The Ring of Fire will be the focus this Friday night for the running of the 6th Annual Cheese Curd Cup featuring racing action in six divisions.
Fans will be treated to reduced ticket prices as well as $2 Busch Lights and $2 Cheese Curds.
When: August 21, 2026
What: Sixth Annual Cheese Curd Cup
Where: Madison International Speedway
Racing Divisions: Legends, HSRA, Midwest Dash, Bandits, 6Shooters, and Crown Vics / Affordable Fords
Times: Pit Gates 3:30 / Chapel 4:00 / Practice 5:00 /Grandstands 6:00 / Qualifying 6:15 / Pre Race Ceremonies 7:25 / Racing 7:30
Prices: Adults: $15 / Heroes and Seniors 62+ $12 / Students 12-17 $8 / Kids 6-11 $5 / Five and Under Free / Family Ticket good for two adults and up to four students or kids $30
Promotions: $2 Busch Light / $2 Cheese Curds
Friday Night On-Track: All racing action will be on the “Ring of Fire” quarter mile. It’s Championship Night for the Slater Racing Legends and HSRA. The HSRA will be racing double features. Other divisions include the Midwest Dash Series, Bandits, 6Shooters, and Crown Vics / Affordable Fords.
Lincoln Cain has a six point advantage (495-489) over Cael Slater going into Friday night. Carter Stein (446), Bentley Thompson (445), and Ryan Laatsch (426) round out the top five. Friday night’s race will be #100 in track history for the Legends.
Gracie Flanagan is the current points leader in the HSRA holding a 427-399 advantage over Kennedy Krueger. Flanagan is in pursuit of her first track championship while Krueger is looking to make it three in a row. It’s race numbers 32 and 33 in track history.
The Bandits are making their second appearance of the season with Nick Schmidt picking up the win in May. He now has 29 career wins in the division at Madison. Friday’s race will be #172 for the Bandits at Madison.
It’s also the second race of the season for the Crown Vics who made their first-ever visit back in May with Jeff Steenbergen picking up the win.
The Midwest Dash Series is making its first appearance on the Ring of Fire for 2026. They’ll be back next Friday on the half-mile as part of the ARCA Menards Series night.
The 6Shooters will also be in action for a non-points race. It will be the 82nd race in series history.
Previous Cheese Curd Cup Winners
2025: Easton Riedner (Hobby Stocks) Kyle Riedner (Bandits) Mark English (Midwest Dash) Lincoln Cain (Legends) Bentley Thompson (Bandoleros)
2024: Waylon Robinson (Hobby Stocks) Kyle Riedner (Bandits) Davey Pennel (Midwest Dash) Lincoln Cain (Legends) Axel Oldenhoff (Bandoleros) Josh Morris (6Shooters)
2023: Jarrod Sutherland (Hobby Stocks) Nick Schmidt (Bandits) Kyle Riedner (Midwest Dash) Ben Massman (Legends) Axel Oldenhoff (Bandoleros) Ken Morris (6Shooters) Brandon DeLacy (Sportsman)
2022: Brandon Riedner (Hobby Stocks) Kyle Stark (Midwest Dash) Andrew Borntreger (Legends) Penn Sauter (Bandoleros)
2021: Brandon Riedner (Hobby Stocks) Karter Stark (Midwest Dash) Aaron Moyer (Legends) Avery Linnerud (Bandoleros) Braydon Lockington / Ashton Kinsey (HSRA)
Last Week at Madison
A big shout out to our loyal fans who braved the weather and waited patiently during the rain delay.
Carter Nilson won his first-ever weekly Late Model race holding off Ryan Goldade. He also won the Big 8 race on August 7th. Waylon Robinson held off Kenny Storkson for a feature win in the Dave’s White Rock MISfitz. Dylan Klinger won for the third time this season in the Roto Rooter 6Shooters.
2026 Track Champions are Brent Edmunds (Late Models), Nick Schneider (MISfitz), and Dylan Klinger (6Shooters). Receiving Rookie of the Year honors were Tyler Harding (Late Models), Waylon Robinson (MISfitz), and Christopher Webb (6Shooters).
Two more champions will be crowned on Friday night.
Upcoming Events
August 28th: ARCA Menards Series 200 with on-track autographs and live music before the races. The four cylinder Midwest Dash Series will be on the half-mile too.
September 10th: Thursday Night One on One Street Drags