by LaCrosse Media PR
Officials from LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway released today the schedule for its 2012 racing season.
by Oshkosh Media PR
If you enjoy dirt track racing, Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway's "Summer of Thunder" will satisfy any race fans need for speed with a full slate of weekly racing events, spiced up with a handful of specials and full smorgasbord of different classes appearing on the 1/3 mile clay oval. You won't go hungry if thrilling racing action fills you appetite.
by Joe Verdegan
(Francis Creek, WI) February 4 – More than 300 drivers, crew members, race fans and track officials converged at Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot Saturday as the 2011 track champions from 141 Speedway were crowned, in the track’s second season as a high-banked, third-mile clay oval.
Sobieski’s Sean Jerovetz won his first career track title in the modified division. Jerovetz beat Green Bay veteran Eddie Muenster by 7 points to secure the crown.
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.
Slinger Media PR PhotoLepak, Freimund, Swan, Goetzke, Welter, Wagner
by Todd Thelen and Gregg Paul
The Slinger Speedway awards banquet was held Saturday January 28 at the Schauer Arts Center in Hartford, Wisconsin. Drivers, car owners, crews, fans and track staff were on hand to honor the champions and all the racers in each division. There was an added treat with the new venue at the Schauer Center it also allows fans to take in the SE Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame, housed in the same building. LeRoy Meats of Horicon catered the evening’s dinner.
Long time Slinger Speedway Announcer and Host of The LTN Hour Todd Behling was the MC for the event, and he got things going by introducing Slinger Speedway MRO Track Chaplain Jim Zierke. Jim opened with a prayer and asked to remember Tom Powell, Wes Biswell and others we lost during 2011.
The Slinger Bee’s were the first division to accept their awards for the 2011 season. Nick Wagner captured his first track championship in dominating fashion. Wagner recorded 16 fast times and 17 feature wins on his way to the title. Rounding out the top five were Braison Bennett, Brandon Tackes, Allen Maher, and Marty Tackes. Allen Maher would also collect the Rookie of the Year honors in the Slinger Bee Division.
2011 Thunderstock Champion Andy Welter continued his steady climb up the ladder in this division. He went from 5th in 2009, 3rd in 2010 to Champion in 2011, but there won’t be another Thunderstock championship for him next year because he is moving up to the Late Model division in 2012. Welter collected 15 top fives and 5 feature wins on his way to the title. Brad Hetzel, John Daley, Ken Schrafnagel, and Nate Fick rounded out the top 5 with Tyler Schley taking home Thunderstock Rookie of the Year honors.
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.
