Team of Madison Dads Takes Top Prize at Red Bull Chariot Race on Langdon Street

A team of four Madison men who met through a church group won the Red Bull Chariot Race on Oct. 17, beating 23 other teams before a crowd of more than 3,000 spectators on Langdon Street.

The team, called "Fast and Fatherly," took home $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull. Unlike most of the field, none of its members were college students. Three of the four are new fathers, and the fourth describes himself as a "hopefully-soon-to-be dad." Their chariot was built to look like a baby crib and decorated with their children's toys.

"This was so much harder than I thought it was going to be," Sam Peterson told The Daily Cardinal after the race. He competed wearing a baby carrier holding a baby doll. Teammate Micah Palmer, who dressed as a baby, said he hopes their children learn "that you can humiliate yourself and still have a good time." The three fathers said they plan to spend the winnings on a vacation with their families.

The event brought together University of Wisconsin-Madison students and community members. The 24 teams were paired into 12 head-to-head races starting outside Memorial Union. At the Lake Street turnaround, racers had to solve a Red Bull Puzzle, switch positions and race back. Teams were also judged on chariot construction, creativity and a skit performed before racing. Red Bull gave each team $200 toward building costs.

"The Eagle Has Landed" placed second after a patriotic skit that included a choreographed lift. Senior Joe Jaroski, a member of the Wisconsin cheer team who dressed as Uncle Sam, said he spent hours preparing the lift with fellow senior Erin Kelly. Teammate Matt Kleist said the race gave them a memorable experience for their senior year. "Grouchiator Maximus" finished third, ahead of "Minion Mayos," who had about 30 supporters dressed as Minions cheering from the sidelines. The two runners-up also receive unique Red Bull-sponsored events.

Aaron Colton, a Red Bull athlete and professional motorcycle stunt performer, was one of three judges. He said creativity counted for more than half of the judging, noting that some teams assembled their carts that morning while others had worked on them for weeks. He also pointed to the puzzle as "the great equalizer." The other judges were Kayla Ruedebusch, a Madison-based creator and professional foil athlete, and Jay Wanserski, owner of Wando's and Jay's Bar. Ruedebusch said the show and creative elements set the race apart from others.

Some teams were new to the event. "Team Super Badgers," one of the few all-freshman entries, was surprised its application was accepted. Teammate Brennan Schumann said a friend filled it out for them and told them the next day they had been selected.

Madison was the fifth stop on Red Bull's nine-stop chariot race tour, which runs mainly through college towns, according to the company's website. UW-Madison volleyball alumna Jada Cerniglia and Milwaukee comedian Tommy Violet hosted, both for the first time at a Red Bull event. Colton had judged the race in two other locations.

The crowd included friends and family of competitors, prospective students visiting campus and Madison residents. Spectator Tohnie, a UW-Madison alum who once lived on Langdon Street, said, "I love coming back to my home-away-from-home."