Kyle Larson’s victory Saturday in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a win for New Glarus, with hometown hero Jesse Saunders serving as car chief on the winning No. 88 team. For local readers who may not follow NASCAR closely, the car chief is one of the key people responsible for the race car’s setup, preparation and performance through the weekend.

Saunders, a New Glarus native, has built a long career in NASCAR and is now part of one of the sport’s top organizations. His racing path began in Wisconsin, and after his driving career ended in his 20s, he moved into the sport full time and has been with Hendrick since 2013. The organization says he has been part of three NASCAR Cup Series championship teams.