Wisconsin International Raceway

Last updated • 4 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Wisconsin International Raceway (WIR)
WIROvals.jpg
1/4 mile oval and Figure 8 tracks, plus most of the 1/2 mile oval
Location Kaukauna, Wisconsin (town of Buchanan)
Coordinates 44°14′44″N88°15′37″W / 44.2455°N 88.2603°W / 44.2455; -88.2603
OpenedMay 30, 1964;60 years ago (1964-05-30)
Major eventsDixieland 250
Red, White and Blue State Championship Series
1/2 mile
Surfaceasphalt
Length0.50 miles (0.80 km)
Turns4 plus dogleg on frontstretch
Race lap record18.706 (Ty Majeski, , 2021, Super late model [1] )
1/4 mile
Surfaceasphalt
Length0.25 miles
Figure 8
Surfaceasphalt
Drag strip
Surfaceasphalt
Bankingflat

The Wisconsin International Raceway (abbreviated WIR) is an asphalt stock car racing oval and dragstrip in the Town of Buchanan, in Outagamie County, just outside Kaukauna, Wisconsin, USA.

Contents

History

Wisconsin International Raceway originally opened as KK Sports Arena, a nod to its location on County Trunk Highway KK, [2] and opened its maiden season on May 30, 1964, [3] with a single quarter-mile oval dirt track. A half mile D-shaped [4] dirt track was inaugurated on August 1, 1965 with motorcycle races, [5] [6] by which time a figure-8 dirt track had been established inside the quarter-mile oval. Its paved drag strip opened on June 5, 1966. [7] The half mile track was paved in 1968. [2]

The name of the racing complex was changed to Wisconsin International Raceway on March 9, 1971. [8]

Oval track

There are six divisions at the track. [4] The Super Late Model and Late Model divisions race on the half-mile track. [4] The Super Stocks, Sport 4's (stock four cylinders modified for racing), and Wisconsin Sport Trucks [4] [9] divisions race on the quarter-mile track. The Figure 8 cars end programs on the Figure 8 track inside of the quarter-mile. [4] An automated timing and scoring system was set up for the 2007 season, and each race car carries a transponder.

The Fox River Racing Club began helping promote the weekly events in 1975.

Special events

2014 ARCA Midwest Tour race ARCA Midwest Tour at Wisconsin International Raceway August 2014.jpg
2014 ARCA Midwest Tour race

The track had an annual American Speed Association event when the sanctioning body was in existence. The track resumed hosting ASA events after the series was reorganized, and it held an event in 2007 for the ASA Midwest Tour. That event, the Dixieland 250, is now part of the ARCA Midwest Tour schedule and is one of the most prestigious events on the calendar, [10] attracting NASCAR champions Kevin Harvick and Ron Hornaday Jr. in 2009 and Kyle Busch in 2017. The race was part of the NASCAR Midwest Series between 1998 and 2004 and had 13 races under NASCAR banner. Earlier the USAC Stock Car series had raced at the track. [11]

The track has hosted an annual Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series for super late models since 1972. [12] The series consist of three races in June (red), July (white), and August (blue). [12] The series changed from Saturday nights to Thursday nights to combine with the weekly series in 2009. [12] The series was part of the Midwest Challenge Series (formerly ARTGO) and later part of the Wisconsin Challenge Series. 7,832 people watched Dick Trickle win the first red race. [12]

ASA National Tour ran a race at the facility in 2002. The race was won by Kevin Cywinski.

Notable drivers

Dick Trickle pavilion in Turn 2 Wisconsin International Raceway Dick Trickle Pavilion in Turn 1 to 2.jpg
Dick Trickle pavilion in Turn 2

All drivers listed later competed in NASCAR nationally-sanctioned events

Trickle carved enough of a legacy that the track dedicated the Dick Trickle Pavilion in Turn 2. Joe Shear won the Red, White, and Blue series 1979, 1987, and 1988. [15]

Track champions

Year Super late model Super StockSizzlin' 4sFigure 8
1975Rich Somers
1976Larry Schuler
1977Jerry "Medina" SmithKenny Van Wychen
1978Rich SomersRick Zieler
1979 Alan Kulwicki Tom Munes
1980 Alan Kulwicki Tom Munes
1981 Jim Sauter Randy Rahn
1982Terry BaldryDave Uttecht
1983Terry BaldryRandy Rahn
1984Terry BaldryRandy Rahn
1985 Scott Hansen Dan Gracyalny
1986 Scott Hansen Jeff Beschta
1987 Scott Hansen Dan Gracyalny
1988 Scott Hansen Dan Gracyalny
1989 Scott Hansen Terry Van Roy
1990J. J. SmithTerry Van RoyDan Gracyalny
1991 Lowell Bennett Terry Van RoyDan Gracyalny
1992Jim WeberTerry Van RoyTerry Van Roy
1993Terry BaldryTerry Van RoyRick Kaufert
1994 Matt Kenseth Terry Van RoyTerry Van Roy
1995 Matt Kenseth Chris LaRocqueTerry Van Roy
1996Mark SchroederChris LaRocqueDan Gracyalny
1997Terry BaldryMike RahnTerry Van Roy
1998 Lowell Bennett Randy Van RoyDan Gracyalny
1999Terry BaldryTerry Van RoyRandy Thiemer
2000Terry BaldryChris LaRocqueTerry Van Roy
2001Terry BaldryTerry Van RoyTerry Van Roy
2002Terry BaldryTerry Van RoyTerry Van Roy
2003Terry BaldryAndy CasavantJeff Beschta
2004Terry BaldryAndy CasavantBryan MondayTerry Van Roy
2005Rod Wheeler [16] Andy CasavantPhil VerboomenDonald Van Camp
2006Tim RotheRandy Van RoyNick BoldtDonald Van Camp
2007Tim RotheGreg HauserScott VerboomenTerry Van Roy
2008Jeff Van Oudenhoven [12] Greg Hauser
Andy Casavant
Tom SchweitzerJeff Wohlrabe
2009Jeff Van OudenhovenTodd BaumanTim RichterTerry Van Roy
2010Terry BaldryGreg Hauser
Andy Casavant
Wayne SonkowskyDan Gracyalny
2011Jeff Van OudenhovenGreg Hauser
Andy Casavant
Cody KippenhanDan Gracyanly
2012 Lowell Bennett Dylan WenzelCory RomeneskoCraig Vandewettering
2013Jeff Van OudenhovenDylan WenzelEthan BeattieJared Baughman
2014 Lowell Bennett Greg HauserWayne SonkowskyCraig Vandewettering
2015 Lowell Bennett Schwalback/Van RoyMike KleinCraig Vandewettering
2016Jeff Van OudenhovenDyaln WenzelMike KleinCraig Vandewettering
2017Andy MondayDylan WenzelDan ThomsonCraig Vandewettering
Terry Van Roy
2018Casey JohnsonRachel MeyerhoferAndy MillerCraig Vandewettering
2019Casey JohnsonWayne Sonkowsky
Greg Hauser
Emery Beattie
Evan Beattie
Mike Meyerhofer Jr
2020Bobby KendallShane KruegerScott WolfNick Osberg
2021Maxwell SchultzMitch Meyerhofer
Josh Mueller
Emery Beattie
Ethan Beattie
Terry Van Roy
2022Dalton zehrMitch Meyerhofer
Josh Mueller
Justin FickelRuss Lorbiecki
2023Sawyer EffertzGeorge SchwalbachMitchel OpsahlMike Meyerhofer Jr.
2024Chad ButzMike KingEli SchommerJordan Gracyalny

Dragstrip

Looking down the drag strip WIRDragStrip.jpg
Looking down the drag strip

The dragstrip is a 1/4 mile paved track. It is one of three operating dragstrips in Wisconsin.

Weekly divisions

There are six weekly divisions that compete on Saturday nights: Top Eliminator Class, Hot Rod Eliminator, Street Eliminator, Pro-Bike and Snowmobile, Street Bike, and Junior Dragsters.

Eve of Destruction

The track has hosted an annual "Eve of Destruction" each September since 1993 and it is the track's annual season finale for the oval track. The Eve of Destruction is one of the biggest events hosted at track, as the 10,000 seat raceway is generally packed. [17] Drivers compete in a variety of unusual events such as chain races (two cars are chained together), spin to win (race backwards and then spin around forward for the finish), trailer races (part of the trailer must remain intact to continue racing), etc. In between races, fans are entertained by stunt car drivers. Ten school buses compete in a survival-of-the-fittest competition, where the last bus standing wins. Track owner Roger Van Daalwyk described the Eve of Destruction: "We kind of wreck everything." [18] During the 2017 Eve of Destruction, a local driver died from injuries sustained in a figure-eight race. [19]

Media

Further reading

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References

  1. "Apel wins TUNDRA opener at WIR". The Post-Crescent . Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  2. 1 2 Verdegan, Joe (2015). Life in the Past Lane: A History of Stock Car Racing in Northeast Wisconsin from 1950 - 1980 (1st ed.). Green Bay, Wisconsin: M&B Global Solutions Inc. p. 78. ISBN   978-1-942731-15-3.
  3. "New Track to Open Saturday". The Post-Crescent. 1964-05-29. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Goff, Tom (2009-05-26). "Get Your Motor Running". The Post Crescent.
  5. "Top Cyclists Will Appear at Kaukauna". Manitowoc Herald-Times. 1965-07-29. p. 14. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  6. Grubba, Dale (2000). The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing. Oregon, Wisconsin: Badger Books. p. 45. ISBN   1-878569-67-8.
  7. "KK Sports Arena Opens Sunday". The Sheboygan Press. 1966-06-04. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  8. "K-K alters name, to open April 4". The Daily Tribune. 1971-03-10. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  9. Wisporttrucks.com
  10. Eberly, Brian. "Stacked entry list highlights Dixieland 250 at Wisconsin International". Short Track Scene. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  11. "Bay Darnell race results". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Goff, Tom (2009-05-28). "Thunder and Lightning". The Post Crescent. pp. B-1, B-5.
  13. Grubba, Dale (2000). The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing. Oregon, Wisconsin: Badger Books. p. 201. ISBN   1-878569-67-8.
  14. "Dave Watson, Larry Schuler to Sign Books at Midwest Motorsports Racers' Expo | Midwest Motorsports Racers' Expo". midwestracersauction.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  15. Grubba, Dale (2000). The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing. Badger Books Inc. p. 205. ISBN   1-878569-67-8 . Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  16. Appleton Post-Crescent newspaper, May 21, 2006, Racing Report (page B-8)
  17. The Post-Crescent, September 16, 2006, "Crash fans covet Eve of Destruction" (page A1)
  18. The Post-Crescent, September 16, 2006, "Crash fans covet Eve of Destruction" (page A3)
  19. Behr, Madeline. "Driver killed at Wisconsin International Raceway remembered as 'all-around good guy'". The Post-Crescent . Retrieved 6 November 2018.