Madison International Speedway
Official Press Release
Contact John Wells 608.225.1913
By John Wells
In a year that will feature high speed, exciting Super Late Model racing on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile at Madison International Speedway, there’s no better way than to open the season on Sunday, May 5th with the ARCA Midwest Tour and Fifth Annual Joe Shear Classic.
The event honors the late Joe Shear who was one of the greatest short track drivers of all-time in the Midwest if not the entire country. At Madison he won track championships in 1973, 1974, 1980, and 1982 and earned 66 feature wins on his journey to those titles.
“The Joe Shear Classic has really become a staple on our series schedule as the clear opener of super late model racing in the upper Midwest. Race fans have supported this event strongly over the years and they are itching to see some awesome racing on the big half mile. I think fans will see the best talent in the nation and some new names that weekend and we are very excited to get things kicked off on May 5th,” said Steve Einhaus of the ARCA Midwest Tour.
Racing action will begin on May 5th with practice starting at 11:30 AM and qualifying at 1:15 PM and racing to follow. Highlighting the racing program will be the running of the 100 Joe Shear Classic for the ARCA Midwest Tour.
“The Midwest Tour races at Madison are always highly competitive and fun for the fans to watch. This year will be no exception,” said MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg.
Drivers from throughout the Midwest will be coming to MIS with hopes of becoming a Joe Shear Classic champion. Former champion Ross Kenseth, son of NASCAR star Matt Kenseth, will be returning to one of his favorite tracks for the first of three appearances at Madison in 2013. The younger Kenseth won the event in 2011. Other past champions include Andrew Morrissey (2012), Steve Carlson (2010), and Nathan Haseleu (2009).
Racing action will not be limited to the ARCA Midwest Tours as fans will also see the Midwest Trucks battling it out on the half-mile and the INEX Legends competing on the quarter-mile “Ring of Fire.”
The ARCA Midwest Tour event is one of many exciting special events at Madison in 2013. “We are going with more of a special event program in 2013,” said MIS Business / Marketing Manager Jason Tyler. “We will host four of our own Triple Crown Super Late Model Challenge events, a second ARCA Midwest Tour / CRA race, and the national ARCA Racing Series. It’s going to be a ‘special’ year at Madison.”
Fans who want to see the cars before opening day are welcome to come out on Saturday, May 4th for a practice session from Noon – 5:00 PM. There is no charge for spectators during practice day. An open practice session will also take place on Saturday, April 27th from Noon-5:00 PM is also free for the fans.
Gates on May 5th will open at 11:30 AM.
For more information checkout the track website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com.
Madison International Speedway
5th Annual Joe Shear Classic
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Past Joe Shear Classic Champions:
2012: Andrew Morrissey
2011: Ross Kenseth
2010: Steve Carlson
2009: Nathan Haseleu
Event Schedule
Saturday, May 4th
9:30 AM Pit Gates Open
10:00 AM Hoosier Tire Sales (Practice tires only)
Noon-5;00 PM Open Practice Session (Divisions will rotate)
Camping Reservations Contact Dave Grueneberg 608.513.2278
Sunday May 5th
8:00AM: Pit Gate Opens
8:30AM: Tire Sales Begin (Top 20 then Post Mark Entry) Plus Trucks
8:45AM: Practice Tech/Qualifying Tech ARCAMT (No Engines)
10:45AM: Drivers Meeting
11:30AM: ARCAMT Practice (60 Mins)
12:30PM: Midwest Trucks and Legends (40 Mins)
1:15PM: Qualifying Begins (SLM, Trucks and Legends)
Following Qualifying: Opening Ceremonies
Racing Begins
Hedman Hedders ARCAMT Qualifier: 15 Laps
Midwest Trucks Heat Races: 8 Laps (2)
JRI Shocks ARCAMT Fast Dash: 12 Laps
Legends Heats: 8 Laps (2)
ARCAMT Last Chance: 20 Laps
Midwest Truck Feature: 40 Laps
Legends Feature: 20 Laps
Joe Shear Classic 100
(Break at Lap 64, 36 Lap Dash to Follow)
