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.
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]
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]
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.
Street Eliminators
Hot Rod Eliminators
Snowmobile vs. Pro-Bike
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]
Wisconsin International Raceway: Where the Big Ones Run!, Joe Verdegan. M&B Global Solutions, November 30, 2016, ISBN1942731248.
References
^"Apel wins TUNDRA opener at WIR". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
^ abVerdegan, 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. ISBN978-1-942731-15-3.
^"New Track to Open Saturday". The Post-Crescent. 1964-05-29. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
^"Dave Watson, Larry Schuler to Sign Books at Midwest Motorsports Racers' Expo | Midwest Motorsports Racers' Expo". midwestracersauction.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
^Grubba, Dale (2000). The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing. Badger Books Inc. p. 205. ISBN1-878569-67-8. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
^Appleton Post-Crescent newspaper, May 21, 2006, Racing Report (page B-8)
^The Post-Crescent, September 16, 2006, "Crash fans covet Eve of Destruction" (page A1)
^The Post-Crescent, September 16, 2006, "Crash fans covet Eve of Destruction" (page A3)
^Behr, Madeline. "Driver killed at Wisconsin International Raceway remembered as 'all-around good guy'". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wisconsin International Raceway.
Official website
Wisconsin International Raceway race results at Racing-Reference
Fox River Racing club official website
Wisconsin Sport Truck division website
Article on the Red, White, and Blue state championship series beginnings, accessed August 2006
February 09, 2023
wisconsin, international, raceway, coordinates, 2455, 2603, 2455, 2603, abbreviated, asphalt, stock, racing, oval, dragstrip, town, buchanan, outagamie, county, just, outside, kaukauna, wisconsin, mile, oval, figure, tracks, plus, most, mile, ovallocationkauka. Coordinates 44 14 44 N 88 15 37 W 44 2455 N 88 2603 W 44 2455 88 2603 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 Wisconsin International Raceway1 4 mile oval and Figure 8 tracks plus most of the 1 2 mile ovalLocationKaukauna Wisconsin town of Buchanan OpenedMay 30 1964 58 years ago 1964 05 30 Major eventsDixieland 250Red White and Blue State Championship Series1 2 mileSurfaceasphaltLength0 50 miles 0 80 km Turns4 plus dogleg on frontstretchRace lap record18 706 Ty Majeski 2021 Super late model 1 1 4 mileSurfaceasphaltLength0 25 milesFigure 8SurfaceasphaltDrag stripSurfaceasphaltBankingflat Contents 1 History 2 Oval track 2 1 Special events 2 2 Notable drivers 2 3 Track champions 3 Dragstrip 3 1 Weekly divisions 4 Eve of Destruction 5 Media 6 Further reading 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditWisconsin 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 EditThere 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 Super Late Model Lowell Bennett Late Model Doug Mahlik Super Stock sizzlin 4 s Figure 8 cars Wisconsin Sport TruckSpecial events Edit 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 Edit Dick Trickle pavilion in Turn 2 All drivers listed later competed in NASCAR nationally sanctioned events Lowell Bennett 1991 1998 and 2012 track champion 1999 2004 2009 and 2010 2012 Five Red White amp Blue championships Rich Bickle Scott Hansen 1985 89 track champion Matt Kenseth 1994 and 1995 track champion Todd Kluever Alan Kulwicki 1979 and 1980 track champion Doug Mahlik Ty Majeski Dave Marcis Mark Martin Red White and Blue champion Ted Musgrave 13 Robbie Reiser Jim Sauter 1981 track champion Tim Sauter Johnny Sauter Jason Schuler Dick Trickle seven Red White and Blue championships Dave Watson two Red White and Blue championships 14 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 Edit Year Super late model Super Stock Sizzlin 4s Figure 81975 Rich Somers1976 Larry Schuler1977 Jerry Medina Smith Kenny Van Wychen1978 Rich Somers Rick Zieler1979 Alan Kulwicki Tom Munes1980 Alan Kulwicki Tom Munes1981 Jim Sauter Randy Rahn1982 Terry Baldry Dave Uttech1983 Terry Baldry Randy Rahn1984 Terry Baldry Randy Rahn1985 Scott Hansen Dan Gracyalny1986 Scott Hansen Jeff Beschta1987 Scott Hansen Dan Gracyalny1988 Scott Hansen Dan Gracyalny1989 Scott Hansen Terry Van Roy1990 J J Smith Terry Van Roy Dan Gracyalny1991 Lowell Bennett Terry Van Roy Dan Gracyalny1992 Jim Weber Terry Van Roy Terry Van Roy1993 Terry Baldry Terry Van Roy Rick Kaufert1994 Matt Kenseth Terry Van Roy Terry Van Roy1995 Matt Kenseth Chris LaRocque Terry Van Roy1996 Mark Schroeder Chris LaRocque Dan Gracyalny1997 Terry Baldry Mike Rahn Terry Van Roy1998 Lowell Bennett Randy Van Roy Dan Gracyalny1999 Terry Baldry Terry Van Roy Randy Thiemer2000 Terry Baldry Chris LaRocque Terry Van Roy2001 Terry Baldry Terry Van Roy Terry Van Roy2002 Terry Baldry Terry Van Roy Terry Van Roy2003 Terry Baldry Andy Casavant Jeff Beschta2004 Terry Baldry Andy Casavant Bryan Monday Terry Van Roy2005 Rod Wheeler 16 Andy Casavant Phil Verboomen Donald Van Camp2006 Tim Rothe Randy Van Roy Nick Boldt Donald Van Camp2007 Tim Rothe Greg Hauser Scott Verboomen Terry Van Roy2008 Jeff Van Oudenhoven 12 Greg HauserAndy Casavant Tom Schweitzer Jeff Wohlrabe2009 Jeff Van Oudenhoven Todd Bauman Tim Richter Terry Van Roy2010 Terry Baldry Greg HauserAndy Casavant Wayne Sonkowsky Dan Gracyalny2011 Jeff Van Oudenhoven Greg HauserAndy Casavant Cody Kippenhan Dan Gracyanly2012 Lowell Bennett Dylan Wenzel Cory Romenesko Craig Vandewettering2013 Jeff Van Oudenhoven Dylan Wenzel Ethan Beattie Jared Baughman2014 Lowell Bennett Greg Hauser Wayne Sonkowsky Craig Vandewettering2015 Lowell Bennett Schwalback Van Roy Mike Klein Craig Vandewettering2016 Jeff Van Oudenhoven Dyaln Wenzel Mike Klein Craig Vandewettering2017 Andy Monday Dylan Wenzel Dan Thomson Craig VandewetteringTerry Van Roy2018 Casey Johnson Rachel Meyerhofer Andy Miller Craig Vandewettering2019 Casey Johnson Wayne SonkowskyGreg Hauser Emery BeattieEvan Beattie Mike Meyerhofer Jr2020 Bobby Kendall Shane Krueger Scott Wolf Nick Osberg2021 Maxwell Schultz Mitch MeyerhoferJosh Mueller Emery BeattieEthan Beattie Terry Van Roy2022 Dalton zehr Mitch MeyerhoferJosh Mueller Justin Fickel Russ LorbieckiDragstrip Edit 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 Edit 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 Street Eliminators Hot Rod Eliminators Snowmobile vs Pro BikeEve of Destruction EditThe 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 Edit Figure 8 racing source source source source source source Figure 8 racing at Wisconsin International Raceway 3 3 MB Problems playing this file See media help Further reading EditWisconsin International Raceway Where the Big Ones Run Joe Verdegan M amp B Global Solutions November 30 2016 ISBN 1942731248 References Edit Apel wins TUNDRA opener at WIR The Post Crescent Retrieved 6 November 2018 a b 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 amp B Global Solutions Inc p 78 ISBN 978 1 942731 15 3 New Track to Open Saturday The Post Crescent 1964 05 29 p 18 Retrieved 2021 03 28 a b c d e Goff Tom 2009 05 26 Get Your Motor Running The Post Crescent Top Cyclists Will Appear at Kaukauna Manitowoc Herald Times 1965 07 29 p 14 Retrieved 2021 03 28 Grubba Dale 2000 The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing Oregon Wisconsin Badger Books p 45 ISBN 1 878569 67 8 KK Sports Arena Opens Sunday The Sheboygan Press 1966 06 04 p 16 Retrieved 2021 03 28 K K alters name to open April 4 The Daily Tribune 1971 03 10 p 8 Retrieved 2021 03 28 Wisporttrucks com Eberly Brian Stacked entry list highlights Dixieland 250 at Wisconsin International Short Track Scene Retrieved 6 November 2018 Bay Darnell race results Ultimate Racing History Retrieved 5 February 2012 a b c d e Goff Tom 2009 05 28 Thunder and Lightning The Post Crescent pp B 1 B 5 Grubba Dale 2000 The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing Oregon Wisconsin Badger Books p 201 ISBN 1 878569 67 8 Dave Watson Larry Schuler to Sign Books at Midwest Motorsports Racers Expo Midwest Motorsports Racers Expo midwestracersauction com Retrieved October 5 2020 Grubba Dale 2000 The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing Badger Books Inc p 205 ISBN 1 878569 67 8 Retrieved 2008 10 13 Appleton Post Crescent newspaper May 21 2006 Racing Report page B 8 The Post Crescent September 16 2006 Crash fans covet Eve of Destruction page A1 The Post Crescent September 16 2006 Crash fans covet Eve of Destruction page A3 Behr Madeline Driver killed at Wisconsin International Raceway remembered as all around good guy The Post Crescent Retrieved 6 November 2018 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wisconsin International Raceway Official website Wisconsin International Raceway race results at Racing Reference Fox River Racing club official website Wisconsin Sport Truck division website Article on the Red White and Blue state championship series beginnings accessed August 2006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wisconsin International Raceway amp oldid 1129378284, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
