Four Fathers Claim $1,500 and 60 Cases of Red Bull in Chariot Race Win

Four men from Madison who are not currently enrolled in college won the Red Bull Chariot Race on October 17, securing a cash prize of $1,500 and 60 cases of energy drinks. The group, known as Fast and Fatherly, defeated 23 other teams in a competition held on Langdon Street that drew a crowd of more than 3,000 spectators. Their victory marked a distinct moment in the event, as most of the field consisted of university students.

The winning team’s chariot was constructed to resemble a baby crib and adorned with their children’s toys. Three of the four members are new fathers, while the fourth described himself as a soon-to-be dad. Sam Peterson, a member of the crew, noted that the race was significantly more difficult than he had anticipated. He competed while wearing a baby carrier that held a doll. His teammate Micah Palmer, who dressed as a baby, expressed a hope that their children would learn from the experience that it is possible to humiliate oneself and still enjoy the moment. The three fathers stated they intend to use the monetary winnings to fund a family vacation.

The competition structure required the 24 participating teams to be paired into 12 head-to-head races starting outside the Memorial Union building. Racers were required to solve a Red Bull Puzzle at the Lake Street turnaround point and switch positions before racing back. Beyond speed, teams were evaluated on the quality of their chariot construction, their creativity, and a skit performed prior to the race. Red Bull provided each entry with $200 to help cover building costs.

The second-place finish went to a team called The Eagle Has Landed. Their performance featured a patriotic skit that included a choreographed lift. Joe Jaroski, a senior on the Wisconsin cheer team who dressed as Uncle Sam, explained that he and fellow senior Erin Kelly spent hours preparing that specific move. Teammate Matt Kleist described the race as a memorable experience for their senior year. Grouchiator Maximus placed third, finishing ahead of Minion Mayos. The latter group had roughly 30 supporters dressed as Minions cheering from the sidelines. Both runners-up also received unique events sponsored by Red Bull.

The judging panel included Aaron Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer and Red Bull athlete. Colton emphasized that creativity accounted for more than half of the final score. He observed that some teams built their carts that same morning while others had worked on them for weeks. He identified the puzzle as the great equalizer in the competition. The other judges were Kayla Ruedebusch, a Madison-based creator and professional foil athlete, and Jay Wanserski, the owner of Wando's and Jay's Bar. Ruedebusch noted that the creative elements and showmanship distinguished this race from others in the series.

Some participants were new to the event, such as Team Super Badgers, one of the few all-freshman entries. Teammate Brennan Schumann revealed that he was surprised his application was accepted, noting that a friend had filled it out for them before informing him of their selection the following day. Madison served as the fifth stop on Red Bull's nine-stop chariot race tour, a route that primarily visits college towns. The event was hosted by Jada Cerniglia, a UW-Madison volleyball alumna, and Milwaukee comedian Tommy Violet, both of whom were making their first appearance at a Red Bull event. Colton had previously judged the race in two other locations. The audience included friends, family, prospective students, and local residents. Tohnie, a UW-Madison alum who previously lived on Langdon Street, expressed her love for returning to what she called her home away from home.