History of the ABC Raceway.

Some Cool Facts about the ABC Raceway.

Organized short-track stock car racing first made its way into the Ashland area in the mid-1950s, when the now-defunct Chequamegon Racing Association held its very first racing program on a little baseball field near Ino, about 20 miles west of Ashland. From there racing moved to a hayfield near Moquah, just west of Ashland, where interest grew quickly during the late '50s and into the early 1960s.
 

With the growth came the need to find a site for a permanent, safe and secure facility. The organization found this on a piece of land south of Ashland - a race track that had already been built by the Frank Brevak family.

The club saw a few short years' worth of success, but during the early '60s the track lay idle, and weather and lack of maintenance took its toll on the unkept grounds and buildings. Then, in the spring of 1965, several area citizens who took part in those early race events gathered to revive racing in the Chequamegon Bay area. A meeting was called for interested persons to attend, a hat was passed to collect donations for the purchase of a stopwatch and some flags, and the Ashland-Bayfield County Racing Association - the non-profit organization which to this day promotes and runs the ABC Raceway - was born. After the initial expenses, the club had $20 and a vision with which to restart racing in the Northland.

The new organization first held its race
Fairgrounds in Marengo from 1966-'68. Again, increased interest and the success of the program produced a need for a track the club could run and expand as its own. The Association decided to acquire and rebuild the old Chequamegon track, which it purchased for $2,500. The track was renamed ABC Raceway (for Ashland-Bayfield County), and the work began to revive the neglected, run-down site. Once again, the great love and interest for
stock-car racing in this and surrounding communities brought plenty of volunteer help, and in a few short weeks the Raceway was ready for its first program in mid-summer 1968. Soon the track was offering regular weekly shows with three full classes of cars in action.

In the nearly 40 years since, the track and racing in general in the Northland has seen many ups and downs. The track made concessions to survive the oil-shortage years of the mid-'70s, and increasing costs and a slowing economy in the early 1980s caused the Association to adjust its offering of weekly classes, replacing the wildly popular but very expensive late model class with the open-wheeled WISSOTA modifieds.

But the club and the track have made the changes necessary to not just survive, but to flourish. Race programs were held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons until lights were added in the late 1970s; since then racing has been held every Saturday night during the summer months. The track was a founding partner in the old Northwest Racing Circuit, along with the Superior, WI, and Proctor, MN, tracks, and this group became the forerunner
to what is now the WISSOTA Promoters Association. And in 1976, the club ran its first Late Model-Super Stock Invitational, which a year later became the Red Clay Classic - now the Northland's traditional end-of-season event that today draws over 200 competitors and over 5,000 fans for a two-day race program that awards over $60,000 in prize monies. The Red Clay Classic has become one of the largest short-track stock car racing events in the entire Upper Midwest!

The Association has worked to offer a safer, more fan-friendly, more exciting racing program. Over the past ten years, new restroom facilities, a new concession building, new reserved seating decks, a new public address
system, improved lighting, fencing and guardrails, an on-track watering system and an improved officials' tower have all been added for fan and driver comfort and safety - improvements totaling over $150,000 but built and installed by the many interested persons donating their time and toil, continuing the spirit of volunteerism that was begun so long ago. And the racing program itself continues to improve, with its own competitive Six-Cylinder division and the addition of entry-level Pure Stocks to the regular Saturday night show in 2002. Plus the track hosts other divisions - such as late models and winged sprint cars - during mid-season specials.

All the effort, the dedication of its volunteer workers and the outstanding promotional management paid off when the WISSOTA Promoters Association presented the ABC Raceway with its 2002 Track of the Year award!

Come out to the ABC Raceway - you will find family fun and racing excitement - the best entertainment value for the dollar today!

ABC Raceway - Past Track Points Champions Year 1966 single division - Bob Root 1967 single division - Bob Mattson 1968 Late Model Modifieds - Bob Brevak Hobby Stocks - Dan Shefchik 1969 Late Model Modifieds - Hobby Stocks - Jim Day 1970 Late Model Modifieds - Bob Brevak (2) Hobby Stocks - Ray Gregor 1971 Late Model Modifieds - Graham Roberts Hobby Stocks - Bud Weber 1972 Late Model Modifieds - Johnny Johnson Hobby Stocks - 1973 Late Models - Bob Root (2) Super Stocks - Dwaine Erickson Street Stocks - Rick Gulbranson 1974 Late Models - Johnny Johnson (2) Super Stocks - Dwaine Erickson (2) Street Stocks - 1975 Late Models - Riece Stewart Super Stocks - Dwaine Erickson (3) Street Stocks - Dave Gillette 1976 Late Models - Bob Root (3) Super Stocks - Willie Rahko Street Stocks - Bill Replogle 1977 Late Models - Dwaine Erickson (4) Super Stocks - Dick Christman Street Stocks - Bill Replogle (2) 1978 Late Models - Jim Eliason Super Stocks - Dave Gillette (2) Street Stocks - Dwayne Groom 1979 Late Models - Bob Root (4) Super Stocks - Rick Popovich Street Stocks - Mark Wrazidlo 1980 Late Models - Dwaine Erickson (5) Super Stocks - Dick Christman (2) Street Stocks - Nick Nye 1981 Late Models - Super Stocks - Street Stocks - Nick Nye (2) 1982 Late Models - Joe Salner Super Stocks - Tim McMann Street Stocks - Nick Nye (3) 1983 Late Models - Bob Root (5) Super Stocks - Tim McMann (2) Street Stocks - Don Copp Six-Cylinders - Dean Yrjanainen 1984 Late Models - Tim McMann Street Stocks - AJ Foat Six-Cylinders - Dean Yrjanainen (2) 1985 Late Models - Tim McMann (2) Street Stocks - Greg Kuklenski Bombers - Bob Slavik Six-Cylinders - Dean Yrjanainen (3) 1986 Modifieds - Don Roseen Street Stocks - Greg Kuklenski (2) Hobby Stocks - Ken Zifko Six-Cylinders - Jule Wilcox 1987 Modifieds - Don Copp (2) Street Stocks - Greg Kuklenski (3) Hobby Stocks - Ron Weinberger Six-Cylinders - Dale Olson 1988 Modifieds - Don Copp (3) Super Stocks - Duane Dunbar Hobby Stocks - Mark Hudack Six-Cylinders - Art Hyde 1989 Modifieds - Don Copp (4) Super Stocks - Jeff Spacek Hobby Stocks - Ron Weinberger (2) Six-Cylinders - Tony Hicks 1990 Modifieds - Don Copp (5) Super Stocks - Duane Dunbar (2) Hobby Stocks - Jon Lumberg Six-Cylinders - Greg Kuklenski/Dale Olson (team) 1991 Modifieds - Don Copp (6) Super Stocks - Jeff Spacek (2) Hobby Stocks - Jon Lumberg (2) Six-Cylinders - Jule Wilcox (2) 1992 Modifieds - Don Copp (7) Super Stocks - Duane Dunbar (3) Hobby Stocks - Mike Pospychalla / Ron Weinberger (tie) Six-Cylinders - Jule Wilcox (3) 1993 Modifieds - Al Uotinen Super Stocks - Randy Spacek Hobby Stocks - Tim Mackey Six-Cylinders - Jule Wilcox (4) 1994 WISSOTA Modifieds - Eric Pember WISSOTA Super Stocks - Darin Meierotto WISSOTA Street Stocks - Tim Mackey (2) Six-Cylinders - Bob Anderson 1995 WISSOTA Modifieds - Mel Ferguson WISSOTA Super Stocks - Darin Meierotto (2) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Jim Latvala Six-Cylinders - Ron Swanson 1996 WISSOTA Modifieds - Lonnie Leu WISSOTA Super Stocks - Jon Lumberg (3) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Ryan Adamczak Six-Cylinders - Rich Morrison 1997 WISSOTA Modifieds - Dean Yrjanainen (4) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Greg Kuklenski (4) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Scott Lawrence Six-Cylinders - Shawn McFadden 1998 WISSOTA Modifieds - Don Copp (8) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Brady Smith WISSOTA Street Stocks - Scott Lawrence (2) Six-Cylinders - Scott Raivala 1999 WISSOTA Modifieds - Jerry Hartman WISSOTA Super Stocks - Brady Smith (2) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Scott Lawrence (3) Six-Cylinders - John Copp 2000 WISSOTA Modifieds - Dean Yrjanainen (5) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Brian Mikkonen WISSOTA Street Stocks - Rudy Grbavcich Six-Cylinders - Ron Hmielewski 2001 WISSOTA Modifieds - Jerry Hartman (2) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Brian Mikkonen (2) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Dennis Groom Six-Cylinders - Patrick Beeksma 2002 WISSOTA Modifieds - Jeff Spacek (4) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Brian Mikkonen (3) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Larry Haderly Six-Cylinders - Chuck Hawkinson Pure Stocks - Darren Brown 2003 WISSOTA Modifieds - Jeff Spacek (5) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Darin Meierotto (3) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Trevor Wilson Six-Cylinders - Ross Ligtner Pure Stocks - Cory Casari 2004 WISSOTA Modifieds - Al Uotinen (2) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Scott Lawrence (4) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Larry Haderly (2) Six-Cylinders - Ron Swanson Pure Stocks - Cory Casari (2) 2005 WISSOTA Modifieds - Al Uotinen (3) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Scott Lawrence (5) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Larry Haderly (3) Six-Cylinders - Chuck Hawkinson (2) Pure Stocks - Jim Eliason 2006 WISSOTA Modifieds - Al Uotinen (4) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Scott Lawrence (6) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Roger Walker Six-Cylinders - Steve Stuart Pure Stocks - Ricky Davis 2007 WISSOTA Modifieds - Dean Yrjanianen (6) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Scott Lawrence (7) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Rob Weber Six-Cylinders - Greg Jaeger Pure Stocks - Glenn Dammer 2008 WISSOTA Modifieds - Jeff Spacek (6) WISSOTA Super Stocks - Scott Lawrence (8) WISSOTA Midwest Modified - Steve Stuart (2) WISSOTA Street Stocks - Larry Haderly (4) Six Cylinders - Pat Beeksma (2) Pure Stocks - Chad Carlson

ABC Raceway - Red Clay Classic Champions 1976 Late Models - Johnny Johnson Street Stocks - Rudy Grbavcich 1977 (rain) 1978 Late Models - Johnny Johnson (2) Super Stocks - Dick Christman 1979 Late Models - Brent Laursen Super Stocks - Steve Rudlinger 1980 Late Models - Leon Plank Super Stocks - Mike Kelly 1981 Late Models - Tom Steuding Super Stocks - Dick Christman (2) 1982 Late Models - Tom Nesbitt Super Stocks - Bob Gherardi 1983 Late Models - Tom Nesbitt (2) Late Model Sportsman - Tim McMann Street Stocks - (rain) 1984 Late Models - Tom Nesbitt (3) Modifieds - Rory Taber Street Stocks - Greg Kuklenski 1985 Late Models - Joel Cryderman Modifieds - Ron Schreiner Street Stocks - Jan Hillman 1986 Late Models - Brent Laursen (2) Modifieds - Don Roseen Street Stocks - Rich Bishop 1987 Late Models - Rick Egersdorf Modifieds - Ron Jones Street Stocks - Ray Young 1988 Late Models - Rick Egersdorf (2) Modifieds - Ron Jones (2) Super Stocks - Pat Zdroik 1989 Late Models - Brent Laursen (3) Modifieds - Don Copp Super Stocks - AJ Foat 1990 Late Models - Duane Mahder Modifieds - Ron Jones (3) Super Stocks - Scott Hipsher 1991 Late Models - Tom Nesbitt (5) Modifieds - Dean Yrjanainen Super Stocks - Tom Nesbitt (4) 1992 Late Models - Paul Gilbert Modifieds - Ron Schreiner (2) Super Stocks - Rich Bishop (2) 1993 Late Models - Steve Laursen Modifieds - Dean Yrjanainen (2) Super Stocks - Scott Hipsher (2) 1994 Late Models - Jimmy Mars Modifieds - Mel Ferguson Super Stocks - Jerry Hartman 1995 Late Models - Jimmy Mars (2) Modifieds - Craig Brightbill Super Stocks - Greg Kuklenski (2) 1996 Late Models - Jimmy Mars (3) Modifieds - Dean Yrjanainen (3) Super Stocks - Rich Bishop (3) 1997 (rain) 1998 Late Models - Rick Egersdorf (3) Modifieds - Mel Ferguson (2) Super Stocks - Greg Kuklenski (3) 1999 Late Models - Jerry Redetzke Modifieds - Craig Thatcher Super Stocks - Brady Smith 2000 Late Models - Brent Larson Modifieds - Jeff Spacek Super Stocks - Darin Meierotto 2001 Late Models - Mike Goodremote Modifieds - Steve Wik Super Stocks - Chuckie DeSmith 2002 Late Models - Steve Laursen (2) Modifieds - Craig Thatcher (2) Super Stocks - Greg Kuklenski (4) 2003 Late Models - Brady Smith (2) Modifieds - Darrell Carlson Super Stocks - (rain) 2004 Late Models - Jimmy Mars (5) Modifieds - Jimmy Mars (4) Super Stocks - Ashley Anderson 2005 Late Models - Joey Jensen Modifieds - Craig Thatcher (3) Super Stocks - Rick Kobs 2006 Late Models - John Kaanta Modifieds - Darrell Nelson Super Stocks - Tim Johnson 2007 Late Models - Rick Hanestad Modifieds - Jody Bellefeuille Super Stocks - Curt Myers 2008 Late Models - Harry Hanson Modifieds - Joey Jensen Super Stocks - Jeff Tardy

ABC Raceway - All-Time Feature Winners as of end of 2008 season   86 - Greg Kuklinski, Greg 68 - Dean Yrjanainen, Dean 55 - Dick Christman, Dick 49 - Jule Wilcox, Jule 45 - Don Copp, Bob Root, Jeff Spacek 44 - Dwaine "Oulu" Erickson 40 - Scott Lawrence, Tim McMann 32 - Jerry Hartman, Johnny Johnson 30 - Darin Meierotto, Randy Spacek 27 - Rudy Grbavcich 24 - Al Uotinen 22 - Bill Byholm 21 - Jim Eliason, Brian Mikkonen, Brady Smith 20 - Tim Mackey, Dale Olson, Ron Weinberger 19 - Cory Casari, Duane Dunbar 18 - Rick Popovich 17 - Larry Haderly, Art Hyde, Don Roseen 16 - Bob Brevak 14 - Pat Beeksma, A J Foat, Bill Replogle 13 - Jim Day, Mel Ferguson, Chuck Hawkinson, Steve Stuart 12 - Todd Gehl, Shawn McFadden, Mike Sorenson 11 - Steve Anderson, Ronnie Hmielewski, Greg Jaeger, Steve Kieber, Bob Peltonen, Scott Raivala, Russ Weber, Trevor Wilson 10 - Dave Gillette, Bob Mattson, Curt Myers, Craig Thatcher, Mark Wrazidlo 9 - Keith Bogdanovic, Rick Gulbranson, Scott Hipsher, Jon Lumberg, Brian Nevala 8 - Charlie Anderson, Glenn Dammer, Ray Gregor, Davy Hankins, Al Rapp, Travis Swanson 7 - Tim Carbon, Darrell Carlson, John Copp, Dwayne Groom, Glenn Hall, Skip Meger, Rich Morrison, Darrell Nelson, Gus Omundson, Willie Rahko, Ken Tyykila 6 - Bob Anderson, Tim Baum, Mike Cole, Dave Hinrichsen, Ron Jones, John Kallas, Jimmy Latvala, Russ Maki, Ken Melanson, Tom Nesbitt, Andy Nezworski, Graham Roberts, Ron Swanson, Kevin Truchon, Ken Truscott, George Vernon, Ed Wakefield, Roger Walker 5 - Ryan Adamczak, John Alberg, Robby Bunkelman, Dale Coddington, Pat Cook, Red D’Antonio, Nathan Dees, Tony Hicks, Joey Jensen, Peter Jokinen, Rick Kilty, Darryl Kovach, Jimmy Mars, Walt Martens, Nick Nye, Joe Oliver, Joe Salner, Riece Stewart, Jeff Tout, Ken Zifko 4 - Joe Andrews, Kirk Bogdanovic, Darren Brown, Royce Casey, Kevin Eder, Rick Egersdorf, James Eliason, Harlow Filteau, Shane Halopka, Rick Hanestad, Ron Hmielewski, Mark Hudack, Don Koivisto, Jack Larson, Ross Lightner, Chris Lustig, Bill Nelson, Mike Nelson, Eric Pember, Bob Reed, Mike Rich, John Rousseau 3 - Chad Adamczak, Jim Anderson, Rich Bishop, Dave Cain, Chad Carlson, Terry Chartier, Kelly Checkalski, Greg Chesley, Dave Craft, George Dalbeck, Bob D’Antonio, Ricky Davis, Gordy Eliason, John Giernot, Lloyd Hepburn, Scott Hudack, Jay Kesan, Keane Laakson, John Larson, Brent Laursen, Lonnie Leu, Rick Long, Jerel Polacek, Rick Randall, Jim Rich, Sr., Jerry Richardson, Tom Smith, Steve Tesch, Wayne Vernon, Joe Viater, Bill Weber 2 - Curt Anderson, Stuart Anderson, Marshall Andrews, Rick Asp, Warren Beede, Jody Bellefeuille, Tony Benedict, Todd Bonney, Les Buchanon, Duane Carlson, Tim Carlson, Dennis Checkalski, Doug Copp, Duane Dale, Johnny Erickson, Dustin Follett, Bob Gherardi, Mark Granlund, Dennis Groom, Harry Hanson, Matt Hanson, Jeff Helget, Jeff Hoogland, John Hunker, Tim Johnson, John Kaanta, Steve Karshbaum, Jimmy Kouba, Lonal LaJoie, Steve Laursen, Nick Lavato, Rhys Layton, Bryan Lind, Tim Lorenz, Ken Mackey, Jim Maki, Sr., Shawn McFadden Jr, Dan McMann, Paul Milanowski, Jason Miller, Brent Mindock, Tom Morinville, Mike Pospychalla, Rick Przybylski, Jim Randall, Jerry Redetzke, Josh Rodewald, Steve Rudlinger, Ron Schreiner, Bud Schutte, Mike Truscott, Danny Tushoski, Charles Vujecevic, Rob Weber, Steve Wik, Paul Wrazidlo, Rich Wrazidlo, Pat Zdroik 1 - Dave Aho, Dane Amundson, Duane Amundson, Ashley Anderson, Billy Anderson, Brad Anderson, Dan Anderson, Jon Anderson, Scott Andrews, Rick Aukland, Kent Baxter, Kurt Beeksma, Bruce Belland, Don Berger, Larry Berglund, Don Bissell, Mike Blodgett, Austin Blom, Kevin Bogdanovic, Jason Brenholt, Craig Brightbill, Tom Brust, Greg Campbell, Dale Carlson, Joe Carlson, Ron Carlson, Craig Christiansen, Jeff Christman, Steve Christman, Cory Crapser, Joel Cryderman, Chuck DeSmith, Pat Doar, Dale Eichmann, Brian Eid, Todd Eliason, Paul Erikson, Justin Fegers, Roger Fesnik, John Fetzer, Chanda Fjorden-Nord, Dave Flynn, Paul Gilberts, Mike Goodremote, Neis Gurnoe, Chad Hanson, Paul Harelstad, Steve Hassen, Jan Hillman, Michael Hinsperger, Tim Hintz, John Hood, Matt Jacobson, A J Johnson, Bryce Johnson, Mitch Johnson, Johnny Jones, Randy Kadrich, Ed Kauppi, Mike Kelly, Shane Kisling, Paul Knauf, Rick Kobs, Myron Kurpius, Tom Lajcak, Loren Langerud, Dean LaPointe, Dan Larsen, Brent Larson, Clint Larson, Taylor Leuthner, Jeff Lien, Paul Lind, Steve Lindenberg, Jeff Lindsey, Donnie Lofdahl, Jared Loos, Butch Madsen, Duane Mahder, Jim Maki, Jr., Jeff Marshall, Jon McKinnon, Derek Milligan, Keith Monteith, Dave Morgan, John Nelson, Paul Nevala, Bill Niemi, Carl Niemi, Paul Niznik, Mickey Nosser, Kelly O’Toole, Scott Ovaska, Zack Pagels, Clay Passuello, Marty Passuello, Jim Pelto, Leon Plank, Jerry Plummer, Ron Prochnow, Jay Quilling, Roger Rager, Scott Rand, Lou Reggy, Steve Roseen, R J Rubel, Dan Schroeder, Mark Schuenemann, Dennis Schultz, Paul Schultz, Russ Schultz, Rick Schutte, Butch Sellung, Don Shedler, Dan Shefchik, Randy Silverness Jr, Joe Sinnot, John Smekoske, Lance Solem, Tom Steuding, Paul Storck, Ed Stouffer, Phil Strenke, Wayne Stricker, Bill Stuart, Rory Taber, Jeff Tardy, Mark Tody, Pat Tosch, Gary Vendela, Todd Vernon, Randy Vezina, Arden Weber, Bud Weber, Don Weber, Jerry Weigel, Wayne Wensky, Dick Wilhelm, Mike Williams, Roydon Williamson, Ray Young, Steven Young