It’s the season opener at Madison International Speedway this Sunday when the ARCA Midwest Tour presented by SCAG Power Equipment comes to town for the running of the seventh annual Joe Shear Classic. Joining the super late models on the racing program will be the Midwest Trucks and Mid American Stock Car Series.
Images from 2014 ARCA Midwest Tour Joe Shear Classic
Photos by TJ HARRON PHOTOGRAPHY / Official Photographer of MIS
The event also marks the dawn of a new era at the historic speedway for new owners Gregg and Angie McKarns. Gregg is also the owner of the ARCA Midwest Tour.
An impressive field of drivers will take to Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile in the event that honors one of the greatest short track racers of all-time, the late Joe Shear.
Shear won four track championships at Madison (1973, 1974, 1980, 1982) and picked up sixty-six feature wins.
As of Tuesday a total of thirty-six drivers have thrown their hats in the ring. Two-time Classic winner Nathan Haseleu (2009 and 2014) leads the field of entrants that also includes past winners Andrew Morrissey (2012), Travis Sauter (2013) and Ross Kenseth (2011). Defending Midwest Tour series champion Ty Majeski and 2014 MIS Track Champion Dave Feiler are also set to compete.
Click here for a full entry list.
Click here for a preview story on Nathan Haseleu
Click here for a preview story on Ross Kenseth.
The grandstands will open at 11:30 AM on Sunday with a rotating practice session beginning at 11:30 followed by qualifying at 12:45 PM and racing at 2:00 PM. Heat races, qualifying events and features will be held with the Joe Shear Classic 100 the final event of the day.
Fans may purchase tickets at misracing.com or at the ticket booth on the day of the race.
Drivers will also take advantage of a practice session on Saturday from Noon – 4:00 PM with free admission in the grandstands.
Rain date for Sunday’s event is Friday, May 8th.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 2nd
10AM Pit Gates Open
Noon Rotating Practice (ARCAMT, Mid AM, Midwest Trucks)
4PM Practice Ends
Camping Reservations: Call Speedway at 608.835.9700
Sunday, May 3rd
9AM Pit Gates Open
11:30 AM Grandstands Open
11:30 AM Rotating Practice Begins
12:45 PM Qualifying
1:50 PM Opening Ceremonies
2:00 PM Racing Begins
Midwest Truck Heats (8 Laps)
ARCAMT Qualifiers (12 Laps)
ARCAMT Fast Odd/ Even (8 Laps)
Mid Am Heats (8 Laps)
Midwest Truck Feature (30 Laps)
ARCAMT Last Chance (20 Laps)
Mid Am Feature (30 Laps)
ARCAMT Joe Shear Classic (100 Laps)