The stands are always packed when the World of Outlaws Dirt Sprint Car Series visits Beaver Dam Raceway each summer. (Bob Cruse photo)

By Bert Lehman

Editor

Full Throttle magazine

Dirt racing fans (and racers) in eastern Wisconsin continue to reap the benefits of local dirt track promoters upping the ante each year when it comes to special events. The specials seem to get more plentiful and better each year.

Outlaws return

The World of Outlaws Dirt Sprint Car Series makes its return to Wisconsin when it converges on Beaver Dam Raceway, Saturday, June 27 for the Jim Boyd Memorial. The series has made the annual trek to Beaver Dam Raceway since the early 1990s.

At last year’s event, Brad Sweet returned from a scary accident the night before to win the feature at Beaver Dam.

The full-fendered outlaws of the World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model Series make their sixth straight appearance at Shawano Speedway Tuesday, July 28. The 50-lap feature will pay the winner $10,000.

Kentucky’s Darrell Lanigan has won three of the first five outlaw Late Model races at Shawano Speedway.

Clash at the Creek

When the Clash at the Creek $10,000-to-win Modified show at 141 Speedway went with the IMCA sanction in 2014, it attracted more out-of-state drivers to the event.

A local once again won the event when Mike Mullen took home the top prize.

The Clash at the Creek will once again pay $10,000-to-win in 2015, which is sure to draw another large field of drivers — from Wisconsin and outside of Wisconsin.

This year’s two-day event takes place June 24-25.

Cheesehead Triple Crown

The Clash at the Creek is also the first leg of the Cheesehead Triple Crown.

With the plethora of Modifieds already in northeast Wisconsin for the Clash at the Creek, Luxemburg Speedway and Chilton Speedway will be hosting $5,000-to-win Modified features the next two nights.

Luxemburg Speedway’s $5,000-to-win Modified feature is scheduled for Friday, June 26. Chilton Speedway’s $5,000-to-win Modified feature is scheduled for Saturday, June 27.

A driver who wins all three features will collect a cool $20,000.

Ground pounding Late Models

Fans of the high-powered, full-bodied cars have the opportunity for a double dose of fun the weekend of June 13-14.

Shawano Speedway will be hosting a $2,000-to-win, 40-lap Late Model feature during its regular race program Saturday, June 13.

The next night, the UMP Late Model Summer Nationals Hell Tour makes an appearance at Wilmot Raceway. The Summer Nationals brings in local and regional drivers, as well as some national stars.

The Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series returns to the area for the third straight year.

The George Scheffler Memorial Late Model race at Oshkosh Speedzone will be sanctioned by the Corn Belt Clash Series, and will pay $7,000 to the winner. It is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28.

The series moves to Plymouth Dirt Track the next night, Aug. 29.

The Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association is introducing a Lucky 7 Series for Late Model drivers. Drivers participating in the series race for a point fund.

The first race is scheduled for Plymouth Dirt Track Saturday, May 23. The series moves to Seymour Speedway the next night.

Manitowoc Speedway hosts a race on Friday, June 12, with Seymour Speedway hosting another race a week later Sunday, July 19.

The series concludes at Chilton Speedway the weekend of Sept. 18-19.

Open wheel mania

The IRA Outlaw Sprint Car Series will make appearances at several dirt tracks in eastern Wisconsin.

The series makes four appearances at Beaver Dam Raceway and Wilmot Raceway, three appearances at Plymouth Dirt Track, and two appearances at 141 Speedway, Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, and Oshkosh Speedzone. Manitowoc Speedway, Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, and Seymour Speedway will each host one IRA event.

(This article first appeared in the May 2015 issue of Full Throttle magazine.)