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Perseverance puts Puffe into the driver seat toward Pure Stock National Championship

By Meghan Diemel, Editor

LAPORTE, MN — Dustin Puffe’s perseverance helped him bring home the WISSOTA Pure Stock National Championship in 2025. The 41-year-old from Laporte, Minnesota won 16 times in 2025, including a victory during the first night of the Chicken Shack Nationals at Bemidji Speedway, and the $1000-to-win show at Grand Rapids Speedway — where that tough-as-nails attitude helped him overcome an early penalty and race back through the field for the victory. Puffe was also the track champion at Bemidji Speedway and Greenbush Race Park.

Puffe is the service advisor at Park Rapids Ford, and has a big cheering squad that includes his wife, Trish, his daughter, Dezerai, his dad and stepmother Jon and Karen (Kunze) Puffe, and his mom and stepfather Jackie and Kelly Matheny.

All The Dirt! Racing News: What was your favorite racing-related memory from the 2025 season?

Dustin Puffe: Winning the $1000-to-win show at Grand Rapids Speedway after getting sent tailback while leading the race, driving back to the front, and parking in victory lane.

ATD: What was the low light, racing related, of the 2025 season?

Puffe: Breaking in Greenbush while leading the feature. All in all there wasn’t really a low light. [I] take everything in stride and keep pushing forward.

ATD: What is your background in racing, and who has helped your racing career along the way, whether family, friends, or other racing mentors?

Puffe: [I] have raced on and off since 2002. Wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for my wife and daughter, who allow me to be gone almost every night either working on the car or racing. My dad has helped and been by my side every step of the way. None of this is possible without his support and encouragement. Al Sadek [travels] with us almost every night and helps with setup and keeping things positive. Cory Jorgensen and Aaron Bernick [provide] constant friendly banter and joking.

ATD: From a wider perspective, what are a few of your favorite moments from your career to this point?

Puffe: Winning the first-ever MPH race in a car that we just bought and had never raced.

Being the first two-time winner of the Dean Olafson Memorial $1000-to-win race.

ATD: Break down the reality of a racing season for you. What is your advice regarding how much time and effort goes into a successful season like you’ve had, for drivers just getting their start in dirt track racing?

Puffe: It can be a long and grueling race season. The season will be full of highs and lows. Don’t let the lows get you down and keep trying to be faster every time you hit the race track. Remember, we are all doing this because we love the sport and keep a cool head.

ATD: What can be the hardest or most trying part of racing season for you, and why?

Puffe: The missed family time. The long hours of work, tire prep and preparation for the season and each race.

ATD: What is your favorite event of the year and why?

Puffe: My favorite is the $1000-to-win show at Grand Rapids Speedway, was formerly the Dean Olafson Memorial. My favorite event of the 2025 season was clean sweeping at the only regular season show at Hibbing, and racing lap after lap, door to door with Jake Smith.

ATD: Is there a race or race track you have never raced in/at, and why do you want to race there?

Puffe: I would have liked to race at Rice Lake Speedway. Looks like a beautiful facility and race track, unfortunately never had the chance.

ATD: What will be your favorite part of the offseason, as we head toward late 2025 and early 2026, for you?

Puffe: Not worrying about getting the car ready for 2026.

ATD: What are your racing plans for 2026?

Puffe: Help the new owners of the car win races.

ATD: Who are your sponsors you’d like to thank?

Puffe: [The] car owner — my dad, Jon Puffe; Bulldog Building of South Dakota; Risland Contracting LLC; Andy Williams Realty Group; Pepsi Nei Bottling; King of the Road Trailers; Auto Value Parts Stores; Jim Hirt Trucking; Fuhrman Designs Wraps and Apparel; and Traction Stands.