Uncola Rematch race ad shows pay-off for the big event. (Checkered Flag Racing News ad)By Dale P. Danielski
If Phil Stewart had issues with the Wisconsin short track drivers taking most of the money back home with them after one of his special events at Elko Speedway in 1971 he never mentioned it. More than likely it really didn’t matter as he was putting on races like never seen before in the Upper Midwest. And best of all the pit area was jammed with most of the best and equally significant, the grandstands were packed! With the recently announced Old Style 200 to take place September 18-19 at the Speedway much the same was expected for the event. And boy did that turn out to be true as the event drew the best field of cars yet and the biggest crowd, over 10,000 over the two days.

NHRA's Larry Dixon

Minnesota transplant Jim Sauter raced this car #5 a 1969 Chevelle in the Border State Rivalry events. (Jim Mussoni photo collection)By Dale P. Danielski
With Wisconsin Star Dick Trickle’s decisive win in the Uncola 7000 Challenge race at Elko Speedway July 5th the Minnesota contingent was out for revenge in round two, The Uncola Rematch. They didn’t have long to wait while licking their wounds either as the Rematch was set to take place August 10.
With Trickle handily winning the first race in his Ford, Iten Chevrolet of the ‘Cities decided to offer a bit more incentive to the predominantly Chevy group of Minnesota racers by presenting the winner of the Rematch with a very intricate and beautiful four foot trophy. The trophy was billed as the Minnesota-Wisconsin Challenge Series Award and was accompanied by a $750.00 check. A large throng was on hand to again witness the action as 7,222 fans officially paid to see the event, most of them rooting on the Minnesota “Scat Pack”.

The Midwest Racing Connection's Dan Plan interviews Kenny Wallace about Kenny's book titled Inside Herman's World and racing his dirt Modified on the short tracks.

Article used with permission from Joe Verdegan - http://www.verdeganelite.com/

After 10 years of racing on area dirt tracks, Benji LaCrosse can say he's "been there, done that."

The Luxemburg native who calls Green Bay home has won just about everything there is to win in the IMCA stock car and modified classes.

In his first full season of racing in 2000, he tied records held by veterans John Gregorich and Charlie Kroll while racing at Thunderhill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay, winning eight features in one year, including four in a row, in the stock cars.

He's won track titles at Luxemburg, Sturgeon Bay and Seymour. He's been an IMCA state champion, North Central regional champion and the sanctioning body's national champion in modifieds. In 2005, he became the first Wisconsin driver to win the modified feature at the IMCA Super Nationals at Boone, Iowa. The event is considered by many to be the Daytona 500 for weekly dirt track racers.

Just a few weeks ago, LaCrosse gave serious consideration to running for an IMCA national title, which would have meant racing three nights per week, and chasing races at tracks when his weekly tracks rained out.

Doug Hornickel PhotoBy: Kevin Ramsell
WEST ALLIS, WI (Sunday, May 31, 2009) - It was a beautiful day and a great crowd on hand at The Milwaukee Mile for the ABC Supply - AJ Foyt 225 Indy Car Series race. Dixon got past defending race winner Ryan Briscoe with 24 laps to go in the race that only took one hour and 38 minutes.

Briscoe sat on the pole but it was Tony Kanaan going from his third starting position to the lead on the opening lap. Kanaan would lead the first 25 laps until Briscoe would get by him on lap 26. Kanaan would later fall out on lap 133 with mechanical problems.

The top-three stayed together throughout most of the event with Briscoe holding off Ganassi Racing teammates Dixon and Dario Franchetti.

The first of two cautions flew on lap 57 when Mike Conway made contact with the SAFER barrier in turn four. He was able to walk away.

ROL Podcaster Kevin Ramsell Previews the May 30th Weekend at Dells Raceway Park With Jeff Kendell and Kyle Shear

A quick look at this weekends upcoming events at many of the tracks in the region.

Please support your favorite local short track this weekend!

Thursday, May 28th

Wisconsin International Raceway - Season Opener - http://frrcracing.com/

Friday, May 29th

Calumet County Speedway - Regular Racing Program - http://www.chiltondirttrack.com/

Columbus 151 Speedway - Milwaukee Stock Car Vintage $2.00 off General Admission for De Forest & Lodi - http://www.columbus151.com/

Kopellah Speedway - Kids Night & Powder Puff Races - http://www.kopellahspeedway.net/

Lafayette County Speedway - X-treme Clean Car Wash  Race - http://www.lafayettecountyspeedway.com/

Luxemburg Speedway - VanDrisse Racing Parts (Regular Program) - http://www.luxemburgspeedway.com/

Listen to the MIS Podcast

By Kevin Ramsell
As you drive south of Madison, you begin to enjoy its beautiful countryside. You find yourself driving down Sunrise Road, just east of Oregon, WI. Farms on the right and a heavily wooded area on the left. Then all of a sudden you are there, at one of the more historical racetracks in the Midwest...Madison International Speedway, an ASA Member Track.

It was in May, 1969 that Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile opened with Jerry Eckhardt taking the first ever win. Since that time, it has had several different owners, had three different names, and even had was a dirt track for a short time.

The track originally opened as Capital Super Speedway and became the proving grounds for drivers like Dick Trickle, Joe Shear, Tom Reffner, Mark Martin, Jim Back, Johnny Ziegler and many more. Through the 70’s and the 80’s it was the premiere facility where the drivers from central Wisconsin would drive down to challenge the drivers from state line and Chicagoland area.