The Scoop
2024 RACING SEASON PREVIEW
Posted on: Thursday March 21, 2024
IMCA modifieds set for takeoff at 141 Speedway. (danlewisphoto.net)
The 2024 racing season in northeastern Wisconsin is a mere weeks away.
With any new year comes changes. Some subtle. Some significant. In this column we will do our best to break down some of those changes and serve up a ‘preview’ of sorts for the fans who follow our racing news and history website.
(We typically cover tracks/series and drivers that host races in north central and eastern Wisconsin.)
After running on Sunday nights for the past several seasons it’s back to Fridays in Luxemburg with a new track name and new promoter. What was called Luxemburg Speedway and The ‘Burg in recent years at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds will be referred to as Luxy Raceway in 2024.
The new promoter is Tracy Thrun, who has served as a starter at many area dirt tracks for several seasons – most recent being 141 Speedway in Francis Creek. Although the track will not be IMCA sanctioned in ’24 the same divisions that have been run on the third-mile, clay oval in recent years will be in action on Friday nights. He’s no stranger to racing.
When the prior group Kewaunee County Racing Association (KCRA) hosted Sunday night racing they had an earlier start time of 5 p.m. Car counts remained solid although the front gate many nights was a little on the lighter side with some exceptions.
As has been noted over the decades anytime a track switches promoters or the night that track runs, inevitably the proverbial ‘apple cart’ is bound to get shaken up a bit. No question that will likely occur again in ’24.
Are there enough race teams to go around in the region? I would contend the answer to that would be ‘yes.’ Gravity Park USA in Chilton is to the south. They have run a Friday night show for years without any particular sanctioning body. Outagamie Speedway in Seymour has run under the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car (EWSC) banner with IMCA sanctioning for years. In 2024 they have added six nights of late model racing in addition to some Dirt Kings Tour events.
The bigger task at hand for all racing promoters is putting butts in the stands. Its a well known fact that the sport we love has had it’s hardcore base of rabid race fans shrink significantly over the years. The successful race promoters will be diligent in drawing those ‘non-race’ fans to the track. Hopefully these ‘non-race’ fans aren’t covered from head-to-toe in dust when the final checkered flag is waved.
A planned opener at Luxemburg is set for Friday, April 19 with the regular season wrapping up earlier than normal with a Sunday special August 11. We wish the new promoting team all the best and this scribe wants to thank Joe Orsini and the rest of the prior promotional group for their support of joeverdegan.com since this website’s inception in September, 2020.
Late models have been added to six of the weekly shows at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour in 2024. (danlewisphoto.net)
OUTAGAMIE SPEEDWAY – Truth is if it weren’t for the folks at EWSC taking over the reins in 2017 it’s hard to say if there would be stock car racing in Seymour, Wisconsin. The track’s layout has changed over the years. For decades it was a half-mile and was converted to a Tri-Oval in the late 1980’s.
The Tri-Oval was scrapped after several seasons and reconfigured into the conventional third-mile oval that exists today. For the 2024 season it opens Friday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. A pair of ‘test and tunes’ are tentatively set for April 20 and April 27, respectively. The season schedule has several special events sprinkled in. Among those include six late model specials. Those specials will be in addition to the Dirt Kings specials which will be May 24, July 5 and annual Fall Brawl on September 13.
The core divisions putting on a show at Outagamie weekly will be the IMCA modifieds, stock cars, sportmods & sport compacts along with Unified dirt street stocks.
Also on the docket is an appearance by the powerful IRA Outlaw 410 sprint cars will be in action Friday June 28. You can follow the track’s Facebook page and also the track’s website which is updated frequently at outagamiespeedway.com.
THE HILL RACEWAY – Similar to the Luxemburg oval to the south, a new promoting team will help keep the lights on at John Miles Park in 2024. Cousins John and Adam Sternard have teamed up to take over promoting the third-mile, clay oval in Sturgeon Bay. The Sternard families roots run deep in the Door County racing culture. And John, a former racer, was part of the previous promotional team that kept racing alive in Door County.
Like Luxemburg, no divisions will be sanctioned but will follow the same respective rules package locally. The main divisions that will put on a show at The Hill will be the stock cars, sportmods and street stocks with modifieds making a handful of appearances in 2024. In addition, the track has launched a “Crown Vic” duel event on Friday, August 16th.
The new division is designed with a rules package that will mirror that of the old enduro races the track held many decades ago. September 6th and 7th will be the other two dates this fledgling class will turn some laps at the oval known affectionately as the “Circle of Death.”
New in 2024 will be the first ever appearance of the IRA Outlaw sprint cars to the Sturgeon Bay oval on Sunday, September 1. Joining the powerful 410 sprinters will be the Wisconsin Wingless sprints and the stock cars that will scrap for a $1,000 payday. The season opening race at The Hill will be Saturday, May 18. For a complete schedule and other track information you can check out the track’s Facebook page.
141 Speedway boasts some of the highest weekly car counts in the United States. (danlewisphoto.net)
141 SPEEDWAY – 2024 will mark the 15th season the Francis Creek oval has been operating as a clay track. Originally built as a paved oval in the early 1960’s, the track was converted to dirt following the 2009 season.
Since that time, track promoters Toby Kruse and Dan and Scott Ratajczak have earned the Racing Promotions Monthly (RPM) promoter of the year award.
141 was the first dirt oval in eastern Wisconsin to post a $10,000-to-win IMCA modified race with it’s “Clash at The Creek” midsummer event. Some years later IMCA stock cars and sportmods also got their opportunity to throw down for a five-figure payday.
In 2024, the Ratajczak’s are out and area businessman and racer himself Tim “CZ” Czarneski has joined the promotional team at 141. This year’s Clash will be slightly different as the purse has been split into a pair of $5,000-to-win shows. The Saturday night shows in recent years have boasted some of the highest weekly car counts not just in the Midwest but also the nation. The program remains a well-oiled machine heading into the ’24 campaign. The weekly show features the IMCA sanctioned modifieds, stock cars, northern sportmods and sport compacts. In addition the Unified street stocks and grand nationals make up the weekly card at 141.
For further information you can check the track’s website 141speedway.com along with the track’s Facebook page. The season opening race at 141 is set for April 13.
SHAWANO SPEEDWAY – The lone remaining half-mile among the area county fairgrounds tracks is Shawano Speedway. The program has been a Saturday night fixture for decades and 2024 will be no exception. Shawano remains the only track on the eastern half of Wisconsin to host late models on a weekly basis.
Despite calls to possibly consider shortening the track to date, things will remain the same at Shawano at least for 2024. It will stay a half-mile for now. The late models will headline with IMCA modifieds, stock cars, northern sportmods and four cylinders making up the weekly show.
A tip of the cap goes out the Ed Bertram of K & E Sales and Service for helping to spearhead the “Too Tough To Tame IMCA Stock Car Series, serving up some big dollar specials for the popular division.
The season opens at Shawano with the Dirt Kings late model tour during the track’s season opening night Saturday April 13.
The Dirt Kings Tour will begin its eighth season of hosting dirt late model races in 2024. (danlewisphoto.net)
DIRT KINGS TOUR – 2024 will mark the eighth season for the Dirt Kings late model tour. The series hosts events mainly in Wisconsin but branches out to northern Illinois and Minnesota to host events as well. The season kicks off at Shawano April 13. DK is very active on Facebook providing updates.
GRAVITY PARK USA – Weekly, Friday night racing kicks off at Gravity Park USA in Chilton on April 12. Divisions that compete on a weekly basis are modified, sportmod, grand national, street stock, stock car and four cylinders.
A pair of late model specials are on tap May 3 and June 28. You can find more information on Gravity Park USA on the track’s Facebook page.
PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK – Midwest Sprint Association (MSA) 360 sprint cars, grand nationals and B modifieds will make up the three weekly divisions on Saturday nights at Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth. The late models will make several appearances through the ‘Super Six’ series beginning on Saturday, May 4. The season opening race is slated for Saturday, April 27. Wisconsin legends will be part of that card for the PDTR opener.
IRA sprint cars will be at PDTR May 18, June 8 in the cross-promotional event with Road America and also on July 27 and August 31. Badger Midgets will invade the Plymouth third-mile oval June 22. The Dirt Kings late models will be at PDTR August 23 and also for the Wildman Classic September 21. You can check out plymouthdtr.com for more information.
BEAVER DAM RACEWAY – After the season opening Frostbuster race scheduled April 4-6, weekly Tuesday night racing takes place at BDR April 16. IRA sprints will follow that up with an appearance Saturday, April 20 with Dirt Kings and Badger Midgets.
In addition to stock cars, BDR runs a karting program on Thursday nights beginning on May 16.
You can learn more about BDR’s season schedule and other pertinent information at wismotorsports.net.
Lawn mower races are an added attraction on Wednesday nights at GSR Kartway.
KARTING TRACKS, THE SPORT’S FUTURE – In northeastern Wisconsin we’re very fortunate to have a pair of ovals that cater to helping grow the respective futures of motorsports. Two karting ovals – GSR Kartway in Clintonville and Little Buckaroo Jr. Motorsports Park In Cecil host weekly karting races during the summer months on Wednesday and Friday nights, respectively.
GSR also hosts lawn mower races. Many of our area stock car stars on both pavement and dirt locally and regionally got their start at either of these ovals. At GSR the first green flag on the ’24 season kicks off May 16 while the lid lifter for Little Buckaroo is set for May 10.
At Little Buckaroo the popular ‘Battle at Buckaroo’ money race is set for Friday, May 24. GSR hosts its season ending Badger 50 two day season finale September 21 and 22.
Both track’s have Facebook pages where they are very active and current with their respective content. GSR also has a website gsrkartway.com. A tip of the cap goes to the promoters of both tracks. Brandon Blashe and his family at GSR and Brian and Kari Ambrosius at Little Buckaroo. They work together on rules, procedures and schedules and are a shining example of promoters working TOGETHER. (Bigger track and series promoters, take note!)
NORTHWOODS RACING – Eagle River Speedway recently announced it will sanction the IMCA stock cars as part of the third-mile, clay oval’s 2024 Tuesday night shows. The traditional season opener for the popular northwoods oval will be Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, May 26. Then June 11 is when the track’s schedule switches to it’s traditional Tuesday night program.
Ben Schmidt scored his 40th career Midwest Sprint Car Association A main victory in the MSA’s debut appearance at Eagle River Speedway. in ’23. The winged warriors will return to ERS in ’24. (RC Custom Design photo)
B modifieds, ERS late models, IMCA stock cars, street stocks, 300 and 600 micro sprints comprise the weekly show. A handful of specials dot the track’s ’24 schedule, including the return of the Midwest Sprint Association (MSA) sprinters for a Saturday night showdown July 6 for the ‘Open Wheels & Wings’ show. Also returning to Eagle River for the first time in 40 years the Badger Midgets for a Saturday night special July 20. You can learn more about Eagle River Speedway by visiting their Facebook page.
ANTIGO – Yes, it appears there will be some racing at the Langlade County Speedway in Antigo this year. A special event is set for July 21 with a July 4 race with late models. Dirt Kings Tour will be part of the Langlade County Fair races July 26 (event was rained out last year) and also again on the 13th of September. According to a Facebook post IMCA modifieds, sportmods, stock cars and 4 cylinders along with USRA late models and a blended street stock class are the divisions that will be in action.
THREE LAKES – Brit Broman has breathed some new life into TNT Speedway in Three Lakes with his purchase of the dirt oval a year ago. Some snowmobile races were run over the winter. A June 1 opening date is set. B modifieds, street stocks, pure stocks and four cylinders are among the divisions scheduled to run regularly. Dairyland Vintage racers are also set for a couple of appearances. You can follow the track’s Facebook page for further information.
TOMAHAWK – With Tomahawk Speedway up for sale, as of now it does not appear any races will be held at this dirt oval in 2024.
IN DA’ YOOP – Escanaba Speedway’s 2024 season schedule includes a season opener of Saturday, May 18 at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba, Michigan. After a pair of Sunday races in May the program switches to a mostly Saturday night program at the quarter-mile, dirt oval. You can discover more about Escanaba Speedway by visiting either their Facebook page or escanabaspeedway.com. (Note if planning on attending a race at Esky please remember they are in the Eastern Time Zone so one hour ahead).
Norway Speedway’s season opening race is slated for Friday night, May 24 at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway. Among the highlights of their 2024 season schedule are the annual Stateline Challenge race June 28 and the popular Hall of Fame night June 21. Check the track’s Facebook page for further information.
And even further north there is another track you should put on your bucket list – Sands Speedway in Sands Michigan, just minutes from Marquette. This uniquely shaped quarter-mile paved oval has a most unique layout. They race during the day on Sundays beginning June 9. You can find information pretty on their program at their Facebook page as well. Like Esky, they are in that EST time zone.
WINGS – A pair of sanctioning bodies remain strong and will continue to host winged sprint car races in Wisconsin and other states in 2024.
The Interstate Racing Association (IRA) hosts 410 sprint car events primarily in the Badger state. However it’s season opening event will take place at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa in a co-sanctioned event with the MOWA sprint car series April 5-6. The IRA outlaws can be followed at irasprints.com.
The Midwest Sprint Association (MSA) hosts 360 sprint car races in Wisconsin. The series home base is Plymouth Dirt Track. Other tracks that host MSA races include Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Eagle River Speedway, Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam and Wilmot Raceway. 2024 will mark the 25th anniversary of the MSA.
You can learn more about the MSA through their website at msasprints.com.
Darboy’s Sawyer Effertz will be the defending super late model champion during WIR’s “Thursday Night Thunder” show in 2024. (TUNDRA series photo)
PAVEMENT PONDERINGS
WIR – Fitting with tradition as in the past several seasons, The TUNDRA super late model series will kick off the oval track season of racing at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna on Saturday, May 11. The traditional Thursday night Season Kick Off Pit Party (with free admission) is set for Thursday, May 16 with the first green flag for live “Thursday Night Thunder” action kicking off May 23. The three dates for the Red, White & Blue state championship series dates are June 13, July 4 and August 15.
The annual FRRC Tech, Test & Tune will take place Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spectator admission is free for that practice day. You can learn more at the website wirmotorsports.com. For more information on the TUNDRA super late models check out tundrasuperlates.com.
(On a WIR note my good friend and VERY talented musician/actor Frank Hermans with his production company Let Me Be Frank Productions is hosting an awesome musical called ‘WIR NIGHTS.’ The shows will be held at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay throughout the month of April. The show is a parody of WIR’s “Thursday Night Thunder” show with a mix of “Talladega Nights” thrown in. You can learn more and order tickets for these shows at meyertheatre.com.)
MIDWEST TOUR – The ASA Midwest Tour 11 date, 2024 schedule kicks off Sunday, April 21 at Slinger Super Speedway. Among the popular traditional stops on the tour will be the Joe Shear Classic 200 Sunday, May 5 at Madison International Speedway, the Gandrud Auto Group 250 at WIR in Kaukauna with the series champion crowned at the Oktoberfest 200 weekend at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. You can dial up midwesttour.racing for additional information.
TUNDRA SUPER LATES – Five dates are scheduled for the 2024 version of the TUNDRA super late model series. It’s unique format allows teams to ‘buy in’ and as such they receive tires and pit passes at each respective event. They brand themselves as “New Era. Old School.”
After the WIR opener in May, TUNDRA makes traditional stops at Marshfield, Dells and Golden Sands Speedway in Plover. Check out TUNDRA’s Facebook page or their website tundrasuperlates.com.
SLINGER NATIONALS – The “World’s Fastest Quarter-Mile, Slinger Super Speedway, will once again play host to the Slinger Nationals Tuesday, July 9. You can find the complete ’24 schedule with other pertinent track information at slingersuperspeedway.com. Slinger hosts weekly racing on Sunday nights with multiple divisions in action.
DELLS ICEBREAKER – The annual Icebreaker 100 will usher in the new year of racing at Dells Raceway Park on Saturday, April 13. The April event kicks off the “Alive For Five” series. The 602 late models will also be in action. The track’s website dellsracewaypark.com provides up-to-date information on a regular basis. The program runs Saturday night races.
MIDWEST TRUCKS – A touring series that continues to grow in popularity, the Midwest Truck Series hosts races at paved ovals in Wisconsin and Illinois. The series kicks off it’s ’24 campaign as part of the Icebreaker at DRP April 13. Midwesttruckseries.com is the website to learn more about this series which features a unique mix of young, up-and-coming drivers and wily veterans. Definitely worth checking out.
STATE PARK SPEEDWAY – The season opening race for this iconic north central Wisconsin speedplant is scheduled for Friday night, May 17. For more information on this quarter-mile, paved bullring check out stateparkspeedway.com.
GOLDEN SANDS SPEEDWAY – This high-banked, third-mile paved oval often boasts three-wide action on their wide racing surface. The first race at the central Wisconsin speedplant is set for Friday, May 10. Check their website gssraces.com for additional information.
MARSHFIELD MOTOR SPEEDWAY – This half-mile oval was paved in the mid-1990’s and the track’s season opening race in 2024 is set for Saturday afternoon, May 4. The track’s website is marshfieldspeedway.com.
JEFFERSON SPEEDWAY – The season opening race at Jefferson Speedway’s quarter-mile, paved oval is scheduled for April 13 with the Impact Survival Series (ISS) enduro race. The track’s weekly racing opener is set for May 4. Check out jeffersonspeedway.com for additional information.
Those of you who know me I’m not the biggest fan of the online streaming of races. I have NOTHING against it. And I fully realize it’s here to stay. It’s just not my cup of tea. My point is whenever possible this year support your local short tracks IN PERSON. Nothing replaces the sounds, the smell, the overall atmosphere of being there. You can’t beat it.
As far as my 2024 book signings at the track – there may be one or two to be announced down the road. So…..stay tuned! Also watch for periodic ‘deals’ through my Facebook page!
Bring on 2024! As always I welcome feedback good, bad or indifferent at jverdegan2@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!