News for the Month of January

Dirt Racing

Wissota Late Models will join the IRA Sprint Cars at Luxemburg Speedway for a double header weekend Saturday June 14th This will be the first time the IRA Sprint cars have been to the track in more than 6 year. Press Release (01-30-03)

Brian Bruechert Racing team will be showing their IMCA stock car at the Wisconsin Motorsports Show in Milwaukee this coming weekend on behalf of Shawano Speedway. The team was contacted late Thursday night and the car hasn't been worked on since the last race of the season. Brian Bruechert (01-26-03)

Luxemburg Speedway held their banquet to crown their 2002 champions Saturday evening. Full story. (01-26-03)

A new Paul Pittman article has been uploaded to Wirphotos.net. (01-14-03)

News from www.irasprints.com - As preparations continue for the upcoming 2003 season, the Osborn/Mock Race Team is excited to announce the addition of 22-year-old driver Mike Kertscher from Fredonia, WI to the stable. Teaming up with 2 time IRA Champion Kim Mock, Kertscher hopes to strike the same combination that brought Charley Osborn the IRA Rookie of the Year title in 2000. Kertscher, a former champion in go-kart and mini-sprint competition, graduated from the Eastern Wisconsin Super Modified ranks where he was a Rookie of the Year title holder there. Kertscher did compete in selected events during the 2002 Bumper to Bumper IRA season with support from the Osborn/Mock team. Kertscher will be piloting a Maxim powered by Wesmar Racing Engines with AFCO shocks and Hoosier Racing Tires. Plans for the 2003 season include the complete Bumper to Bumper IRA schedule with selected World of Outlaw and various other special events. Kertscher will be stepping in for Charley Osborn, allowing Charley to focus on matters at home including his graduation from UW-Whitewater in May 2003. After graduation, Osborn intends to enter into the family business (Osborn & Son Trucking) full time which will include trips to the East Coast. Mike Kertscher official site IRA Sprints (01-14-03)

Fox Ridge Speedway will host the World of Outlaws sprints on Tuesday June 10th. The track is located between La Crosse and Eau Claire in Western Wisconsin. Look for a possible 2004 IRA date at Fox Ridge. Also, Powercom Park in Beaver Dam now has a 2nd WOO show scheduled for Tuesday April 22. The other Powercom WOO race is now Wednesday July 9th, bumped back a day from it's original July 10th date. Wisconsin will hold 4 World of Outlaws races in 2003 - two in Western WI and two in the east. Just two years ago, the closest events were at Cedar Lake Speedway by the Minnesota border and Route 66 Speedway in Joliet, IL. Fox Ridge Speedway Powercom Park World of Outlaws (01-14-03)

In addition to the WOO race (read above), Fox Ridge Speedway will open the 2003 season on April 18. The NTPA tractor pull is June 7. USMTS Modified special is scheduled for July 18 and August 15. Wissota storms to the track in August with a sprint night on the 8th and the late model challenge series on the 19th. Finally, the 3rd annual Thunder at the Ridge takes place October 3-4. See the complete schedule at Fox Ridge Speedway (01-14-03)

Refusing first time claims in the Modified, Sprint and Stock will cost the teams a lot more for the 2003 season. If a modified or sprint team refuses a claim they will now face a $2,000 dollar fine and a suspension of between 30 and 60 days. First-time refusals for the Stock Car class goes from $1,000 to $1,500 and the suspension extends from 30 to 45 days. A total of 414 engine claims were accepted at I.M.C.A.-sanctioned events in 2002. IMCA (01-10-03)

The Powercom Speed Zone, Oshkosh announced today that because of unusually mild and inclement weather, the decision has been made to cancel the February 1st and 2nd PROSTAR Racing Series sanctioned event. Chasin Racin (01-03-03)

UMP Summernationals to run 24 tracks in 27 days in 2003. The UMP makes two stops to Wisconsin and they happen to be the first of the 24 stops, June 23 Shawano (Wis.) Speedway ($10,000 to win) and June 24 Hales Corners (Wis.) Speedway ($6,000 to win). Who Won (12-28-02)

Promoters of the new Thunder Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay have announced an informational meeting Wednesday, January 15 for the upcoming 2003 season. PR (01-08-03)

 

Asphalt Racing

We are hearing some very interesting news as far as some driver changes at WIR in the late model class. We are checking with a few people to see if there is some truth to this rumor. If we find the rumor to be true we will release the information. (01-29-03) UPDATE: We were told by team sources that there is no truth to any of this. (01-31-03)

Weaver Auto Parts will continue their sponsorship of the Super Late Model division at Madison International Raceway in 2003. The Weaver Auto Parts Late Model division is the top division that races every Friday night at "Wisconsin´s Fastest Half Mile." Chasin Racin (01-30-03)

Fox River Racing Club Meeting notes: The first 2 Thursday of the 2003 season will be run on Sunday evenings. The Four cylinder class will be added to the 2003 list of divisions, they will be called the Sizzlers. The pit gate will be going up to 15 dollars per pit pass. Mitch Hemlich was nominated for treasuer, he was not at the meeting, but it was stated he said he would accept. It was mentioned that there was interest to have a car show at Bay Park Square Mall, not sure if this is correct. Some major set backs have hit some teams this season as 4 teams have lost major sponsorship, check our 2003 drivers plans page out for more information. (01-27-03) UPDATE: After the meeting there was a seperate meeting for the Figure 8 drivers, have heard nothing about this as far as what the meeting was about. Many thought there might be a stipulation that they have to have so many cars at the track every week for the division to be around. (01-28-03) UPDATE: Supposely there were only some rules changes made for the Figure 8 cars. (01-30-03)

Some rumors from Norway Speedway that have been sent our way. Bob Menor will run the 2003 season at Norway with the car that he bought from Don Dix. Supposely Bob Menor's son Adam who has raced in the 4 cylinder class will also run a late model this year. It was rumored that there might be 2-3 nights of racing during the fair this year with some pretty high payouts some of those nights. (01-28-03)

When Rod Wheeler hits the track in 2003 he won't be carrying Time Warner Sponsorship, apparently they are moving there sponsorship to lower cost racing. Rumor has it the sponsorship maybe heading to a father son team that races IMCA Modifieds. JJ Smith and team have lost sponsorship from Allied Fireplace, JJ mentioned that no work has been done to the car and are unsure of what there 2003 plans will be. (01-28-03)

We read at the Wisconsin Sport Trucks website that retired racer Hank Calmes was seriously injured. We have learned that Hank took a 20 foot fall and has major spinal damage. Our thoughts go out to Hank and the Calmes Family. (01-19-03) UPDATE: We have been told that Hank had done damage to his Spinal Column, but has been released from the hospital and is back home. (01-28-03)

Hawkeye Downs Speedway has scheduled two open wheel events in 2003. Both races will take place in June and one may be nationally televised. Hawkeye Downs Speedway's first open wheel event of 2003 will be a USAC Sprint and Midget doubleheader on Friday, June 6. Three weeks later, on Friday, June 27, Hawkeye Downs will host the winged outlaw sprint cars of the HOSS (Hoosier Outlaw Super Sprints) series. ASA Racing (01-21-03)

Bob Fish Pontiac will be sponsoring a new young driver for the 2003 season. Behind the wheel of the Bob Fish sponsored Pontiac Grand Prix will be Travis Dassow. LTN Radio (01-19-03)

FRRC teams if you haven't summitted your 2003 race plans to us and would like to feel free to send them to Corey. We have gathered quite a bit of information on most of the teams. We hope to fill the chart up the rest of the way. (01-16-03) For those of you wondering about the teams who haven't submitted information to us yet, we expect to receive more information by the end of the month. Send the information in teams!! (01-19-03)

We are hearing that there is a good possibility that the Fox River Racing Club will be adding a new division. The new division would be a 4 Cylinder class that would run weekly. The class would also run special races during the Red, White and Blue series. There may also be a car show in Green Bay prior to the 2003 season, we took the first step and talked to a Green Bay establishment and they are very interesting in having a car show. The decision is the club's and this will be discussed at the January meeting coming up on the 27th. (01-13-03) UPDATE: We have been told the division has been added, at this time there isn't a name for the division, but it will be a 4 cylinder class. The thought behind adding this division is it will be a class that younger kids can afford to run, it is a step before the street stocks. At the up coming meeting the new division will be mentioned, but the main discussion will center around the possibility of a car show in Green Bay and the schedule. (01-17-03)

Madison International Speedway promoter, Roy Kenseth, has announced the Midwest Truck Series will have a title sponsor for the 2003 season. The series will now be called the Rockweiler Insulation Midwest Truck Series. Who Won (01-14-03)

There seems to be a lot of people asking who will be running late models at WIR, as this point there are 10 teams that have committed to running weekly. There are at least 9 more teams that you would think would be back, but we don't have any offical word from those teams yet. There are a couple more new teams that have expressed an interest, but have not decided on there plans yet. Most likely be around 21 cars weekly, it could be more, but some teams are looking at other tracks. Come opening night they could all end up being there. (01-09-03)

We have been told that at another Internet site that people have been asking if Jeremy Lepak will be racing at WIR. At a private test session at WIR with the Remax car, Remax team owner Dave Stammer mentioned they were going to be running fulltime Remax in 03. Late Model owner Jerry Schnieder stated that most likely Lepak would be in his car at WIR when it didn't conflict with the Remax Schedule. (01-09-03)

We understand that at least one team that finished in the top 5 in points at WIR is now planning on running Madison International Speedway weekly for the 2003 season. Another team is thinking about doing the very same thing, both of these teams are top 5 teams weekly. We have learned the reason they are planning to leave WIR is because of the new rules. This brings up a question, are the new rules that WIR has that bad or when a lot of the tracks were talking about having their rules similar and then backed out and did there own rules differently the problem? It almost seems like WIR was picked on or used, at a FRRC meeting representatives from two area tracks stated "We don't have our rules set we are just waiting to see what WIR does." More to come on this.... (01-05-03) UPDATE: It now appears that one of the two teams will be back at WIR in 03. There are reports of two others teams leaving, we are watching and checking for more information on this. Or in the end is this just a game of trying to get Club officials attention? (01-06-03)

After taking the Mid American Sport Truck champion Jeff Steenbergen announced a couple months ago that he was moving to the limited late model division. Jeff has the car all together and just finished painting the car with the 03 paint scheme. More at Jeffsteenbergen.com (01-01-03)

Touring Series

Rod Brewe and Brewe Crew Racing is planning on running a regional Nascar Touring series in 2004, they are currently looking for primary sponsorship to move to that level. more (01-30-03)

BGN Racing is hearing Rich Bickle might drive for the team to start the season. He has a superspeedway car, crew chief and crew for them but is just waiting for them to sign off on the deal. (01-24-03) UPDATE: BGN Racing is now reporting that Rich Bickle will NOT be in the car for Daytona. (01-30-03)

John Fisher will run in some Mid American events during the 2003 season driving a Bill Prietzel owned car. No word on how many races he will run, but sponsorship will come from Lynch Dealerships. (01-30-03)

Charle Hanna will run for Rookie of the Year in ASA for the 2003 season. Hanna has received associate sponsorship from Pro Fleet Trucking and New Paris (IN) Speedway for the upcoming 2003 season. He will once again drive for Berkey Motorsports. ASA Racing (01-29-03)

Ron Wimmer the father of Scott and Chris Wimmer was on LTN Radio this morning and released some information. Chris Wimmer will be running ASA fulltime this season. Chris will be moving down to North Carolina in a couple weeks and will be working out of a shop down there with a crew chief that has helped some Nascar drivers in the past. The Wimmer Racing team is actively looking for sponsorship for the #05 ASA car. You can listen to the show by going to ltnradionetwork.com sometime tonight when it should be archived. (01-26-03) 51 Sports Racing has an article about the Wimmer Racing operation moving south. (01-29-03)

You can listen to an interview with David Stremme at ASA racing by clicking here. ASA Racing (01-28-03)

Nascar has moved around there Nascar Touring Series into a Elite Division, the International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series has joined NASCAR Elite Division. Nascar Touring (01-28-03)

David Stremme will run be back with Go Go Motorsports and the same crew he had in 02. Meijer will return as the main sponsor for the team. ASA Racing (01-25-03)

There is a pre entry list for the Nascar Southwest Series season opener at Phoenix. Currently there are three drivers from the International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series they are Eddie Hoffman, Tim Schendel and Erik Darnell. Nascar Touring (01-25-03)

Bond Suss has resigned his position with ASA and instead will be working with Country Joe Homes racing this season. Stockcar Fans (01-20-03) UPDATE: Bond Suss will return to Country Joe Racing to be crew chief for team owners son Joey Miller. Joey will run in MARS, Mid Am Sport Trucks, ASA International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series, Sunoco Super Series, Elko Speedway and other area tracks. ASA Racing (01-24-03)

BGN Racing is reporting that Joey Clanton will drive for Brewco Motorsports for approximately 25 races this season in the Busch Grand National Series. It appears the sponsorship will come from TrimSpa, who was going to sponsor Hank Parker Jr. (01-24-03)

Casey Smith will display his ASA car at Houston Auto Show. Chasin Racin (01-23-03)

Travis Kittleson has run parcial season in ASA the last two seasons, but this year he will be running the complete season in hopes of winning the Rookie of the Year honors. Travis and R/T Racing have received associate sponsorships from Bob Steele Chevrolet and Easy Care Service Contracts for the 2003 season. ASA Racing (01-23-03)

Nate Thiesse has left County Joe Racing to do his dream of being a race car driver. Nate will drive for RockMar Motorsports in the Nascar Southwest Series. ASA Racing (01-23-03)

Todd Kluever hopes his 2003 season goes as well as his 2002 season. The team ran the whole 2002 ASA schedule with only one car, the team has purchased a brand new lefthander. The team has hired Bruce Carlson as there crew chief, the TK2 Racing team ran most of the 02 season with no crew chief. ASA Racing (01-23-03)

Joe Shear Jr. has signed a 3 year deal to be crew chief for Mike Garvey. 51 Sports Racing (01-21-03)

Clint Bowyer will run for Rookie Of the Year honors in the 2003 Nascar International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series with sponsorship from Sonic Drive-In. Bowyer will have 2 cars at his disposel one being a former Brian Hoppe car and a brand new lefthander. Racin Boys (01-21-03)

BG Motorsports formed an agreement with Busch Grand National North driver Tracy Gordon to race full-time in the 2003 ASA Racing Series. The # 45 Red Line Oil sponsored Pontiac sponsored by Red Line Oil...more. ASA Racing (01-21-03)

Bobby Gill going ASA Racing in 2003? 51 Sports Racing is reporting that Bobby Gill is entertaining the thought of running ASA full time in 2003. (12-16-02) UPDATE: It does seem like Bobby Gill will be racing in ASA in 2003 as he has his Hooters cars listed for sale online. (12-30-02) UPDATE: Today 51 Sports Racing is reporting that Bobby Gill will be running ASA in 2003. (01-07-03) UPDATE: Hearing Bobby Gill may run both the Pro Cup and ASA series in 03. (01-14-03) UPDATE: Bobby Gill had Rotar Cuff Surgery and will be back to run USAR Hooters Cup in 2003. At this time Bobby has not decided if he will race in the North or the South series. Bobby would like to run ASA, but that will depend upon sponsorship. Karnac (01-19-03)

Bryan Reffner will be running ASA full time in 2003 with his own team. Bryan is setting up shop in Steven's Point, WI and will have sponsorship from Menards Stores. LTN Radio (01-12-03) UPDATE: Bryan Reffner and his wife have moved back to Wisconsin and are in the process of building ASA cars in preperation for a full season of ASA Racing..more. ASA Racing (01-21-03)

When the Yellow Book USA Mid-Am Super Truck Series opens at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids Friday night, May 2 there will be many new faces and some faces missing. Jeff Steenbergen has moved up to the late model ranks while Mark Eberhart has sold his truck and is expected to move up to the Mid Am divison in 03. There will be a FOUR truck team running the full Mid Am truck schedule with drivers; John Vig, Jr, Jerry Anderson, Brad Blencker and ASA driver Joey Miller. Those are only a handful of the many new faces in the Mid Am truck series for 2003. Schedule to be released late January. Who Won (01-13-03)

Although no formal announcement of Action Performance coming on board as title sponsor was made, reports of the partnership have circulated since late last year. Reports are circulating that three events on the announced 2003 schedule have been removed and that prospective series sponsor Action Performance will not take on that role. SpeedFX Almost sounds like the schedule was shortened because the title sponsor didn't want that long of a schedule. (01-12-03)

51 Sports Racing is reporting that 3 races have been taken off the 2003 schedule. The season will not be 17 races long instead of 20 races long. (01-10-03) UPDATE: The races that are in question are Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on March 29th, a May 4th stop at Memphis Motorsports Park and the May 31st date at Southern National Speedway in Kenley, N.C. SpeedFX (01-12-03)

We have put together a particial list of events that will be part of the 2003 "Remax Challenge Series" schedule. All of this information was gathered from each tracks website. (01-09-03) UPDATE: Have added another date today. (01-10-03) UPDATE: Nascar has announced that a new partnership has been formed with International Truck and Engine to take over the sponsorship of the Nascar Challenge Series. The new name of the Remax Challenge Series is 'The International Truck and Engine Midwest Series. The season will consist of 12 races started at Rockford Speedway on April 13th and ending on October 5th at LaCrosse. Nascar Touring (01-11-03)

Downey Racing announced today that Sunoco Super Series regular Brent Downey will compete on a partial basis with the ASA Racing Series in the upcoming 2003 season. Downey Racing recently purchased a Rander Car Chassis from the stables of Go-Go Motorsports that led David Stremme to 2002 ASA Rookie of the Year honors. Chasin Racin (01-10-03)

It was reported here a couple months ago that a team based out of Wisconsin would be running the full BGN schedule for 2003. The team is in the process of building a new shop. Apparently they have sponsorship to run the full schedule, they were planning on releasing some of that information around mid January, haven't heard anything yet. (01-09-03)

51 Sports Racing is reporting that Bill McGowan has been named crew chief for ASA driver Robby Pyle. Bill McGowan was Gary St. Amants crew chief for many years and had announced that he was not coming back as Gary's crew chief at the last race. (01-07-03)

After having an impressive 2002 Busch Series run Tim Sauter is now looking for a ride for 2003. AP Peformance Racing has shut down due to financial constraints. BGNRacing.com (01-06-03)

Wayne Anderson will race in the All Pro Series for the 2003 season for Aramendia Motorsports. The team has 5 cars and 8 new engines ready for action. Wayne Andererson (01-05-03)

The Mid American Series office is busy forming a new series that will utilize former Nascar Winston Cup cars. The new series will be called "Midwest Stock Car Classics," we are told there will be a article in the Milwaukee Journal on Friday January 3rd about this new series. The article is available here. (01-01-03)

The Mid American Series is in the process of finalizing three dates at the Milwaukee Mile for the 2003 season. (01-01-03)