Youth sprint driver Julia Maki celebrates after wining her feature on May 23, 2026 at Escanaba Motor Speedway. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — For the first time in nearly two years Julia Maki found herself back in Victory Lane at Escanaba Motor Speedway.

“It felt great to get the win,” Maki said. “The track was really dusty at the start but was much better for the feature race.”

Prior to her win Saturday night her last feature win came on May 26, 2024 which also was a season opener.

Maki also has 11 top five finishes in career as well as 15 top 10 finishes.

Maki wanted to thank her brother Dane, mom and dad and all her sponsors that include, U.P. Steel Center, Sorce Services, LLC, Bosk Construction, North Bluff Grocery, Joe Darmogray Construction, Pike Distributing Inc., Saunders Point Brewing, Papa Jerry, Derouin’s Auto Body, The Mauldong Family, Rent-a-Maid Building Maintenance and Fredrick Family Chiropractic.

Along with racing Julia plays travel softball so only races on certain weekends as she has availability.