Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Projects moving ahead at Tri-Oval Speedway
Fountain City, Wis. — Weather permitting, the Tri-Oval Speedway is set to open at 7:30 p.m. today.
The stock car track is located just north of Fountain City at 2895 Hwy. 35.
This is the third year of racing since the track’s reopening. This is the second year it will race on Friday nights.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and kids age 12 and under are free. Pit passes will cost $20.
This year could feature a few new things aside from stock cars.
First, Jeff Duellman is now co-owner with St. Paul area native Kenny Bruhn, and Bruhn is paving the way to putting in a motorhome park near the track.
The two are also in the process of building another track to be done by at least July 4 weekend. On that weekend, the Tri-Oval is hosting a slew of racing, including Arena Trucks.
These trucks will run on the new track consisting of jumps and bumps. But the track won’t be used just for the trucks. Duellman plans to utilize it for more anything that moves — four-wheelers, motorcycles or anything else.
“If it’s loud and fast, we’ll run them here,” Duellman joked. “We have the facility. We may as well run everything there is. If they want to race it, we’ll make a place for them to race.
“Look for that track probably this year even. We’re working on that right now.”
The motorhome park — where race fans will be able to spend the night — may not be done for some time, however.
“It will all depend on permits and licenses,” Bruhn said. “I can’t tell you when it will be done, but not for awhile. We’re setting up parking and driveways to for the homes. We have to wait for permits for electricity, sewer and water.”
Aside from the July 4 weekend special, the Tri-Oval will feature a pair of the pros on the USMTS Modifieds tour on June 13 and July 25.
“The track has sort of been known as hard to drive, but they’ve come here and said it’s unbelievable,” Duellman said. “It’s a track to be mastered. Those
nights will give our local guys a chance to run right up with the pros, because
they don’t know the track like our local guys.”
Lastly, the Tri-Oval introduced the slingshot class — sort of like a glorified go-cart for racers ages 6 and older — last season. The slingshots are back, but will now be called Midwest Mini Modifieds.
IF YOU GO
Tri-Oval Speedway opener
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Tri-Oval Speedway, 2895 Hwy 35, Fountain City, Wis.
Tickets: $10 adults, $8 seniors, kids 12 and under free.
Race classes: USRA Modifieds, WISSOTA, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Street Stocks.
Point champs 2007: Midwest Modifieds, Josh Angst; Street Stock, Brad Dennis; Super Stock, Gary Wiersgalla; Open Modifieds, Bob Timm.
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