The Vault
THE VAULT – THE “PINECASTLE 29” AND THE JACK PETERS/PAUL KACZROWSKI DEPERE/SEYMOUR FEUD FROM 1975
Posted on: Tuesday November 2, 2021
(This is one of the chapters from the book “Life In The Past Lane – a history of stock car racing in northeastern Wisconsin from 1950-1980” and can be purchased at this website. Back in 1975 the author was six years old and attended Seymour that year with his parents.)
CHAPTER TITLE – “The Pinecrest 29”
This article appeared in the Sun-Times on March 8, 1975
DRIVERS SELECT SEYMOUR FOR SUNDAY RACING
Seymour – With the raising of 29 hands, a stock car war that was growing blossomed out.
The “Pinecastle 29” fearless drivers with the threat of suspension at two tracks, voted Monday evening at the Pinecastle to race at Paul’s Seymour Speedway on Sunday night. Six other drivers were present but took no part in the voting.
Last year Seymour had Wednesday night racing, Shawano – Saturday and De Pere – Sunday. This year it’s Shawano on Saturday, De Pere (so far) on Sunday and rebel Seymour on Sunday.
Jack Peters, promoter at De Pere said that he, along with Charlie O’Brien, Shawano promoter, will place a season long suspension on ay driver who competes at Seymour on Sunday night. Very interesting.
The conflict arises from the shabby racing conditions at De Pere and the fact that many drivers have no love for Peters and his “I don’t give a damn methods”, (as demonstrated by his proposed ban).
Drivers indicated to Seymour racing Czar Paul Kaczrowski their dissatisfaction with Peters and the track conditions causing more damage to their cars than they receive in payoff money. Apparently the large crowds at De Pere do not compensate for unhappy racing.
Kaczrowski received requests from drivers for Sunday night racing. Thus far the Czar has commitments from top drivers like JJ Smith of Appleton; Pete Parker of Kaukauna (the Black Baron) and Roger Paul (The Flying Farmer) for Sunday night racing. He also has commitments from three of the top drivers from Eau Claire. Leon Plank, Tom Steuding and Red Steffen.
When it came to choosing which track to race at on Sundays in 1975 J.J. Smith and car owner Gene Wheeler supported the brash promoter Paul Kaczrowski and his program at Seymour Speedway. (Vercauteren family photo)
At the meeting the Czar was questioned by drivers on the obvious Sunday conflict and why not another night? Kaczrowski said that was the only night when you can get the TOP drivers and cars. They race at other tracks on other nights and the crowds go where the cars and drivers are. The Czar emphasized the importance of top drivers and cars and where they’re at as the reason what gets paid off in point money.
Another reason for the affirmative vote was the Czar will guarantee a $2,800 purse ($7 a point) or 50 percent of the gate, whichever is greater.
The Czar will also have a point fund and will award a trip to Florida for Daytona Speedweek to the top driver and car owner and their wives. In addition he said he will promote five major events carrying $5,000 purses. He said, however, he plans none of these on Saturday night, thus avoiding conflict of dates with Shawano.
The Czar noted “We will have the best racing in the area right here in Seymour.”
Paul told the drivers that the Seymour track had been reworked for this year with 2,000 yards of clay being added, increasing the banking in the one-two turns from seven degrees to 29 degrees and in the three and four turns from nine degrees to 30 degrees. “This will give us safer and faster racing,” he said.
The drivers are all aware about the promotional ability of the Czar but what concerns them most was Jack Peters threats of banishment at the Shawano track. It was obvious that if they race at Seymour on Sunday they won’t be around De Pere the same night to worry about Jack. It was Shawano that matters and what happens if they get involved in discriminating practices.
Kaczrowski had his attorney at the meeting who explained how legally they cannot be barred from another track because they drove on another track. That’s like banning a shopper from one store because he shopped at another.
They attorney told the group “Why in the hell get a bunch of lawyers mixed into it when it’s you that makes the decisions.”
He said “You guys won’t need me when you’re correct in your field.” He also mentioned that all the tracks are on governmental property and they come under the discriminating federal laws of 1954.
The drivers voted openly by raising their hands to race in Seymour on Sunday.
One driver who was there, Roger Regeth (The Bear) of Kaukauna, was already committed to the May 4th race at De Pere. He didn’t vote. He was track champion the last year at De Pere. May 4th is also opening date for the Seymour Speedway. The Bear and most of the drivers that race either at De Pere or Seymour will be at Shawano for their opening date on Saturday, May 10. The Bear mentioned that he’ll see if Shawano throws out JJ and the rest of them. Regeth is not committed to De Pere after the first week.
Roger “The Bear” Regeth, standing next to car builder Mike Randerson, committed to Jack Peters program at the Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere in 1975 where he dominated weekly action en route to a track title. (Vercauteren family photo)
Apparently the questions now are:
- For Jack Peters to come up with an attorney that gives better advice or for him to keep his mouth shut.
- For De Pere to change to another night (Wednesdays is open).
- Whether the Shawano track will be willing to take on Peters woes and miseries when they are unbothered?
- Will Shawano turn away top drivers at their gate and how will the fans react to it?
Come May 4th we will play the counting game.