Wisconsin International Raceway
Encyclopedia
The Wisconsin International Raceway (WIR) is a stockcar racing oval
and drag strip
in the Town of Buchanan
, in Outagamie County
, just outside Kaukauna
, Wisconsin, USA
.
track.
.
The Fox River Racing Club began helping promote the weekly events in 1975.
event. The track resumed hosting ASA events after the series was reorganized, and it held an event in 2007.
The track has hosted an annual "Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series" for super late models since 1972. The series consist of three races in June (red), July (white), and August (blue). The series changed from Saturday nights to combine with the weekly series in 2009. The series was part of the Midwest Challenge Series (formerly ARTGO). The blue race is now part of the Wisconsin Challenge Series. 7,832 people watched Dick Trickle
win the first red race.
divisions (Cup, Busch, Truck):
Trickle had so many wins that the track dedicated the Dick Trickle Pavilion in Turn 2. Joe Shear
won the Red, White, and Blue series 1979, 1987, and 1988.
Oval
An oval is any curve resembling an egg or an ellipse, such as a Cassini oval. The term does not have a precise mathematical definition except in one area oval , but it may also refer to:* A sporting arena of oval shape** a cricket field...
and drag strip
Drag strip
Drag strip may refer to:*Dragstrip, track used for drag racing*Drag Strip , Transformer character who is one of the Stunticons*Videocart-9: Drag Strip, drag racing videogame released in 1976-See also:*Dover Drag Strip...
in the Town of Buchanan
Buchanan, Wisconsin
Buchanan is a town in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,827 at the 2000 census. The urbanized portions of the towns of Harrison and Buchanan are collectively known locally as Darboy.-Geography:...
, in Outagamie County
Outagamie County, Wisconsin
Outagamie is a county in the northeast region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Its county seat is Appleton. As of the 2009 census estimate, its population was 177,155....
, just outside Kaukauna
Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Kaukauna is a city in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States, on the Fox River, approximately 100 miles north of Milwaukee, with a population of 12,983. It is a part of the Appleton, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisconsin Combined...
, Wisconsin, USA
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
Stockcar track
The main track is a half mile D-shaped paved oval. Inside the half mile track is a quarter mile paved conventional oval. The half mile track was added around the existing quarter mile in 1969. The corners for the quarter mile track double as the corners for a Figure 8Figure 8 racing
Figure 8 racing is a form of racing that combines elements of oval racing, demolition derby, and road racing.-Track:Racing is done on a track shaped like an 8. The cars cross paths at the center of the 8, which is known as the "crossover". Because of this layout, crashes are inevitable...
track.
Stockcar weekly divisions
There are six divisions at the track. The Super Late Model and Limited Late Model divisions race on the half mile track. The Super Stocks, Sport 4's (stock four cylinders modified for racing), and Wisconsin Sport Trucks, divisions race on the quarter mile track. The Figure 8 cars end programs on the Figure 8 track. A automated timing and scoring system was set up for the 2007 season, and each racecar carries a transponderTransponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...
.
The Fox River Racing Club began helping promote the weekly events in 1975.
Stockcar special events
The track had an annual American Speed AssociationAmerican Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
event. The track resumed hosting ASA events after the series was reorganized, and it held an event in 2007.
The track has hosted an annual "Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series" for super late models since 1972. The series consist of three races in June (red), July (white), and August (blue). The series changed from Saturday nights to combine with the weekly series in 2009. The series was part of the Midwest Challenge Series (formerly ARTGO). The blue race is now part of the Wisconsin Challenge Series. 7,832 people watched Dick Trickle
Dick Trickle
Richard "Dick" Trickle is a retired American race car driver. He raced for decades around the short tracks of Wisconsin, winning many championships along the way. Trickle has competed in the ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, All Pro, IMCA, NASCAR, and USAC.In more than an estimated 2,200 races, Trickle has logged...
win the first red race.
Notable drivers to race on the stockcar track
All of the following drivers appeared at the track before moving on to at least one of the big three NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
divisions (Cup, Busch, Truck):
- Lowell Bennett (1991 and 1998 track champion, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2010 Red, White & Blue Champion )
- Rich BickleRich BickleRichard "Rich" Bickle, Jr. is a journeyman NASCAR driver. Bickle, who has never completed a full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has a long history in short track racing.-Early career:...
- Scott Hansen (1985–89 track champion)
- Matt KensethMatt KensethMatthew Roy "Matt" Kenseth is an American stock car driver. Kenseth currently drives the No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
(1994 and 1995 track champion) - Todd KlueverTodd KlueverTodd Alan Kluever is a NASCAR driver. He currently is a free agent.-Early career:Kluever began his career by racing motorcycles for over nine years before he moved into full-bodied stock cars at a local track. He raced stock cars in the summer and snowmobiles during the Wisconsin winters...
- Alan KulwickiAlan KulwickiAlan Dennis Kulwicki , nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince", was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series racecar driver. He started racing at local short tracks in Wisconsin before moving up to regional stock car touring series...
(1979 & 1980 track champion) - Dave MarcisDave MarcisDave Marcis is a retired driver on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit whose career spanned five decades. Marcis won five times over this tenure, twice at Richmond, including his final win in 1982...
- Mark MartinMark Martin (NASCAR)Mark Anthony Martin is an American stock car driver currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As of 2012, Martin will drive for Michael Waltrip Racing, moving on from successful organizations such as Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing. He has the second most wins in the NASCAR...
(Red, White, and Blue champion) - Ted MusgraveTed MusgraveTheodore Musgrave is an American race car driver.-Pre-NASCAR:Musgrave's father, Elmer, was a famous short-track racer in the Midwest who raced for over 25 years at Soldier Field, O'Hare, Waukegan, and Wilmot, Wisconsin before moving into asphalt late models in the American Speed Association and...
- Robbie ReiserRobbie ReiserRobbie Reiser is the general manager for Roush Fenway Racing. Reiser is the son of Alice and the late John Reiser, who served as general manager for Roush Racing's Busch and Craftsman Truck series race shops. Robbie is married to his wife Tracy, and has 3 children.- Racing career :Robbie started...
- Jim SauterJim Sauter (NASCAR)Jim Sauter is a former NASCAR race car driver from Necedah, Wisconsin.-Racing career:Sauter started racing in 1964 in a modified at Raceway Park in Savage, Minnesota. He moved up to late models the following year. Sauter moved to Wisconsin, and his career took off after he won the North Star 500...
(1981 track champion) - Tim SauterTim SauterTim Sauter is an American race car driver. He has competed in the American Speed Association, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR Busch Series, and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He is the son of Jim Sauter, and the brother of NASCAR drivers Jay and Johnny Sauter.Sauter made his NASCAR...
- Jason SchulerJason SchulerJason Schuler , is a former NASCAR driver. He ran select races from 2000-2004 in the Busch Series. He is currently building cars for JJ Fabrication, Inc...
- Dick TrickleDick TrickleRichard "Dick" Trickle is a retired American race car driver. He raced for decades around the short tracks of Wisconsin, winning many championships along the way. Trickle has competed in the ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, All Pro, IMCA, NASCAR, and USAC.In more than an estimated 2,200 races, Trickle has logged...
– (many Red, White, and Blue championships)
Trickle had so many wins that the track dedicated the Dick Trickle Pavilion in Turn 2. Joe Shear
Joe Shear
Joe Shear was an American racecar driver from Clinton, Wisconsin. He won an estimated 350 races in his career, including four of his last five races. Fred Nielsen, Shear's car owner from 1975 to 1984 and 1986 to 1994, said that his team won 250 races and he estimates that Shear won 600 races...
won the Red, White, and Blue series 1979, 1987, and 1988.
List of late model track champions
- 2010 Terry Baldry
- 2009 Jeff Vanoudenhoven
- 2008 Jeff Vanoudenhoven
- 2007 Tim Rothe
- 2006 Tim Rothe
- 2005 Rod Wheeler
- 2004 Terry Baldry
- 2003 Terry Baldry
- 2002 Terry Baldry
- 2001 Terry Baldry
- 2000 Terry Baldry
- 1999 Terry Baldry
- 1998 Lowell Bennett
- 1997 Terry Baldry
- 1996 Mark Schroeder
- 1995 Matt KensethMatt KensethMatthew Roy "Matt" Kenseth is an American stock car driver. Kenseth currently drives the No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
- 1994 Matt Kenseth
- 1993 Terry Baldry
- 1992 Jim Weber
- 1991 Lowell Bennett
- 1990 J. J. Smith
- 1989 Scott Hansen
- 1988 Scott Hansen
- 1987 Scott Hansen
- 1986 Scott Hansen
- 1985 Scott Hansen
- 1984 Terry Baldry
- 1983 Terry Baldry
- 1982 Terry Baldry
- 1981 Jim SauterJim Sauter (NASCAR)Jim Sauter is a former NASCAR race car driver from Necedah, Wisconsin.-Racing career:Sauter started racing in 1964 in a modified at Raceway Park in Savage, Minnesota. He moved up to late models the following year. Sauter moved to Wisconsin, and his career took off after he won the North Star 500...
- 1980 Alan KulwickiAlan KulwickiAlan Dennis Kulwicki , nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince", was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series racecar driver. He started racing at local short tracks in Wisconsin before moving up to regional stock car touring series...
- 1979 Alan Kulwicki
- 1978 Rich Somers
- 1977 J. J. Smith
- 1976 Larry Schuler
- 1975 Rich Somers
Trivia
- Parts of the 2004 independent film "Dare to Dream: The Alan Kulwicki Story" were shot at Wisconsin International Raceway during Thursday Night Thunder. The film crew used a 1982 Chevy Camaro to re-create the WLPX racing Camaro KulwickiAlan KulwickiAlan Dennis Kulwicki , nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince", was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series racecar driver. He started racing at local short tracks in Wisconsin before moving up to regional stock car touring series...
used in the early 80's. Other cars used in the film were from the Lion's Club racing group.