"Every time I go out there, I have the idea of winning," the High Hill resident said. "But it doesn't always work that way." It's a worry he will never have to experience. The 59-year-old Kaminski broke through in late May with his first feature win of his career in the Street Stock class at Montgomery County Speedway. The victory helped propel him up the points standings where he is now viewed a contender for the track championship. So far this season, Kaminski has yet to finish worse than sixth in a heat or feature race. He has finished third or better in four of six feature races. It's those type of finishes he expected following last year's strong run in a part-time driving role. A year ago, he won five heat races and made the decision to aim for the track title in 2008. "If I ever want to cut back, I would rather put in one full season and really try to go for it," he said. Kaminski hit paydirt on May 24 when he led for all 15 laps and held off continued challenges from points leader Eddie Lowry in the exciting feature race. Lowry had dominated the Street Stock class the first three weeks of the year with wins. "It was exciting," Kaminski said. "(Lowry) was the one to beat." So how did it finally feel to be the driver in Victory Lane holding the checkered flag? "It was a big relief," Kaminski said. Kaminski has managed to support his racing habit with his successful home furniture business in Jonesburg. It's there where he draws the line between work and play. It's not until he gets home at night does he tinker with the car. And that's only after the yard is tended to and the grass mowed. The racing has helped get the business name out to more faces, as the familiar decals are plastered on the side of his No. 46 blue and white car. Every night, Kaminski challenges himself to find a way to continue his climb up the standings and make a run at Lowry, a resident of Cadet, Mo. Through the first six weeks of action - the Street Stock had an off week this past Saturday - Kaminski has compiled 302 points, 57 behind Lowry. "It's not out of reach, but I have to figure out how to beat Eddie," Kaminski said. "I have to figure out what I can do to my car and my driving skills to get ahead of him and stay ahead of him." Kaminski was bit by the racing bug in his early 20s when he and a bunch of friends took their girlfriends to St. Charles Speedway. In 1994, he would later return to the track with his wife and son Daniel, a night that would change their Saturdays forever. "We got hooked," Kaminski said. Kaminski has raced off and on since Montgomery County Speedway opened in 2001, along with making a few appearances along the way at St. Charles, Granite City and Holts Summit. Mostly, he's concentrated on helping his son Daniel, who began racing at 16 and is now 27. Posting solid finishes and winning are just a byproduct of showing up every weekend with his family in tow. Some of his favorite accomplishments include watching his son win his first feature race in 2004 and last year when both won their heat races and started the feature on the front row next to one another. Also in 1998, when Daniel was racing at Tri-City Speedway and earned rookie of the year honors, Kaminski was selected as the mechanic of the year. Married for over 30 years, the Kaminskis remain a regular in the pit supporting their local track. "That is what I enjoy the most, the family and friends you meet," Ken said. "If it wasn't for family participation, I probably wouldn't be doing it. I know there are a lot of spouses out there that don't care for it, but mine does. Mine is just as excited, even more than I am." Victory Lane will do that to a family.