Ashland, WI, May 23 – Racetrack promoters throughout the Upper Midwest have been battling miserable weather throughout the Spring in order to get the 2019 season underway. But no one knows what it means to be in a battle like a Military veteran.
That’s why the ABC Raceway will pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces – both retired and active – by offering free admission to the rescheduled 55th season opener of stock car racing action this Saturday night, May 25, at the award-winning three-eighths-mile red-clay oval just south of Ashland. The program, to be presented by the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, will feature six divisions of racers in action.
The addition of the Hornet division to the regular race program here expands the Raceway’s weekly offering for the first time since the 2009 season. Hornets are basic four-cylinder compact race cars with minimal performance enhancements allowed, emphasizing safety while giving entry-level racers an opportunity to get into the sport while keeping things very affordable.
The Hornets will join the Raceway’s other WISSOTA Promoters Association divisions – the Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds and Pure Stocks – and the track’s own ABC Six-Cylinder class during nearly all regularly-scheduled race nights this season.
“We hope that this will be a fun way to introduce new fans and drivers into the sport,” said Raceway president Eric Erickson recently.
The Raceway staff has been fighting unfavorable weather in order to prepare the facility for the new season, and significant progress has been made. The track itself, as well as access roads throughout the grounds, are in better-than-average condition considering the amount of precipitation the region has withstood. However, a little extra sunshine and some extended warm weather would be welcome in order to dry the parking areas on both the pits and grandstand sides of the track.
Three drivers – Ashland’s Kevin Eder in the Modifieds, three-time defending Super Stock champ Nick Oreskovich of Mason, and Ashland’s Tiffany Hudack in the Sixes – are expected to return to defend their titles once the season gets underway. However, defending Mid-Mod champ Paul Suzik of Ironwood, MI, and Randy Graham of Trego, who won the Pure Stock title here last summer, have both moved into other classes for the 2019 campaign, opening the door for a new champ in each class. And a first-time Hornets champ will be crowned by summer’s end.
Younger race fans are invited to join the ABC Raceway Kids’ Club this season, with a variety of special activities, gifts and prizes available often throughout the summer. Information will be available at the track prior to each racing program.
Hot laps will lead off the night’s action at 6:15, and green-flag racing is scheduled for a 7 pm start. Adult grandstand admission is just $11 per person, kids ages 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult, and service personnel need only show their Military ID in order to obtain free admission for Saturday’s show.
“Race Night” returns for its 16th season as the region’s only pre-race radio program, but in a new pre-recorded format, with up-to-date track news and weather updates every 15-20 minutes from 4:30-6 pm. Coverage will air rain or shine on WBSZ, 93.3 FM, and will also stream on www.wbszfm.com and on the free Heartland Communications Group radio app.
The ABC Raceway is located 3-1/2 miles south of Ashland on State Highway 13 and one mile west on Butterworth Road. For raceday information call (715) 682-4990, or log on to the track’s website, www.abcraceway.com.
Nick Gima