EAGLE RIVER, Wis. — The newest attraction at Eagle River Speedway are the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.
The Class Too Tough To Tame joins the weekly lineup at the extreme northern Wisconsin track, with a dozen shows scheduled between May 26 and Aug. 20.
“We like the class and the IMCA rules package. We think it will grow in this area,” said promoter Pat Zdroik, who had managed Eagle River Speedway under then-owner Don Scharf in the 1990s before purchasing it with wife Patti five years ago.
“I think IMCA is going in the right direction, and we are hoping we’ll be able to get more cars locally and from around the area, particularly Shawano, Seymour and Green Bay.”
Built in the mid-1970s, the one-third-mile clay speedway fits right in with the surrounding tourism hotbed, with pine trees lining the first set of turns and the backstretch into the second set.
“The track has been reconstructed since we bought it. It’s faster and allows for more passing, so drivers and fans really like it,” said Zdroik, one of three brothers who have raced and the winner of seven features during his own Friesen Performance IMCA Modified career. “We’ll be adding more banking to the corners, putting in more seating and adding more fencing all around the track.”
Space is at a premium and a new pit area allowed for more of that after opening last year.
Eagle River originally opened as a Tuesday venue and while previous owners have experimented with Friday or Saturday race nights, the Zdroiks have stuck with regular midweek programs.
“Most of the businesses around here are busiest on the weekends,” Zdroik explained. “It has just worked out best for tourists and local residents to get out here on Tuesday.”
One special for the Stock Cars this season at Eagle River is scheduled June 25 with the sponsor and purse information to be announced.
“Stock car racing in Wisconsin is already known as some of the very best in IMCA,” said Jim Stannard, vice president of operations for the sanctioning body. “Eagle River will add to that reputation.”