The Scoop
141, SHAWANO SPEEDWAYS AMONG LOCAL TRACKS OPENING THIS WEEKEND
Posted on: Thursday April 23, 2026
Nick Anvelink’s 2026 ride.
With Mother Nature’s blessing, a number of area race tracks will attempt to get their respective opening nights in. Here’s a sneak preview of what’s ahead:
DIRT KINGS/SHAWANO SPEEDWAY OPENER – Shawano Speedway will swing it’s gates open Saturday, April 25. The historic half-mile will play host to the Dirt Kings late model tour opener Spring Thaw. This will be the third attempt to get opening night in, as the two prior attempts were washed out.
Joining the Dirt Kings late models will be IMCA stock cars, modifieds, northern sportmods and sport compacts. Another guest division will be the local street stocks, which will make a very rare half-mile appearance. Among the expected late model entries is Navarino’s Nick Anvelink. The second-generation racer is Shawano Speedway’s all-time late model winner at the half-mile with 93 victories. Anvelink has also scored five Dirt King crowns, and also has picked up the most victories in the series.
Insiders point to an expected 18-20 car late model field Saturday night. Gates open at 4 p.m. with the first green flag flying at 6 p.m. Check the track’s FB page for additional information.
141 SPEEDWAY – The popular clay oval located in Francis Creek will swing it’s gates open Saturday, April 25. The season opener will be “Armed Forces” night, as $5 grandstand admission will be available for Active Duty service members and veterans with ID. Weekly divisions include IMCA modifieds, stock cars, northern sportmods, sport compacts, Unified Dirt Street Stocks and grand nationals.
141 boasts the highest weekly car counts in the Midwest. A 6 p.m. start time is on tap. Check 141speedway.com or the track’s Facebook page for more information.
PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK – Plymouth Dirt Track will host it’s season opening race Saturday, April 25 at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds. Divisions to be run for the third-mile, clay oval lid-lifter include MSA sprint cars, grand nationals, B mods and legends. Veteran second-generation announcer Eric Mueller returns to the mic at PDTR in ’26. A 6 p.m. start time is on tap.
LUXY RACEWAY – Luxy Raceway’s season opener is slated for Friday, April 24 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds. For opening night, an earlier 6:30 p.m. start time is slated. Weekly divisions include IMCA modifieds, stock cars, northern sportmods, sport compacts and Unified Dirt Street Stocks.
GRAVITY PARK USA – Gravity Park USA in Chilton hosts it’s season opening night Friday, April 24. New to Gravity Park USA in ’26 is the new late model LS division. They’ll be in action with grand nationals, stock cars, sportmods, A mods, Unified Dirt Street Stocks and 4 cylinders. A 7 p.m. start time is on tap.
OUTAGAMIE SPEEDWAY PRACTICE – Outagamie Speedway in Seymour will host an open practice session Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The practice is free for fans to attend, and is open to any and all divisions. The season opening race at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds is set for Friday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. Check outagamiespeedway.com or the track’s Facebook page for additional information.
TNT PRACTICE – TNT Speedway in Three Lakes will host a practice session at the third-mile, clay oval Sunday, April 26. Practice will take place from 2 p.m. til 6 p.m. The practice session is free for fans, and is open to drivers in any division.
PAVEMENT PONDERINGS – Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna will host it’s traditional Fox River Racing Club (FRRC) practice/tech day Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. til 4 p.m. The track will host it’s annual Pit Party Thursday, May 14 from 4 p.m. til 9 p.m. That Pit Party kicks off a long weekend of action on the oval. Friday, May 15 the Spring Classic will showcase on the quarter-mile with the debut of the new “Crown Vic” division. Saturday, May 16 the TUNDRA super late model series opener will hit the track. Racing begins at 2 p.m. The first “Thursday Night Thunder” race is slated for May 21.
ASA MT – 28 super late models are pre-entered for the season opening race at Slinger Super Speedway Sunday, April 26 for the ASA Midwest Tour’s season-opening event The Jerry Preisgen Memorial. Racing at the World’s Fastest quarter-mile kicks off at 2 p.m.