From Hoosiers Up
Eager to begin their first full summer of racing, officials at the remodeled St. Croix Valley Raceway are toiling away in preparation for their first racing event of the season this Friday, May 11, 2012.
It’s been a tremendously busy off season for the quarter mile speed plant just southwest of Centuria, Wisconsin. Fans who haven’t visited the track for several years may be surprised at the make-over. Extensive track work is nearing completion, featuring a completely redone infield and a new catch fence. Concessions for the main grandstand as well as the pit area have been revamped as well.
With all the changes, the on track action that has excited fans and racers for decades promises to be even better also. SCVR is kicking off the season with “Thunder in the Valley”, a UMSS winged sprint car special. This will be the first of five scheduled appearances for the winged cars at the raceway. Joining the winged sprinters will be the track’s regular classes of Future Fours, Pure Stocks, WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and UMSS Traditional Sprints and Micro Sprints.
With three of their first four events falling to rain, defending UMSS champion Jerry Richert Jr. and the rest of the sprinter pilots are eagerly awaiting their chance to sling clay on the reshaped bullring. Track officials are also expecting a population explosion in the Traditional Sprint ranks. With a handful of cars competing last summer in the first year for the non-winged class, the total number of wingless teams may climb to as high as 20 for the division’s sophomore season. WISSOTA sanctioning is back at the facility for the first time in three years in the form of the Midwest Modifieds and fans of the fenders need not feel left out, with the Future Fours and Pure Stocks also set to attack the quarter-mile race track.
Adult admission for this UMSS Sprint car special event is $15, $13 for seniors and $5 for kids ages 6 through 15. Children 5 years of age and under are free. For savings of up to 50%, a Family Pack admission is also available – at just $35 for two adults and up to four kids ($70 value). More details about this event can be found on the track’s website, www.scvraceway.com, or on their Facebook page.