The Scoop
ARNESON GETS SEAT TIME & FAMILY TIME IN FLORIDA
Posted on: Wednesday March 15, 2023
Oconto Falls, Wisconsin’s “Dancin’ Lance” Arneson got some pre-season seat time racing in southern Florida. (photo courtesy of IMCA TV)
The month of February often provides the perfect getaway for Wisconsin racers and race fans.
Such was the case for IMCA modified veteran “Dancin’ Lance” Arneson of Oconto Falls. Last month Arneson loaded up his No. 75 IMCA modified and with his son Greyson headed to Florida for the inaugural running of the “Clash On The Coast” February 26 thru March 4.
The week of racing took place at Southern Raceway in Milton, Florida. The track is a 3/8 oval located in southern Florida. The other racetrack that was part of the “Clash On The Coast” was Northwest Florida Speedway in Baker, Florida. Both clay ovals resembled Wisconsin dirt ovals (one still in existence and one now defunct) that Arneson his made laps on in the past. “I would say Northwest was more like 141 Speedway while Southern (Speedway) was more like Oshkosh (now defunct Sunnyview Speedzone Raceway),” Arneson pointed out. “The surface for both tracks were different – red clay and sandy.”
Greyson is nine and since he was old enough to pick up a tool has showed a genuine interest in helping dad with anything he can with his racing operation. “(Greyson) changes gears and does anything else I ask him to do on the car,” said Lance Arneson. “For his age I’d say he’s pretty well rounded.”
Greyson has many reasons to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty whenever the opportunity arises. Greyson has been racing himself for a few years already – both in the local karting scene and on the rapidly growing series with the off road UTV’s.
Joining the Arneson’s on the southern road trip were Patrick and Corbyn Wassenberg.
“Corbyn is 11 and they race in the off-road series with us as well,” Arneson said. “We always make it fun on these road trips. And it’s always good to go out of town and get as much seat time as you can before your local season starts up. You can try different setups and things.”
Arneson raced and qualified for the feature on Saturday night and posted a mid-pack finish. “We were able to make progress and move forward every night,” Arneson explained. “Problem was they were usually taking the top two or three to transfer to the feature and when I drew for my starting spot for the heats I usually didn’t draw very well.”
Nine-year-old Greyson Arneson helps change a flat tire on the team trailer.
No long-distance trip wouldn’t be complete without some sort of obstacles and the Arneson crew ran into just that with a pair of flat tires on their enclosed trailer. When Wal Mart couldn’t deliver the Arneson’s changed the damaged rubber in 20 minutes time, and they were quickly back out on the road. The weather was awesome, and we had a beach day we snuck in in the middle of the week made it an awesome family trip,” Arneson said.
Arneson’s 2023 racing plans again will be to bounce around with his IMCA modified at the local ovals, including many Saturday nights at Shawano Speedway on the half-mile. Greyson will remain busy between his karting and off-road experiences. It’s safe to say you’ll very likely see him racing full sized, oval stock cars someday down the road.
Arneson’s 2023 marketing partners include Luisier Drilling and Water Systems, Custom Metal Specialist, Razor Chassis, Real Race Wheels, NHC Custom Home Building, Wouter’s Sports Bar, Kozak Supply Inc., Holtger Brothers Inc., K and E Sales and Service & Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services.