With Meijer and its $4.6 million offer for the current location of the Manitowoc Speedway, Eastern Wisconsin Stock Cars was left with only one certainty — the 2016 season would be its last at the speedway.
The 12th — and final — season at Manitowoc Speedway for the EWSC begins May 6, with organization president Todd Humphrey being pulled in a few directions.
“It’s very bittersweet,” Humphrey said. “There’s the anticipation of the season and the extra publicity we’re generating … the first time I got the news it was like a kick to the groin.”
Local racing author Joe Verdegan, while disappointed, understands the business decision.
“Change in constant in racing, but it comes down to business,” Verdegan said. “… Hard, at the end of the day, to pass up that kind of money into the community.”
For EWSC driver and Sheboygan resident Scotty Thiel, 24, it’s about the loss of a home for racing since he was 16.
“It’s definitely a bummer when a track isn’t active anymore,” Thiel said. “I grew up racing there. It was my hometown track. … I don’t like it, but the city and the county made their decision.”
Whitelaw native and EWSC driver Kevin Naidl had similar thoughts.
“I don’t think it’s a good thing for the fair,” Naidl said. “It’s a nice track and grandstand — shame it’s going away.”
Thiel, who is also a promoter who had put on events at the track in the past and has some planned for this upcoming season, added a decision like this takes the wind out of the sails for those in charge.
Humphrey concurred.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and money to help improve the facilities,” Humphrey said. “You realize what little say you have even when you do the work. I’m feeling a little under-appreciated, I guess.”
If Humphrey doesn’t feel valued by the officials who made the decision, he got the opposite from the fans and drivers.
“It’s been really great with all the support,” Humphrey said. “Even going to the meeting and hundreds of people are showing up. It fills you with pride seeing people care about what you put your heart and soul into.”
Verdegan said the culture of racing over the years has hurt the EWSC.
“I’ve been in this game over 30 years, and club deals like EWSC are harder and harder to come by,” Verdegan said. “Volunteers are hard to come by. Drivers and fans are spoiled in northeast Wisconsin. Drivers can go elsewhere if they’re unhappy. You don’t see guys going multiple nights, and EWSC are a victim of that.”
Thiel is one driver doing just that, racing multiple nights at different tracks, but he said it’s still a blow to lose Manitowoc Speedway.
“There are a lot of tracks in Wisconsin,” Thiel said. “Each one, though, is unique and plays to different drivers’ preferences. I travel 40-50 nights a year, so I won’t stop racing, but it hurts losing it. A lot of people in the racing world would love to have what they have there, their own uniqueness.”
There’ll be the joy of one last season of left turns at Manitowoc Speedway, but Humphrey said the future of EWSC remains in doubt.
“We’re looking at different opportunities out there,” Humphrey said. “If we go through with one opportunity, we’ll need to raise a lot of money to fix the track and facilities.”
Humphrey said that opportunity is shifting the series to Chilton, but they’ll need to raise between $70,000 and $80,000 to make it work, he said.
“Our insurance guy went through and he pointed out things that needed doing (at the Chilton track),” Humphrey said. “He didn’t go more than every 10 feet without finding something wrong that needed fixing.”
Verdegan said there could be plenty of support to keep the EWSC going.
“If they’re smart, they can rally the troops and promote the heck out of it and get the fans out,” Verdegan said.
Humphrey said any money raised not used should the EWSC not find a new home will be donated to local charities.
For now, it’ll be business as usual.
“Same thing we’ve done,” Humphrey said. “We’ll put on a good show for the fans and good racing for the drivers. I’m excited for the racing and new drivers, but it’ll still be bittersweet.”
Eastern Wisconsin Stock Cars history
1960: First season at Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth
1961: Began running Wednesday nights at the Calumet County Fairgrounds in Chilton
1966: Began racing Thursday nights at Francis Creek’s 141 Speedway
1974: Stopped racing in Chilton, moved 141 schedule to Wednesdays
1981: Stopped racing at 141
2004: Final season at Plymouth
2005: Started racing at Manitowoc Speedway Saturday nights
2008: Races at Manitowoc Speedway moved to Fridays
2016: Final season at Manitowoc Speedway