strapped in, “I run the race in my mind and I try not to make any mistakes. I feel excited once I’m in my car and ready to race.” When asked about his strategy he responds, “I know I can’t mess up. I try to keep a clean line and make all my passes clean”. All is not fun. Work is involved in the upkeep of his vehicles as well. Sean helps his dad, Dan. “He tells me the jobs I have to do. I help change the oil. I wrap the tires so that oils don’t come out of the tires because you want the oils to stay in the tire to keep the tires soft, making it have more grip.”
In all, Sean has won 49 trophies. His favorite “is one of the big ones from my championship.” On the track he is known as “metal man”. I have fans,” he relays. “My friends ask me for my autograph. I think that’s cool.” Other fans of his are cup driver Ryan Preece, Modified Tour Driver Doug Colby, and Stafford record holding driver Keith Rocco. Modified driver Glen Reen has sponsored and mentored Sean this season by helping him on the race shop. He has been with him track side at his races. Sean’s team name is “Postemski Racing”, and his parents are his number one supporters. Sean has five more years in Quarter Midgets. Next season he will make his debut in dirt, traveling to Pocono to race on dirt all while racing full time at his home track, Little T’s Speedway in Thompson. After five years in Quarter Midgets he plans on racing SK Light Modifieds. “I am looking forward to moving to modified engines on dirt tracks,” he says.
His car, he proudly states, is covered with win stickers, and when I ask him if that intimidates other drivers, Sean just smiles. He wants to continue improving on his techniques and his tradition of winning. And we look forward to hearing of, and reporting on, his future successes. Congratulations, Sean — you make our town proud!
Juan Arriola