Tom Beschta, news@shawanoleader.com
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz A water truck drives around the track to pack the clay surface ahead of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Sundrop Shootout at the Shawano Speedway. Rain early Tuesday evening made for soggy conditions at the track, but the Outlaws still went racin’.
Leader Photo by Tom Beschta A driver is given some final words before entering the track prior to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Sundrop Shootout racing program Tuesday at the Shawano Speedway.
In the five years the World of Outlaws Late Model Series has come to the Shawano Speedway, the races have always been a major draw.
Brad Luepke, promotions and marketing manager for the Shawano Speedway, said “we sell probably a good 1,000 to 1,500 more tickets” than for the weekly race schedule.
“What we order for concessions compared to a regular night is probably triple what we probably do on a Saturday night,” he added. “We are pretty busy.”
Luepke said these extra guests come from far and wide. He said prior to Tuesday’s races, he was visited by people from Arizona, Kentucky and Missouri.
“We have had people call us from Canada,” Luepke said.
Outlaws have friends in Shawano
Storm clouds and rain gave way to sunshine and the feet of many anxious race fans skidded through mud toward the Shawano Speedway while Speedway President Dale Hodkiewicz helped prepare the track for the return of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.
“We should be ready to rock and roll,” Hodkiewicz said prior to the races.
This year’s event drew around 40 Late Model drivers, making for a great night of racing as local drivers took on the better known professionals.
Hodkiewicz said the event always draws a large crowd to the Speedway.
“It’s been good. Ticket sales have been outstanding, and it’s bringing money into the town,” Hodkiewicz said.
Hodkiewicz said he always looks forward to having the World of Outlaws visit.
“It’s just an all-around good event for the community,” Hodkiewicz said.
A familiar face in a big crowd
Over the last 10 years or so, racing fans at the Shawano Speedway have been able to bank on seeing a familiar face sitting beneath the grandstand, selling souvenirs almost every Saturday night.
Janice Grosskopf was there again Tuesday for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Sundrop Shootout.
“I just like it here,” Grosskopf said.
Grosskopf, of Bowler, is helped by Leland Carroll, also of Bowler. She said she enjoys coming to the Speedway to sell her souvenirs and talk to people.
“I can’t believe is how much food they sell here,” Carroll said.
Big Apple driver likes Wisconsin
Fresh off a big win at the Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois, Late Model driver Tim McCreadie returned to the Shawano Speedway on Tuesday for the third time with the World of Outlaws series.
McCreadie, 40, was the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion and, with two wins this season, was tied for second in the series’ points standing heading into the Shawano race. He races out of Rochester, New York, and is the son of renowned Modified driver “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie.
Tim McCreadie spent some time in the NASCAR Busch Series, and said he has raced throughout the country, from Florida, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Nevada, California and everywhere in between.
“I have been everywhere, it feels like,” McCreadie said.
The next stop on McCreadie’s schedule, and for most of the Outlaws, is Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond this weekend for the USA Nationals. He said it is nice to have the two races close to each other and that the Shawano Speedway is a nice track to visit.
“It’s nice when it’s prepped right,” McCreadie said. “It’s just like any other race track.”