Meet Max Opalski

I began my racing journey at the age of 5 in Chicago, Illinois, starting with kid-karts, the entry-level class in kart racing. For about two years, I competed in this class, gradually learning the fundamentals of racecraft and speed. During this time, I participated in regional racing series such as WKA and Route 66, where I focused more on developing my skills than on securing wins. My coaches often noted my coachable nature, which helped me improve over the years.

A significant turning point came in 2016 when my family moved to Colorado. This move allowed me to race at a national level for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in my career. To support my development, my parents hired a personal driving coach who traveled with us across the country. My first national race was at the Rotax US Open in Las Vegas that same year. It was an exhilarating experience but also a wake-up call; I quickly realized the competition was fierce, and the talent pool was deeper than I had previously encountered.

In 2017, I competed in the SKUSA Pro Tour for the first time, focusing on the mini swift class. My dedication paid off as I progressed as a driver, but 2018 proved to be another critical year as I moved up to the X30 Junior class. My coach, Wes Philips, and I started strong, finishing in the top ten of national races and achieving podium finishes in regional events like the SKUSA Pro Kart Series. By 2019, I was racing almost every week, and the experience was invaluable, leading to what I would consider my breakout year.

At the start of that season in Florida, I qualified on the front row for the SKUSA Winter Series—a first for me. However, racing at the front brought new challenges, particularly managing the pressure of competitors behind me. Throughout the year, we faced the consistent challenge of being fast but struggling to maintain our position at the front.

A highlight of 2019 was the Streets of Lancaster race in California, where I entered two classes and won both by over 5 seconds. This achievement significantly boosted my recognition in the racing community. The year ended with my participation in the SuperNats in Las Vegas, the largest kart race globally, where I finished 5th in one class out of 50 drivers and 10th in another class after starting from the back of the pack.

Transition to Car Racing and Continued Growth

Early Beginnings and Rise in Karting

The year 2020 marked my most successful year yet. Although I didn't attend any winter races in Florida, I won several regional races in California as part of the Challenge of the Americas series. The 2020 Pro Tour began at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, but the race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a months-long hiatus from racing.



In August 2020, kart racing resumed, and the entire SKUSA Pro Tour series took place in New Castle, Indiana, over two weeks. I earned pole position in two of the three races and secured a few podiums, enhancing my points standings. The following series, the United States Pro Kart Series, featured six races where I finished in the top five for every race, with two wins and two second-place finishes. Those victories were my final races in junior karting, as 2021 saw my transition to senior classes.

My first race as a senior was the ROK the Rio in Las Vegas, where I qualified on pole and finished second. The remainder of 2021 was challenging, with several top-five and mostly top-ten finishes. The intense competition in the senior class, coupled with engine issues, made it difficult to stay at the front, but the experience was still rewarding. I participated in six national-level races that year, nearly double the previous years.

Reflecting on my karting journey, I realize I couldn't have achieved this success without my dedicated team, particularly Ryan Perry Motorsports, who meticulously analyzed data and video footage to help me improve. Additionally, I competed in shifter karts at the national level, with notable performances in both the Florida Winter Tour and the Challenge of the Americas.

In June 2021, I completed the Allen Berg Racing School, obtaining my SCCA license, and began testing in the MX-5 Cup car, amassing over 50 laps at Dominion Raceway. In January 2022, I debuted in the Global MX-5 Cup at Daytona. The year primarily focused on learning the nuances of car racing, with several top-ten finishes that prepared me for the challenges of 2023.

In the offseason, I dedicated my time to training in Spec Miata and on simulators, enhancing my driving and car setup knowledge. My first pro race in 2023 went exceptionally well, with a top-three qualifying position and a fifth-place finish. My performance at the Firestone Grand Prix at St. Pete showed promise until mechanical issues hindered our efforts.

Source: https://wecanallrace.com/maximilian/