Wed, 27 Nov 2002, 07:21 AM Koenig Steps Up

By Dwight Drum, StripBike.com

Joe Keonig of Trim-Tex Rigid Vinly Drywall Accessories…a/k/a Seven-O-Joe, a/k/a business executive, a/k/a dad and hubby established an AMA Prostar Pro Stock Bike world record, recently retired, created a new NHRA team, and hired NHRA veteran Geno Scali as his rider…all within one year. We all might want to know how he plans to follow all that up in 2003. I had to ask.

Dwight asked:
As a team owner your decisions are not the same as the guy who mounted a two-wheel rocket and ripped a seven flattest. How do you shift to this next gear?
"I am totally ready for this transition in my life," Keonig said. "This will be very similar to being a good father or a good boss. I will step back and let Geno and his crew chief do their jobs. I will be proud of them when they succeed and try to guide and support them when they need me to."

Geno Scali is a proven NHRA Pro Stock Bike winner. What are your plans to get more wins for this skilled racer?
"Five important things, Dwight," Koenig said. "Here's my top numbers."

No.1  Fund the race team.
No.2  Get a top notch crew chief.
No.3  More horse power.
No.4  Lots of testing.
No.5  Turn them loose. 

We know you are a successful businessman, a racing man and a family man. How do you plan to balance your all these important roles during the next 365 days?
"Last year I worked about 40 hours a week on the Pro Stock Bike team, two bikes, two trailers, and a lot of motor changes from two-valve to four-valve," Koenig said. "This year I will spend more time dirt biking and snowmobiling with my family and friends. As for Trim-Tex, I have an awesome staff and they handle just about everything that comes along. The race team will take care of itself and I will have more free time in the evenings for my wife Deb and my three daughters."

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