Roush Fenway shut down its Xfinity Series operation the following year.
The Wisconsin native made one NASCAR Truck Series start in 2019, but the step away from the Xfinity Series was a disappointing loss of momentum for the late model champion.
The second squandered opportunity Majeski pinpointed was his 2020 Truck Series campaign, where he piloted the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports.
While he was originally hired to run the full season, the team replaced Majeski after 15 races. During his time with Niece Motorsports, Majeski collected three top-10 finishes.
The swift exit from the cockpit of the No. 45 was yet another blow for Majeski, who continued to watch his NASCAR dreams move further away.
Ironically, his journey up the NASCAR ladder returned to his short-track roots.
“Kind of got let go from Niece, and then we went out and won the Snowball Derby in 2020. That was a big part of the reason I’m at ThorSport,” Majeski explained.
As he mentioned, Majeski was back in the Truck Series in 2021 following his triumph at the Snowball Derby, but his primary role wasn’t behind the wheel.
Though team owner Duke Thorson agreed to Majeski making four starts in the team’s No. 66 entry, the former mechanical engineering major predominantly served as an engineer for ThorSport.
However, the underlying intention was for Majeski to eventually climb into the No. 66 truck on a full-time basis.
“We didn’t know when that was going to happen, but we were both working toward that goal and if it was one year, two years, three years, I was willing to make that sacrifice,” Majeski said. “(Thorson) promised me races part time until there was a spot open and, thankfully, it was just one year.”
Despite his impressive showing and making the playoffs with ThorSport last year, Majeski feels he’s yet to experience a career-defining moment in the Truck Series.
But if he had to pick one, it might be his first series win — which he earned at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on Sept. 15, 2022.
“That was just surreal. You know, I worked so hard for that moment. To have it be at Bristol in the playoffs, punching my ticket to Phoenix, the rooftop celebration — it’s just, it’s Bristol,” Majeski said. “That was my first-ever NASCAR race as a kid when I was 7 or 8 years old. So, to win there was really, really special.”
Fast-forward to his sophomore season and Majeski is still waiting for his breakthrough.
There were a few flashes of brilliance earlier in the year, including when he held the points lead during four consecutive races, stretching from April to May. At one point, he led both the ASA STARS National Tour and Truck Series points.
Majeski has since relinquished the lead in the Truck Series, but he’s stayed consistent in the standings — the lowest he’s been ranked this season was fourth.
Despite not winning in the first 14 races, Majeski secured six top-five finishes and nine top-10 results, positioning him for another run at the championship.
“We’re focused on these last six or seven races before the playoffs and, hopefully, we can knock off a few wins and the points will take care of itself,” Majeski said. “We’re always in the mix, and if you’re consistently running in the top five, it’s going to happen. It’s only a matter of time.”
In the meantime, the 28-year-old has maintained his winning ways on the short tracks, living up to his revered reputation as a top late model driver.
Majeski Claimed his third Slinger Nationals trophy on July 12, holding off Luke Fenhaus to win the prestigious super late model race at Wisconsin’s Slinger Speedway.
But the current ASA STARS National Tour points leader has an important choice to make.
When Majeski initially announced his intent to run the ASA STARS circuit, he only committed to the first seven races on the 10-date calendar.
The idea was that he’d compete up to the event at Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, then evaluate the season and decide whether or not to run the final three races.
While there are no conflicts with his Truck Series schedule, there are still several factors for Majeski to consider.
“We’re going to commit to run through Kaukauna and see where we’re at from there. A couple of races later in the year are going to be tough for me to make it, and they’re more of a commitment from a team perspective,” Majeski explained.
However, with a pair of wins, three top-five finishes and another top-10 effort, it may be more difficult than Majeski thought to turn down a shot at the ASA STARS National Tour title.
But champion or not — NASCAR or otherwise — one thing Majeski knows for sure is that late model racing will always be part of the picture for him.
“I’m fortunate enough to have a great team owner that allows me to do it and that enjoys when I do go out and run those late model races,” Majeski said. “I love doing it and, hopefully, I can do it for years to come.”
This story appeared in the August 16, 2023 edition of the SPEED SPORT Insider.
