141 SPEEDWAY TO KICK OFF NORTHEAST WISCONSIN RACING SEASON WITH POLAR PLUNGE APRIL 2
By Joe Verdegan
(Francis Creek, WI) March 13 - Six classes of cars will drop the hammer at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Saturday, April 2 as the high-banked, third-mile, clay oval will usher in the 2011 racing season in northeastern Wisconsin with the Polar Plunge beginning at 4 p.m.
The track will host it’s first points night of racing, with modifieds as the headlining class. The track will host weekly racing on Saturday nights in 2011, switching from Wednesday nights a year ago.
Green Bay’s Jared Siefert is geared up to defend his 2010 modified crown with a brand new GRT car at his disposal. Grand national sportsman ace TJ “The Kid” Smith, a senior at Menasha High School, will defend his division’s crown as well. “We’ve gotten a great response from this class so far this year, with some former asphalt guys switching their cars over,” said track promoter Bruce Conard. “We’re also happy with our new division sponsor coming on board Brian Peterson Builders, Inc Custom Homes and Remodeling of Kellnersville.”
Brillion’s Ryan Brandes is set to defend his street stock title, which will see a true mix of drivers from several area race tracks, including veteran “Rockin’ Randy” Rahn, of Brillion, a driver who’s raced in several divisions on both dirt and tar over the years.
The other three divisions crowns are up for grabs. Last year’s sportmod champion, De Pere’s Johnny “Hitman” Whitman will not be defending his title. The West De Pere High School senior is moving up to the modified ranks.
Pulaski’s “Hot Rod” Snellenberger will not be competing weekly at 141 to defend his stock car title, and it’s an honest-to-goodness crapshoot as to who may emerge atop the field as the title contender.
Pulaski’s “Sam Bam” Ambrosius, the 2010 sport four champion, has indicated he will race at 141, but not weekly, opening the door for a host of contenders.
Despite a brutal winter, track officials are optimistic they’ll be able to pull off the earliest weekly opener ever in track history. “Merle (Lisowe) was out here with us Saturday and we checked out the track surface. Merle figures with one solid week of temps in the 40’s or 50’s, we should be ok,” said Conard.
In addition, Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw sprints will make three appearances in 2011 and the WDLMA late models will make two appearances this year.
An open practice session will take place Friday April 1 at 3 p.m. Practice is $30 for car, driver and crew. Practice is free for spectators Friday.
On Saturday the pits open at noon with the spectator gates opening at two p.m. The draw cutoff for drivers is 3:30 p.m. with racing slated to kick off at 4 p.m. Regular pit pass prices for Saturday nights will be $25 for non-members and $20 for a member. Memberships are $30 and can be purchased at the track.
The Victory Lane Tap sports bar has been expanded and remodeled yet once again, and fans can enjoy “double bubble” in the bar from 2 to 3 p.m.
There will be NO INCREASES in prices from 2010. Adult tickets are $10.00. $7.00 for seniors and students ages 10-14 and kids 9 and under free with a paid adult.
You can follow 141 Speedway on both Facebook and Twitter and also through their website at 141speedway.com. For more information call 920 905 1112. 141 Speedway is located 15 minutes south of Green Bay and 15 minutes north of Manitowoc on County “R” in Francis Creek.