March 18, 2002; Luxemburg, WI. - For the first time in more than 10 years the regionally popular late models will make a special appearance Friday night, June 7 at Luxemburg Speedway for the first ever "Battle of the 'Burg". Rules for the event will allow machines that compete weekly at nearby Seymour Tri-Oval Raceway and Shawano Speedway to be eligible to compete. A 50 lap feature will pay $1,500 to the winner and $200 to start the main event. "Antigo is off that night and that was a big reason for us running this race," said track manager Rick Goral. "And just talking to the people around here they are pumped up for this. Many feel a special like this is long overdue. We'll run with the cast iron motors and the same tires that are run weekly so the drivers won't have to change anything to their cars." Among the many drivers who have already given verbal commitments to this special event are a pair of northeastern Wisconsin dirt late model legends: Pete Parker and M.J. McBride. Parker, who perhaps has won more features than any other dirt late model driver in state history, is relishing the chance to tackle Luxemburg's third-mile, clay oval. "It's been many years since I've run there," said Parker. "I remember a special fair race in 1982 when Scott Hansen was my teammate. Those cars put on a pretty good show back then." McBride competed fairly regularly at the track, known than as the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds in the mid-1980's. "It's always fun to run a special at a track that's close to home like Luxemburg is," said McBride. "I remember racing against guys like Brian Jaeger and Mike Melius years ago. We had a lot of fun at Luxemburg. We're looking forward to June 7." Other drivers who have already pledged early commitments to the June 7 special include former Shawano and Seymour champion Tom Naeyaert and former Seymour rookie-of-the-year Dean Maurer of De Pere. Naeyeart also competed occasionally at the track years ago in a late model while Maurer has logged many laps at Luxemburg in an IMCA modified and knows the clay oval well. Joining the late models that evening will be the track's top weekly divisions the IMCA modifieds and IMCA stock cars. The first race of the season will be Friday night, April 26 beginning at 7 p.m. Luxemburg Speedway is located 15 minutes east of Green Bay off state highway 54 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds. For more information call (920) 863 8446. |
