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 3 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 5, July 10 and Aug. 21.
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.
The tentative schedule is available at http://misracing.com/schedule/
