The Scoop
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE ’22 SEASON
Posted on: Thursday December 16, 2021
With the new “5-10-32” book printed and in circulation I’ve now got a little more time to devote to writing about some real “racing news” again so we’ll get right to it!
As we close the curtain on the 2021 season and look forward to 2022 many are chirping about concerns of the sport of short track racing. Rising fuel costs, combined with a collective work ethic in our country that has very seriously eroded lend credence that these concerns are in fact legit.
Economics 101 has taught us all that rising fuel costs generally lead to an increase in most everything. Will racers pay more for fuel, chassis, parts, and just about everything else this off season? The answer is likely yes.
But let me assure you fans all hope is not lost. I vividly remember in the mid to late 1970’s when the energy crunch hit the United States. There was a lot of doom and gloom. Gas shortages had a trickle -down effect and (at least in northeastern Wisconsin) racetracks closed and only the strong survived.
While I’m no expert I am here to tell you to (Aaron Rodgers style) to R-E-L-A-X. Our sport will survive – this is just another cycle we need to soldier through. The successful racetrack and series promoters will be the ones who make smart decisions with regards to things like scheduling events, coming up with effective tire management, affordable ticket pricing and so on and so forth.
The song by REO Speedwagon titled “Roll With The Changes” may be the true theme song for short track racing in the Midwest in 2022. The show will go on.
With that said – here’s an update on a few things.
On the local dirt late model scene as expected Jayden Schmidt will move up the IMCA modified class in 2022. The third-generation racer from Seymour wound up fourth in IMCA’s national northern sportmod division, scoring nine feature wins along the way.
Third-generation racer Jayden Schmidt will move up to the IMCA modified class in 2022. (danlewisphoto.net)
After racing a dirt late model for the past few seasons and Green Bay native Jared Siefert has put his late model up for sale. He’ll wheel a Tim Czarneski modified on a weekly basis in 2022 as well as pilot Cody Scray’s IMCA stock car in a handful of the big money special events.
Chilton’s Travis Hansen has made the switch to a Hughes chassis to battle in the area IMCA modified wards in ’22 while Luxemburg’s Craig Dorner will wheel a new Skyrocket chassis.
After hosting the 2021 event at a different venue in Manitowoc County the Luxemburg Racing Show will return to its original location at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds Expo building in 2022. Next year’s version of the off season gathering for racers will be held February 5. Vendors can call Derek Moede @ (920) 639 4455.
It’s good to see some of the track’s getting their schedules out a bit early this year. As expected, there will be no more World of Outlaw late model race at Outagamie Speedway in 2022. The Eric Van Iten Memorial will return to The Burg Speedway in Luxemburg in 2022 while The Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay will host a its Hall of Fame induction class for 2022 on June 25.
The four inductees include “Red” Roger Isaacson from Sister Bay, Algoma’s Craig Paque, “Revin Kevin” Sternard from Sturgeon Bay and another hometown driver Ray LeMieux.
Further north the “crate” or “economy” dirt late model class started by Eagle River Speedway promoter Pat Zdroik two seasons ago appears to be picking up steam. Nearby Tomahawk Speedway promoter Andrew Bartelt has announced he’ll be adding the USRA late models to his show, which would appear to boost the pool of available cars in the Northwoods. Although ERS does not have any of its divisions sanctioned the USRA late model rules are nearly identical to what ERS runs. One industry insider recently commented to me “when it comes to weekly dirt late model racing (the Eagle River Speedway late model rules) are exactly what we should be running. It’s the most affordable gig around.”
Shawano’s Aaron Reivitis joined the Eagle River Speedway late models in 2021. The “crate” or “economy” late model class continues to see steady growth in the northwoods.
Bartelt will continue to run his B mod program non-sanctioned while he will fly the WISSOTA banner for two of his divisions – the pure stocks and street stocks.
Veteran dirt track promoter Toby Kruse has partnered up with The Dump Bar and Grill and Cronies Promotions to host an IMCA sanctioned special “Duel At The Dam” September 29 thru October 1 at Beaver Dam Raceway.
An event flyer posted on social media lists IMCA modifieds, stock cars and sportmods competing along with Unified street stocks and legends. The announcement has raised a few eyebrows as BDR has traditionally not flown the IMCA banner at their third-mile, clay oval. You could almost call the program “141 South” as the event will be staffed primarily with folks who work at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek – a track of which Kruse is a partner in.
We want to send get well wishes out to a couple of our great friends in the racing community. IMCA modified and WIR late model driver Eddie Muenster continues to heal up from some serious medical issues that sidelined him for a bulk of the summer. Also “The Bear” Roger Regeth could use a few prayers and well wishes as he continues his health struggles as well.
On the pavement scene – Slinger Super Speedway has announced an “Elite 8” series which will host super late models with a $2,500-to-win payout and $400-to-start during those events. The series kicks off during the 75th season opener Sunday afternoon, April 24 at the “World’s Fastest Quarter-Mile.”
Speaking of increased pay on the pavement scene Gregg McKarns has announced that the ARCA Midwest Tour will host an 11-date schedule with three crown jewel events doling out $15,000 to the winner.
The heftier paying events are at Madison International Speedway for the Joe Shear Classic May 1, Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna for the Dixieland 250 August 2 and Dells Raceway Park September 3 for the Jim Sauter Classic.
Midwest Motorsports Racer’s Auctions will host the Auction and Trade Show January 7 and 8 at the former Shopko Hall location in Reedsburg. You can reach Gregg McKarns at 815 703 0285 for vendor information.
While TUNDRA super late models haven’t yet announced their ’22 schedule their season will kick off at WIR Saturday, May 14.
A six-date, 602 Outlaw late model tour has been created, with the first date kicking off April 10 at Dells Raceway Park. A pair of shows each will take place at DRP, Madison and Slinger. The 602 class was launched a few years back at DRP and the late model division features the outlaw-style bodies which more resemble a dirt late model.
To wrap it this one up we want to thank all the fans who’ve supported our latest book release “5-10-32 McBride, Parker & Anvelink. We’ve hit the number one spot on Amazon’s motorsports category and the support is much appreciated.
It’s the plan to keep up with a column of this nature with news and notes at least monthly during the “off season. We’ll continue driver features, including the popular “On The Record” segments and on occasion we’ll pull out an interesting relic from “The Vault.”
We do have room for another advertiser or two on the site. We’re averaging close to 10,000 different viewers on a monthly basis. You can email me at jverdegan2@gmail.com for more information.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!