The Vault
2007 FLASHBACK – TERRY CASEY, SPORTMOD EXPLOSION AND MORE
Posted on: Tuesday February 8, 2022
Terry Casey (Jonathon Hall photo)
Below is a motorsports column I penned for the Green Bay Press Gazette April 2, 2007.
In the 1970’s and ’80’s, the term barnstormer referred to a driver who traveled from state-to-state, chasing high-paying races.
tThis past weekend Casey, nicknamed “Mr. Excitement”, turned some heads during a $10,000 Lucas Oils late model series race at Brownstown (IN) Speedway’s quarter-mile bullring. Casey topped the star-studded 73 car field in qualifying which included such nationally known hotshoes as Scott Bloomquist, Donnie Moran and Billy Moyer.
After having troubles in his last chance race, Casey earned a starting berth in the 75 lap feature through a points provisional. “This cawas fast down in Florida during Speedweeks and we pretty much haven’t changed a thing on it – just washed it,” said Casey. “After the feature we found we had a bad shock, which is why we were out to lunch in the main.”
“I usually run the shows that pay $2,000-to-win or more,” said Casey, who seldom races at the local dirt tracks anymore. Last season Casey ran the Dirt Track Racing Association (DTRA) sanctioned shows in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Part of the reason for that was because of his association with Minnesota’s Arnie Raanta, a major sponsor of racing in that area. “He’s been great for me so far,” said Casey. “He approached me when I was racing up there a couple of years ago. It’s a pretty good arrangement.”
What also helps Casey travel is his employer, Badger Highway of Menasha, allows a flexible schedule. “My boss is a real big race fan, and as long the equipment we work with is taken care of my schedule is very flexible,” said Casey. This weekend Casey will head to the World Dirt Racing League (WDRL) season opener in Davenport, Iowa.
MORE BROWNSTOWN NOTES…Three other Wisconsin drivers were part of the late model field. Sullivan’s Dan Schlieper placed 19th after using a provisional as well…Waukesha’s Russ Scheffler and Solon Springs’ Brady Smith placed fourth and sixth in their respective last chance races, respectively.
SPORTMOD MANIA – Both Luxemburg Speedway and Langlade County Speedway in Antigo will be running the IMCA northern sportmod division weekly in 2007. Last year Shawano Speedway was the first track to run the class on a weekly basis. As this goes to press 31 northeastern Wisconsin drivers have purchased licenses to race in the division, which is basically a poor man’s IMCA modified. Thunder Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay will also be running the sportmods five times in 2007.
SEYMOUR NEWS – During the off season officials of NEW DIRT, the club that operates Seymour Speedway’s Sunday night program, decided to gong the WISSOTA sanctioning for it’s late models and run it with open rules in ’07.
BUCO’S BACK – After a one year absence the De Pere-based BUCO racing team will return to competing at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna in 2007. Two Rivers’ driver Gregg Haese will drive the Schneider National-sponsored 00 car Thursday nights along with the Red, White and Blue state championship series along with a few trips planned to Norway (MI) Speedway. “Gregg is a real good young talent,” said team owner Mark Patton. “He’s been helping us rebuild the car the past couple of months and we’re looking forward to fun racing at WIR again this year.”
BUCO Racing will also team up with Greenleaf’s Tom Hockers who will not race this year. Hockers machine will serve as a backup car.
LOCAL TIES – Driving for Green Bay car owners Mike and Patti Butz, Minnesota’s Andy Hanson finished fifth in the ASA late model series event at San Antonio(Texas)Speedway last weekend.
MID-AM NOTES – After a two year absence the Mid-American Stock Car Series is slated to return to Road America in Elkhart Lake on October 27. The series kicks off next weekend in Rockford, Il.