The Scoop
TRACK CONDITIONS, PROXIMITY TRUMP PAY IN DIRT RACER’S SURVEY
Posted on: Monday April 6, 2026
Dirt track racers in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan have ample opportunities to race at multiple dirt ovals during the summer months.
But what is it that drives teams to choose WHERE they race? We wanted to find out, and as such, quizzed more than 100 dirt racers in multiple classes in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. We asked them to rank five categories that factor into their decisions on where they tow their haulers to put on a show.
Those five categories included: Track conditions. Proximity to the track(s). Driver Pay. Efficiency of the program, and night of the week.
These are how those 100 drivers responded:
Track Conditions: 29
Proximity: 26
Track Efficiency/Well Run Show: 23
Night of the Week: 13
Driver Payout: 9
We also asked drivers if they planned on competing weekly for points racing in 2026. Of the 100 drivers polled, only ten indicated they planned on chasing a weekly, track points or series title in 2026. Only nine drivers listed Driver Payout as their main reason for choosing where to race. Interestingly enough, of those nine drivers who listed that as their main reason for choosing a track, seven of those drivers were late model drivers. The late model drivers who chimed in included both WISSOTA-style and USRA late model drivers.
Compare this to the 1970’s, for example. In the ’70’s, a $1,000-t0-win race would often draw the heavy hitters from Western Wisconsin and even Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. The pay itself was the main draw. Decades later, the game has changed tremendously. The technology of the cars, in some cases, has made the chassis’ very finicky – picky if you will. And as such, we see track conditions well above pay as a reason for where teams opt to compete.
Some of the drivers provided great, expanded reasons as to where and why they race. When it came to ditching weekly racing, the common theme was that chasing a weekly points title a) costs a lot of money b) is stressful c) needs a sizeable pit crew to get it done and d) often provides little more than a trophy and a jacket. Point funds are minimal these days, compared to what they were 20 or 30 years ago. That theme also goes along with certain sanctioning bodies, too. Let’s be honest – the allure of chasing a weekly track title has greatly diminished in recent years. If there was a big point fund or contingency package up for grabs, that could change things. But don’t look for that to change anytime soon.
Another factor that was brought up by teams and not from this ‘scribe himself was the “fun” factor. Drivers liked to race where their friends and family are. Makes perfect sense.
I’ve selected specific comments from some drivers who served up keen insight as to their decisions:
“I choose not to chase points. I’ve won championships in every division I’ve ever raced in, and it’s not worth it. You wind up spending way more than what you get out of it. Also, in a given year, there may only be 5-7 drivers that make it every night. I don’t see the point of competing against those 5-7 drivers. Then you wind up settling for a position instead of taking a chance to make a move for a win.”
Cody Schroeder, Manitowoc, WI
“Good track conditions is a reason I go back to a race track. I hate the follow the leader races. Multiple groove race tracks is a must have. Efficiency of the program is helpful, but I don’t think anyone wants to be racing at 11 p.m. but I’d rather have that because of a “farming session” than a single file, follow-the-leader feature. When it comes to pay, that’s the last factor for me. This sport is so expensive as it is. Even if you win your weekly feature, you are still losing money between tires, fuel and pit fees. The money definitely helps, but I do this for the fun of the sport. I’d probably still race even if there wasn’t any pay.”
Dustin White, Eagle River, WI
“I have chased points for the past seven years, but this year I will not be. More so going to tracks I have fun racing at. This year could be my last racing and I want it to be fun and not like a job as it is when you are points chasing.”
Shanon Guelette, Dyckesville, WI
“Yes, I do chase points but I’m not sure why and question my sanity over it.”
Brett Deprez, Green Bay, WI
“We stay Plymouth mainly because it’s close both for our team, and our sponsors are local. Also, with it being Saturday it gives us all day to finish the car and load up. We stopped chasing points too because I’ve been doing this for 29 years and I’ve found some other things to do on a Saturday in the summer.”
Matt Yancey, Sheboygan WI
“For me, since this is strictly for the enjoyment of racing and meeting really nice people, I would rank pay as my No. 1 factor. But not to win – what it pays to start. My goal is always to come as close to even for the evening as I can. I’d like to add that I tend to avoid races that have a draw fee as well. I don’t chase points simply because the payback really isn’t worth it.”
Bill Marcis, Wausau, WI
“I like the big paying shows, even $1,000-to-win. Anything else the pay is the least of my concerns or worries. I haven’t chased points in the past, I usually bounce around and race as much as I want and wherever I feel like. But this year, I’ll be back chasing points at Outagamie Speedway. I just want to size myself up against some of the best and see where I can be over the length of a full season.”
Mitchell Fairbank, Oshkosh, WI
“I would say pay is the first in line just due to the rising costs to operate a team. Enough money to win or start can overrule every other of the options in my opinion. When it comes to track conditions, I compare a track to a steakhouse. It could be an amazing 5 star restaurant. But if the steak is below average, you most likely won’t return. The same can be said about a track surface.”
Sammy Mars, Menominee, WI
“I don’t care about points racing. I tend to chase bigger money shows if available, and a well-run track with the most cars to stay sharp and get better.”
Travis Hansen, Chilton, WI
“Track proximity is a big factor for us as the cost to get to the track can be a real burden for race teams. For our family, we will have $250 in expenses each night for the race hauler fuel, track pit admission and food. And the night of the week is important due to that work/life balance.”
Jesse Aho, Twin Lakes, MI
“I race every Friday and Saturday night. Not for points necessarily, but it’s just what I do. One thing I don’t do is race some track’s specials where they raise the fees and add a draw fee. Menards has 11 % off but doesn’t charge me $11 extra to shop. When that happens, I lose four pit crew members and six fans in the stands. Anyways, the pay usually from fifth on down you often wind up with less pay than what you’d get on a regular points night.”
Dave Bouche, Algoma, WI
“I choose not to chase points mainly because I do not have much help during the week to prepare the car. Points racing in general can be very time consuming and costs a lot of money. I am fortunate enough to live within 45 minutes of six race tracks, yet I still choose not to chase points. There is also a lot of other stuff to do in the summer months. I choose to race when the car is 100 percent ready and when my family and friends want to go to the track.”
Nick Wunrow, Denmark, WI
“For me, it’s more enjoyable to travel and race in bigger shows than to commit to weekly racing. Weekly racing isn’t worth it. No real point fund. You get a jacket and a picture for a year’s worth of dedication and tons of money spent making sure the car is at the track every single week. The nostalgia of winning a points championship just isn’t there anymore in my opinion.”
Trent Nolan, Shawano, WI