It’s time to go racing at Madison International Speedway with the 10th annual Joe Shear Classic featuring the stars of the ARCA Midwest Tour taking to Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile this Sunday afternoon in 200 laps of racing action.
The event is held in memory of Joe Shear, one of the finest short track racers to ever compete at Madison and throughout the Midwest who passed away in 1998. Shear won 66 features and four track championships at Madison.
A stellar field of drivers from throughout the country is headed to Madison to battle it out for the $10,000 first prize for the first event of the 2018 ARCA Midwest Tour season. Last year Andrew Morrissey of DeForest, Wisconsin, picked up the victory and heads the list of drivers planning to be at Madison on Sunday. See drivers such as Johnny Sauter, Jonathan Eilen, Dalton Zehr, Dan Fredrickson (Last year’s Madison Triple Crown winner), Casey Johnson, Paul Shafer Jr., Rich Bickle Jr., Eddie Hoffman, and many more.
Here’s a tentative drivers’ list as of April 30th.
Previous winners of “The Classic” include Ty Majeski (2016), Johnny Sauter (2015), Nathan Haseleu (2014), Travis Sauter (2013), Morrissey (2012), Ross Kenseth (2011), Steve Carlson (2010), and Haseleu (2009).
Also in action on Sunday will be the Midwest Truck Series and Mid-American Stock Car Series. The Midwest Truck Series which was born here twenty years ago will be racing their 180th feature at Madison on Sunday.
Grandstands on Sunday open at 11:30 AM with adult admission $25.00, Whelen Heroes, Seniors and Students (12-17) $22.00, Kids 6-11 $10.00, and children 5 and under free. A “Family” ticket that includes two adults and up to four students / kids is just $60.00. Grandstand admission for Saturday’s practice session is free.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 5
Noon – 4:00 PM ARCAMT, Midwest Trucks, Mid-Am Stock Cars Practice
Sunday May 6
9am Pit Gate Opens
10am Turn One Chapel Service
10:45am Mandatory Drivers Meeting
11:30am Rotating Practice Begins (No Engines Prior) :
ARCAMT until 11:55
Midwest Trucks until 12:05
ARCAMT until 12:25 /
Mid-Am until 12:42
12:45pm Qualifying Begins
Midwest Trucks (groups of 5 for 4 laps)
Mid-Am Stock Cars (groups of 5 for 3 laps)
ARCAMT (single car, 2 laps)
Top 16 Autograph Session in Turn 4 Party Pavilion
1:50pm Opening Ceremonies
1:57pm Invocation/National Anthem
2:00pm Racing Begins
Midwest Truck Heats 8 laps
ARCAMT Qualifiers 12 laps
ARCAMT Fast Odd/Even 8 laps
Mid-Am Stock Car Heats 8 laps
Midwest Truck Feature 30 laps
ARCAMT Last Chance 20 laps
Mid-Am Stock Car Feature 30 laps
ARCAMT Joe Shear Classic 200 laps
Pit Pass Prices: Saturday $25 Member and $30 Non- Member; Sunday $30 Member and $40 Non-Member; Weekend Pit Pass $50 Member and $60 Non-Member Minimum Pit Age: No minimum, under 18 must have properly completed Minor’s Release on File