By: Kari Gutknecht & Matt Panure
When looking for some of the off track heroes of the Kwik Trip ASA Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment, Toby Kelly is one of those people that stand out. Toby, along with his brother Kris Kelly, driver of 77 T-K Motorsports, was born into racing and both are third generation racers.

Toby, like many crew chiefs, is a former racer himself. His racing career was short lived as he went to further his education at Michigan Tech.

At Michigan Tech, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. "I didn't really choose this path for any reason racing related, I just did it because I was very interested in this field and I've been told by a few people that I'm a whiz in math,� Kelly stated on why he went for this degree. “I use this knowledge constantly with our late model program.�

When Kelly got back from college, his career of being the crew chief started. "After college, Kris got started in street stocks at Norway (Speedway) and away we went,� Kelly stated. “It was at this point in time that I realized that Kris had the driving talent that dad had, and I was a better crew chief than a driver."

Kris was named rookie of the year and finished 2nd in points in 1996. He went on to become a three-time champion in 1997, 1998, and 1999 at the Norway Speedway. "That was a trip,� Kelly recalled. “We were just young kids doing in racing what few young teams could do, be consistent. It was something like 45 dash appearances in a row in those 4 years. In 1998 I think that we won by over 100 points."

They followed up with two more championships in the late model class before joining a traveling series and eventually the Kwik Trip ASA Midwest tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment.

When asked if he had a favorite track Toby stated that he didn't have one until the first ASA Midwest Tour race at Elko speedway. "That place is a race track. A true two-lane track, all night long. A place you can really race at," Kelly stated. He also claimed that racing is a 12 month commitment with little time to goof off, because there is always next year to get ready for. For Toby Kelly, racing is the number one priority.

A huge part of the T-K Motorsports team is the family spirit and involvement in the team. Even the Kellys' mom has been there with the team through it all.

"My favorite thing about racing is what drives me personally to do what I do, wrench.� Kelly explained. “When we go racing and have a good night, I know that Kris needs me and I need Kris. It’s both of us working together. I guess that's why we're such a good team. That's what I love about racing."