Photo © TJ Harron Photography / TJHarron.com
By John Wells
Plans are moving forward very quickly at Madison International Speedway as new owner Gregg McKarns prepares for the 2015 season. It’s been full speed ahead for McKarns since he finalized the purchase of the speedway from Terry Kunes in January and considering the start of the racing season is right around the corner. The 2015 schedule of events has now been finalized.
“We are excited to get this season going. With race season just under two months away, we wanted to get the 2015 schedule out so our fans and teams could plan their summer fun.” Commented McKarns. “We have some fun promotions to go along with the action on both the half and quarter-mile tracks as well.”
The season is set to begin on Sunday afternoon May 3rd with the ARCA Midwest Tour and the Joe Shear Classic 100 presented by SCAG Power Equipment. Joining the Super Late Models will be the Midwest Trucks and Mid-American Stock Car Series. Drivers from seven states are expected.
The “Friday Night Tradition” returns at Madison in 2015 with weekly action set to begin on May 15th and continue through Labor Day weekend. But there are many changes on tap for both drivers and fans while many traditions remain.
In February it was announced that MIS would now be part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, becoming the third NASCAR HomeTrack in Wisconsin. The NASCAR Sanction allows drivers to compete not only against one another but also for State and National titles with the MIS Champion being honored on the red carpet in Charlotte, NC this December.
The weekly racing program will feature three NASCAR sanctioned divisons: Late Models (Big 8 Style), Sportsman, and Bandits which will be eligible for their share of an over $16,000 point fund. The Late Models will run three nights per month with the Super Late Models joining the program when the Late Models are absent.
The three Super Late Model events will be part of the Triple Crown Challenge which is back at Madison in 2015. Race dates for the “Challenge” will be June 5th, July 10th, and August 21st.
Friday night June 26 will mark the annual stop for the Big 8 Late Model Series during Salute to America night with the area’s Biggest and Best air and ground Fireworks display. The Great Northern Sportsman Series and DASH Series will add to the excitement.
In addition to the June 6 Tractor Pull, the track will also feature a variety of touring divisions including the American Ethanol Super Trucks, Midwest Trucks, Mid-American Stock Car Series, Great Northern Sportsman Series, Vores Compact Touring Series, Legends, Figure 8 racing, Hobby Stox, Bandoleros, and more. A new entry-level V6 division is also planned for the quarter-mile “Ring of Fire.” The newly named Six Shooters will compete on six Friday nights beginning May 29.
MIS recently unveiled a new website (misracing.com) that will provide fans and teams with all of the information they need for the upcoming season including rules packages. A complete schedule with ticket prices for all events is expected later this month but McKarns indicated that weekly admission prices would remain the same with a $12 adult ticket with the addition of Family Friendly Pricing as well.
Madison International Speedway is located between Oregon and Stoughton, WI just south of Highway 138 at 1122 Sunrise Road in Oregon. For additional information visit www.misracing.com or call the Speedway at 608-835-9700.
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2015 Madison International Speedway
Schedule of Events as of 3/5/15
***Subject to Change***
Day Date First Race Description
Wednesday 1-Apr NA Driver Orientation Meeting at Stoughton VFW, Rookies 6PM, General 7PM
Thursday 9-Apr NA Tire Sale- 5-8PM
Saturday 18-Apr NA Track Clean-Up Day and Pot Luck
Sunday 19-Apr NA Madison Sports Car Club
Saturday 2-May NA Open Practice for 5/3 divisions only (12-4PM)
Sunday 3-May 2PM Joe Shear Classic presented by SCAG Power Equipment- ARCA Midwest Tour 100 Lap Feature, Mid-American Stock Cars, Midwest Truck Tour
Friday 8-May 7:30PM Raindate for 5/3 =or= Open Practice for Weekly Classes (5-9PM)
Thursday 14-May NA Open Practice- (Pits 1pm for Tech)
Friday 15-May 7:30PM Season Opener- NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Legends and Bandits $2 off Promotion
Friday 22-May 7:30PM BUCK Night (All concessions just $1) NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Bandits plus Vintage Racing of Illinois
Friday 29-May 7:30PM Kid’s Night (ages 11 and under admitted FREE) NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Bandits, Six Shooters plus Kid’s Candy Scramble
Thursday 4-Jun NA Open Practice- All divisions
Friday 5-Jun 7:30PM Super Late Model Triple Crown Challenge Round I, Sportsman plus Vores Compact Touring Series
Saturday 6-Jun 7:00PM Tractor Pull
Friday 12-Jun 7:30PM NASCAR Late Models, American Ethanol Trucks, Legends, Bandits and Bandoleros
Friday 19-Jun 7:30PM Kid’s Night (ages 11 and under admitted FREE) NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Bandits, Six Shooters plus Kid’s $1,000.00 Scramble
Friday 26-Jun 7:30PM Salute to America Night with FIREWORKS, Big 8 Late Model Series, Great Northern Sportsman Series plus DASH Series -OVERNIGHT CAMPING
Friday 3-Jul NA NO RACING
Friday 10-Jul 7:30PM Super Late Model Triple Crown Challenge Round II, Sportsman, Bandits plus Six Shooters
Sunday 12-Jul NA Perfect Soundz Auto Cross and Drifting
Friday 17-Jul 7:30PM Hall of Fame Night featuring Racers’ Reunion, NASCAR Late Models, American Ethanol Trucks, Legends and Bandits
Friday 24-Jul 7:30PM Kid’s Night (ages 11 and under admitted FREE) Great Northern Sportsman Series Twin Features, Hobby Stox, DASH Series, Six Shooters plus Kid’s Bike Races
Friday 31-Jul 7:30PM BUCK Night (all concessions just $1) NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Bandits plus Figure 8 and Tough Truck Tug-of-War
Saturday 1-Aug NA The Madison Subaru Meet
Friday 7-Aug 7:30PM Car Load Night (entire car load admitted for just $40 when arrive by 7PM) NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Bandits plus Six Shooters
Friday 14-Aug 7:30PM Kid’s Back 2 School Night (ages 11 and under admitted FREE) NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Legends and Bandits plus School Bus Jump!
Friday 21-Aug 7:30PM American Ethanol Ag Night at the Races with Super Late Model Triple Crown Challenge Title Round, American Ethanol Trucks, Bandits plus Six Shooters
Friday 28-Aug 7:30PM Scout Night presented by DeWalt with NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman, Bandits plus Central States Super Cups
Friday 4-Sep 7:30PM Whelen Engineering NASCAR Championship Night- NASCAR Late Models, Sportsman and Bandits with extended features
Friday 11-Sep 7:30PM Friday Night Fright with Tailgator and Mechanical Mischief Monster Trucks, Jet Car, Ugly Trucks, Stock Car Football and More