The Scoop
A LOOK AHEAD TO THE ’26 RACE SEASON IN N.E. WISCONSIN
Posted on: Monday March 9, 2026
The 2026 racing season will quickly be upon us in northeastern Wisconsin. Here is a breakdown of the respective tracks season schedules. Special events at some of the tracks will be highlighted, along with touring series that may pop in during the year. Get out and support your local track IN PERSON this season whenever possible! And bring a new friend or two to the track!
2026 SEASON PREVIEW IN NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN
OUTAGAMIE SPEEDWAY, Seymour, Wisconsin. The Friday night program at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds will continue to be run by Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car (EWSC) in 2026. The IMCA-sanctioned based show features modifieds, stock cars, northern sportmods, sport compacts, Dirt Unified Dirt Street Stocks and late models on a roughly every-other-week schedule.
A total of 19 events are on the ’26 docket. Among the special events on the season schedule include the IRA Outlaw sprint car series June 12, appearances by the Dirt Kings late model tour and capping off the season with the annual Fall Brawl September 11 and 12.
The season opener is slated for Friday, May 1. For more information on the 1/3 mile clay oval, visit the track’s website outagamiespeedway.com or the track’s Facebook page. GPS address is North Main Street, Seymour, WI.
141 Speedway boasts some of the highest weekly car counts in the United States. (danlewisphoto.net)
141 SPEEDWAY, Francis Creek, Wisconsin. This will be the 16th year that the Francis Creek oval will serve up top-notch, dirt track racing. 141 boasts the busiest schedule of any other area track, hosting no less than 37 events in ’26. The track’s weekly divisions consist of IMCA modifieds, stock cars, northern sportmods, sport compacts, Dirt Unified Street Stocks and grand nationals.
The traditional $10k events have been moved from the Monday/Tuesday format to a Friday/Saturday format. The World of Outlaw late models will roll into Francis Creek June 19 and 20, with a $25,000 payday on the line for June 20. IRA Outlaws will return, along with Dirt Kings late models. The season kicks off with a two-day non-points event “Spring Stampede Series” April 10-11 with the first points night slated for April 18. Check out the latest news from 141 by visiting their website 141-speedway.com or following the track’s Facebook page. GPS address is 12812 County Road R, Maribel, WI.
THE HILL RACEWAY, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. John and Adam Sternard will continue to keep the lights on at John Miles Park in Door County in 2026. 11 events dot the racing schedule for the third-mile, clay oval in ’26. The track’s weekly divisions showcased include stock cars, northern sportmods, Dirt Unified Street Stocks and 4 cylinders.
Among the highlights are the popular Hall of Fame night Saturday, June 27, Dirt Kings late models on Saturday, August 15 and for the third straight year the IRA Outlaw sprint cars Sunday, September 6. The season kicks off Sunday, May 24 with the Nathan Bouche Memorial. You can follow the action at The Hill Raceway by following their Facebook page. GPS address is 916 N 14th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay, WI.
SHAWANO SPEEDWAY, Shawano, WI. The “Historic Half-Mile” will remain just that (at least through 2026 yet). Shawano has run weekly on Saturday nights since the early 1960’s, and remains the oldest, county fairgrounds in the area to continually host weekly racing without missing a beat.
Highlighting the ’26 schedule will be the return after many years of the IRA Outlaw sprint cars to the oval June 13. The track’s annual Hall of Fame night is slated for July 11. Dirt Kings late models will roll into Shawano April 18 and August 29, respectively. The annual “Racing For A Reason” night will be July 25. Shawano will also host the USRA late models for the first time on May 9. The season opening race is scheduled for April 11. Late models will not compete here weekly. Classes that will compete weekly will be IMCA modifieds, stock cars & northern sportmods and 4 cylinders. You can check out the track’s Facebook page for additional information. GPS address is 990 E Green Bay Street in Shawano, WI.
Brooklyn Kelnhofer is all smiles following a practice session at WIR.
WISCONSIN INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Kaukauna, WI. The premier paved track in northeastern Wisconsin for decades will continue hosting the popular “Thursday Night Thunder” shows, under the direction of the Fox River Racing Club (FRRC) beginning May 21 through September 3. The Red, White & Blue state championship series races will be run June 11, July 9 & August 20.
The oval track season kicks off Saturday, May 16 with the TUNDRA super late model series opener. The ASA Midwest Tour’s Gandrud Auto Group 250 is slated for Tuesday, August 4. You can check the wirmotorsports.com website for track info. For the FRRC, check out their page on Facebook. GPS address is W1460 County Road KK, Kaukauna, WI.
PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK, Plymouth, WI. A total of 20 nights are on tap for the third-mile, clay oval located at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds. The season opening race is scheduled for Saturday, April 25. The season at PDTR wraps up with the annual Wisconsin Sprint Car championships Saturday, September 26 with the IRA Outlaw sprints, MSA sprints, Wisconsin WingLESS sprints and IRA Lightning Sprints. The Super Six late model series will host one half dozen dates, with the first race being May 2. You can check out the track’s Facebook page or the track’s website plymouthdtr.com. GPS address is 229 Fairview Drive, Plymouth, WI.
LUXY RACEWAY, Luxemburg, WI. Friday night racing at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds is scheduled to begin April 17 with the final checkered flag falling Oct. 2-3 for the Spooky Showdown. The track’s annual Hall of Fame night is scheduled for July 24, with the Dirt Kings late model series making an appearance at the third-mile, clay oval Sept. 18. Check the track’s Facebook page for additional info. GPS address is 625 3rd Street, Luxemburg, WI.
GRAVITY PARK USA, Chilton, WI. Nearly one dozen divisions are expected to see action at Gravity Park USA in Chilton, Wisconsin on Friday nights in ’26. The season opening race is April 17. A new class this year at the quarter-mile, clay bullring is the LS late model division. The track’s last oval track race is scheduled for September 18 & 19 for the Fall Classic. The International Off Road Drivers Association also has five weekends scheduled at Gravity Park USA. You can follow the track’s Facebook page for additional information. GPS address is W2571 Hickory Hills Road, Chilton, WI.
USRA late models prepare to take the green flag at Eagle River Speedway. (Castle Creations)
EAGLE RIVER SPEEDWAY, Eagle River, WI. This gem of a third-mile, clay oval nestled in Wisconsin’s Northwoods is a “bucket list” track for both fans and drivers alike. The track hosts weekly, Tuesday night racing after opening up traditionally on Memorial Day weekend. This year’s season opener is Saturday, May 23. Weekly divisions include USRA late models, B modifieds, IMCA stock cars, Dirt Unified Street Stocks, 300 & 600 micro sprints. This year ERS will host a $10,250 B mod special Monday & Tuesday August 10-11 dubbed “Rumble At The River.” You can follow the track’s Facebook page for regular updates. GPS address is 3973 Cloverland Drive, Eagle River.
KARTING KORNER – Our region is blessed with a pair of karting ovals that provide a true feeder system for our local, full-bodied stock car racing scene. If you haven’t yet checked out their programs, they are both bucket list items for certain!
LITTLE BUCKAROO JR. MOTORSPORTS PARK, Cecil, WI. This eighth-mile oval hosts weekly karting action featuring multiple divisions, including winged karts. The show is run by Brian and Kari Ambrosius. Weekly racing takes place on Sunday afternoons. 17 dates dot the track’s ’26 schedule, with a planned opener May 10. The track will host their annual “Battle @ Buckaroo” event July 3 and 4 in a non-points event. Built into the track’s schedule is a rainout provision. If the track encounters two or more rainouts, Little Buckaroo will host a doubleheader makeup race date on August 30. To learn more about Little Buckaroo, check out the track’s Facebook page. GPS address is W3981 Korth Road in Cecil, WI.
Lawn mower races are an added attraction on Wednesday nights at GSR Kartway.
GSR KARTWAY, Clintonville, WI. Another eighth-mile, clay oval that hosts weekly kart and lawn mower racing on Wednesday nights. Brandon & Sarah Blashe run the show during the summer months. 21 dates dot GSR’s 2026 season schedule. The season kicks off Wednesday, May 13.
Highlights on GSR’s season schedule include a fireworks display on July 1, a two-day motorcycle special August 1 & 2, and the 5th annual Badger 50 Sept. 26 with a Sept. 27 raindate, if needed. To learn more about GSR you can follow their Facebook page or check out their website gsrkartway.com. GPS address is N11028 US Highway 45, Clintonville, WI.
WEBSITES OF TOURING SERIES TO FOLLOW:
dirtkingstour.com
msasprints.com
starsnationaltour.com
tundrasuperlates.com