Wisconsin International Raceway encompasses over 120 acres and features a 1/4-mile dragstrip and ½-mile oval with a 1/4-mile, figure 8 track inside it.
After the 2017 season, Roger Van Daalwyk sold the track to his son Dan and his wife Ginger Van Daalwyk. Together, they are carrying on the history the track has made within the motorsports community.
“My wife and I just recently acquired the track from my father late last year,” said Dan Van Daalwyk, Wisconsin International Raceway owner. “We are in the process of getting facility up and running for race season and are looking forward to an exciting season.”
Opened in 1966 by Joe Van Daalwyk, Connie De Leeuw, and Clyde Schumacher, multiple records have been broken at WIR with some of the most famous racers ever to grace the facility.
Former track champions include NASCAR champions Matt Kenseth and the late Alan Kulwicki. NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin and the late Dick Trickle were former champions of the track’s Red, White and Blue Series, while three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Unser ranks among the other major race winners. Names such as “Fast” Albert Fontanini have taken passes down the drag strip, which was named the IHRA Summit SuperSeries Track of the Year in 2012.
“The racers at WIR have moved way beyond being competitors and even friends. Everyone that frequents that facility seems to come from the same family,” said Jon O’Neal, IHRA Division 1, 3, & 5 Director. “Along those lines, it’s refreshing to see the facility stay within the Van Daalwyk tree as Dan takes the helm from Roger."
“The amount of blood, sweat tears and cash that they have put into keeping the place a thriving destination over the years can’t be measured and it’s in good hands moving forward.”
Wisconsin International Raceway is a track that you will find many families from the area flock to. Ticket prices are kept low with kids 12-and-under admitted free.
During the season the dragstrip plays host to 17 rounds of IHRA Summit SuperSeries bracket racing.
At the end of the year, the winners of the Top (Box), Mod (No Box), and Junior Dragster divisions all earn the right to attend the IHRA Summit World Finals in Memphis, Tenn., if they an IHRA member and have an X number. (IHRA membership will allow a competitor free entry to the Summit World Finals if they sign up to become a Summit SuperSeries member at their member track and win their track championship.)
“I see a lot of our members who run the X number and are excited to represent Wisconsin International Raceway at the World Finals.” Van Daalwyk commented.
For those interested in competing for an IHRA track championship and their chance to represent their home track at the IHRA Summit World Finals in Memphis, please call 561-337-3015 or email membership@ihra.com.
