by Oshkosh Media PR
Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway opened it's doors in 1999 as the third-mile clay oval roared to life with a Tuesday Night racing program. During it's pivotal first few seasons, the track was sanctioned by International Motor Car Association (IMCA). One of the longest running and most effective short track sanctioning bodies in the nation IMCA sanctioned both the Modified and Stock Car divisions at the raceway through the 2000 season.

The following year the track became an independent raceway following area rules which mimicked the IMCA classes. The track has remained one of the most successful independent tracks in the state in the state of Wisconsin.

During the 2011 season, the Leon's Frozen Custard Sport Modified made it's debut at Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway. Based off the IMCA Sport Modified class the division was a welcomed addition to the raceway and the class put on highly competitive racing events. While the management was pleased with the division as 50 different drivers took to the raceway during the season, there were some concerns in the number of participants which competed on a nightly basis.

The addition of IMCA sanctioning will result in the drivers not only competing for track points, but they will also be competing for statewide, regional and national IMCA points.

It's believed with the addition of the IMCA sanction an even stronger weekly car count can be expected for the 2012 season.

Last year the season high car count occurred on May 27th when 24 participants checked into the pit area. However for the balance of the year the fields stayed in the mid to high teens, while the regular Modified division often was on the high side of 30 participants.

by Joe Verdegan
Three northeast Wisconsin-based businesses, all with ties to dirt track racing, have signed on to back the Badger Mod Tour during its inaugural season in 2012.

The tour will be referred to as“The Custom Windows Plus Badger Mod Tour presented by Floors By Design & Directional Drilling Services.” The series will host modified races at clay ovals in the eastern half of Wisconsin this year. “With the support of these three businesses, we can secure the guaranteed point fund for the drivers and that’s a big step for our first year,” said series director Joe Verdegan. “Our point fund will pay 20 spots deep to tour members and guarantees the winner a minimum of $1500 cash, along with other contingencies we’re currently working on. We’re new and we’re taking “baby steps” so to speak in our first year. We want to be around for the long haul.”

Custom Windows Plus owner Jon Courchaine owns an IMCA stock car and also sponsors several other teams in many divisions in the area. “I love the concept of a touring modified series in Wisconsin and it’s long overdue,” said Courchaine. “We’re glad to support it.” With locations in Green Bay, Madison and Wausau, Custom Windows Plus specializes in window sales and replacement. Please check out their website at customwindowsplus.com, or call (920) 855 6555.

Floors By Design is co-owned by Ashwaubenon native Ricky Lemmen. Floors By Design has sponsored many NASCAR drivers over the years, among them Johnny Sauter, Kyle Busch and Kenny Wallace. They specialize in residential homes and commercial interiors with functional designs that reflect their clients’ personality and lifestyle. They handle carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, commercial, residential and everything else in between.

Track Rat Photo | UMSS Media PR Photoby Greg Parent
The Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) celebrated their 2011 season and honored the top drivers at its annual awards banquet at the Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center in Mounds View, MN on Saturday night January 28. The multi-purpose facility provided a great venue for the UMSS banquet with well over 100 people in attendance. Several drivers were honored with various awards in both the winged and the new non-winged sprint car divisions.

The third champion of the UMSS was crowned, as Jerry Richert, Jr. from Forest Lake earned the 2011 title. Richert, often referred to as Sonny by his friends and family, had an incredible 2011 season with 3 wins, 16 top five finishes, and 18 top ten finishes during the 19-race campaign. With over 30 seasons of sprint car racing experience dating back to his first win at Centuria, WI in 1981, Sonny continues to add impressive accolades to his famous racing family's accomplishments and advance his own already stellar racing career.

The travelling Barry Kettering Memorial trophy for the UMSS now includes the names of Leigh Thomas, Cody Hahn and Jerry Richert, Jr. as the first three series champions. Jerry thanked his family, crew, co-owner Joe Kouba, and his many sponsors for their support. Sonny stated, "My dad would have been especially proud tonight." Richert's famous father earned numerous championships throughout his racing career and is still thought of as one of the best to hail from the Upper Midwest. Presenting the Barry Kettering Memorial trophy this year to Jerry Richert, Jr. was Warren Kettering from Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The inaugural champion in the new upstart Traditional Sprint Car Series (TSCS) was a rookie in the sprint car ranks in 2011. Kevin Bradwell moved up from the hornet and pure stock classes to try his hand at sprint car racing in 2011. When the 15-race TSCS season had concluded, Kevin Bradwell earned an impressive first championship title. A brand new travelling trophy was unveiled at the awards banquet and will be for the TSCS division champion to hold each year.

Photo Gallery from Ice Racing on Rice Lake, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 - Click for Full Gallery

Ice Racing on Rice Lake, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin (Doug Zimmer Photography)

by Joe Verdegan
Nearly 220 drivers, track officials and race fans arrived at Pott’s Beverly Gardens Saturday as the 2011 Luxemburg Speedway champions were crowned at the annual awards banquet.

by Kari Shear-Carlson
The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour announces it’s biggest year of incentives yet with the announcement of the 2012 Champions Awards.