Washington Co., WI – Ethan Kling, 32, of Newburg, WI, wrapped up a successful season of racing at tracks in Slinger, Wisconsin Dells, Madison, Rockford, Jefferson and La Crosse. Kling doesn’t race for fame and fortune, though.
Kling, a 2010 West Bend High School graduate who played football for East, said he would be recognized for his missing arm. Injured in a farming accident when he was 9, Kling recalled when he was in school, he was harassed for being different.
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“It’s tough growing up being different or misunderstood. I know what it’s like not to fit in. I know what it’s like to sit and eat by yourself. I know that feeling of being judged everywhere you go. Getting called names, getting shoved, or tripped. Been there – lived that,” he said.
Kling could have let society kick him to the curb, but he has taken what others consider a handicap and used it to show everyone what he is capable of.
“All I want out of racing is to show kids and adults who are disabled that anything is possible.” – Ethan Kling
This year Kling raced his No. 12 Malibu with the Slinger 6’ers (six-cylinder race division).. “I’m still competing for the same reason I played football,” said Kling. “I have always believed in this dream of mine to help inspire people. I just want to show them they do not have to be the ones sitting in the stands wishing they could participate in a sporting event.”
“Before the season started, I had people telling me that racing requires two arms. That I will never go anywhere, and I will never make a name for myself. A whole lot of negativity that I just used to prove them wrong.”
Kling is a self-taught mechanic who works on his vehicle, preparing it for races. He’s gleaned some of his knowledge from his Uncle Phil and from working on the family farm. Kling’s 2006 vehicle was purchased from a friend and rebuilt by Kling to race as a rookie in Slinger.
Although he was enthusiastic about racing, Kling realized he had a lot to learn and that meant picking up tips and insight from mentors as he stepped onto the racetrack.
Kling keeps his aspirations in check, knowing he is leading the way for others who understand where he is coming from. “I just want to shine some hope in the lives of those who are feeling like I did once…. Lost. I believe people should feel like they are capable. I don’t want them to think the possible is impossible.”
The bar has been set high by Kling. “The biggest of dreams can be achieved even with a disadvantage. Real courage is facing the reality that you will fail at times, but you endure it and keep fighting and pushing anyway. Treat failure as a lesson to be learned from and not a reason to quit.”
Kling received a Rookie of the Year trophy from Slinger Speedway, yet he doesn’t consider the prize a win, for himself. “People tell me to be proud of this trophy, but to me it’s never been about trophies. These things are just going to collect dust just sitting on a shelf. The real trophies are the people who have come to believe in themselves from watching me do my thing.”
“This Rookie of Year trophy is for those who have lost all hope, and for those who think there is just no way out of the dark. I consider my wins to be the lives I can give hope to; those wins will never collect dust.”
To describe what it’s like to be on the track, Kling said, “Basically It’s like playing chess strapped to a paint shaker, in a sauna on a hot July afternoon.
“The adrenaline, the nervousness, the atmosphere, the smell of race gas in the pits, and the smell of burgers coming from the concessions, the sound of the engines blowing out your ear drums. It’s just the greatest thing in the world.”
As to why Kling races, “I’ve been through some stuff. Some really hard and terrible gut wrenching, heart shattering stuff. Stuff that destroyed me mentally and destroyed my body. I wasted a decade of my life doing things I didn’t want to do. I wasted a decade questioning myself. I wasted a decade allowing other people’s opinions to control me, I was beating myself up pretty good internally and in doing so I allowed myself to walk through this world without a purpose.
“Somewhere along the lines I just shut down because I was so focused on the negativity in my life that I didn’t see the point anymore in trying at it. I was born to stand out. I was made to chase the sun. Normality was never meant for me. Normality has never worked in my favor because truth is that I am different from other people with this amputation. So, I got to live my life different, got to think outside the box, and if I got to live different then I am willing to sacrifice everything to go big with this life.
“I hope I can inspire those who are dealing with a disability, even those who are not disabled, and are just dealing with the stresses of life. We all need to be shown at times there is still hope. What always made me happy while playing football was helping show kids who are disabled that anything is possible. That they don’t have to be the ones sitting in the stands wishing they could participate.
“I want to be the person for them that I needed when I was their age with my missing arm.”
Inspiration comes to Kling not only through his racing endeavors but through his words, “I just have this need to help people who are like me, I need to show them it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to be lost, it’s okay to hurt, it’s okay to take the punches that are gonna come their way in life. What matters is you keep going. If you are gonna dream, then dream big! I won’t lie, you are gonna have a few turn-back moments and a few upsets but you gotta keep at it.
“I look at it like this. if out of racing I can inspire just one person, whether they are disabled or not…the pain, the heartache, my struggles, my joy, my happiness, the bad moments, and the good moments. All of it will have been worth living through.”
Kling doesn’t consider the comments and opinions of others who find his physical condition to be subpar for the racetrack, “I’ve had people tell me racing is not possible for someone in my kind of position. I’ve been belittled for it, and you know what that’s okay. It was nothing but fuel for the fire. They said I couldn’t, but yet here I am. Proving people wrong is one of the things that gives me joy.”
Currently, Kling is working on trusty No. 12 to prepare for an upcoming race at Freedom Factory in Florida.
“I know this car of mine isn’t much right now, but it’s a start,” said Kling, “I’m working on it, sitting in it, and driving the ole No. 12. I can feel my purpose, I can see an opportunity in front of me to achieve my dream. Racing saved me. If it decides to take me out so be it. Only way I want to go is by chasing and living my dream.”
Kling doesn’t take all the credit for his victories in life, “I have an entire good and loving community who have all sponsored me for this season and have my back. I have an awesome uncle who has helped me get here. I will not let them down. I am honored to have each and every one of my sponsors.
“I love that my best friend and teammate Brandon Gumm. This has been a dream of ours since 2011. This year it’s going to be magical.”
