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Hazelton's Mac Brothers racing in memory of 'Duct Tape' dad

By Gene Ostrowski
March, 2006

The three car Mountain Speedway thriller team of Kevin Makarewicz, Marissa Nelmes and Jeff Owler, headed up by late model driver and team owner, Jason Makarewicz are focused on not only to visit victory lane this season, but plan to do it in style while remembering one they lost not so long ago, Ed 'Duct Tape' Makarewicz.

After a successful season in '05, Hazleton's Mac Brothers Racing attended the Mountain Speedway awards banquet on November 12th in '05 to celebrate a terrific season. Little did they know that in a few short days (November 15th), Jason, Kevin and Ed Makarewicz, Jr. would lose their hero, and Francis Makarewicz, their mom would lose her best friend and husband of 35 years. Makarewicz has three grandchildren: Emily, Kevin and Jason.

Ed Makarewicz passed away in his sleep and was only 59 years old. The shocking news quickly hit the racing community hard, but by far not as hard as it did the Makarewicz family, who are very close knit and instrumental to the family atmosphere at Mountain Speedway.

"Our dad was always into racing, even more when the big blocks ran at Evergreen (Mountain Speedway). Several years ago when I wanted to go racing, our dad said I was out of my mind and that he would never help with the car. Wouldn't ya know he was out in the garage every day? He couldn't keep his hands off of it. Every week he was out at the track as well", noted Jason Makarewicz.

A true fan of the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Davey Allison, Ed Makarewicz was no stranger to the sport. He also enjoyed drag racing and followed John Force and Eddie Hill. Ironically, his son Kevin follows drag racing just the same, and competes occasionally at Numedia Raceway with his dragster.

Duct Tape dad also enjoyed riding his '68 Kawasaki. Occasional country rides to clear his mind were normal for Ed. He loved riding so much that just recently he figured it was time to purchase a new motorcycle.

Ed was one of those guys that you always see at the track, no matter if his sons were racing or not. With a serious look on his face, he would crack a joke and you didn't know whether or not to laugh, wondering if he was serious, or just playing with you. For all that knew Ed, it was just his way to make people smile. "He would help out whoever needed it, all you had to do was ask. Sometimes you didn't even have to ask, and he was right there", said Kevin Makarewicz.

"Nothing can replace the memory of dad…nothing", noted Jason. "You know that anything can happen at any time, yet everyone still takes it for granted. Being that we are all so close, it really hurt. We're just glad that we all spent time together at the banquet prior to his death. It was very special. Like I said, hug everyone twice. Really, you never know".

The thriller division will run a 50-lap memorial race on Saturday, June 17th at Mountain Speedway in honor of the late Makarewicz. There will be sponsored laps, with money going to the top three leaders on each circuit ($5 for 1st, $3 for 2nd & $2 for 3rd), which will go along with the higher purse. Although tears will not only fill the cockpits, they'll fill the stands as well. But, when the green flag flies, there will be three Mac Brothers Racing drivers who will be determined to bring in the win, not for themselves, but for "Duct Tape" dad.

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