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Shawano Speedway To Host 2002 NASCAR Champ, Winningest Driver
Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth To Be Part of Track's Schedule
by Bob Schafer
April 2, 2003
SHAWANO, WI - The two biggest headline grabbers during the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season are both scheduled to make appearances at the Shawano Speedway during the coming summer months as Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth have both been contracted for separate events.
Kenseth, who won more races on the Winston Cup tour than any other driver last year, will be on hand when the WISSOTA Challenge Series hits the track on Wednesday night, June 4th for the Menominee Casino Bingo Hotel 30. Kenseth will sign autographs and serve as the honorary starter for the event.
Defending NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Stewart will make his first ever appearance at the Shawano Speedway on Monday night, June 23rd as he has been named the Grand Marshall for the Mohican North Star Casino 40, the opening round of the 2003 United Midwestern Promoters' Summernationals Series.
"This is really something that the Shawano Speedway and Shawano County Ag Society is doing for the great fans of the track," said Fair Board President Warren Schmidt. "Bringing in two of the biggest names in NASCAR racing is great for everyone.
"There are a lot of people out there that think that this track just sits around and does nothing different. Both of these races will be something different. I think both will generate a lot of excitement for the fans and bring in new people to the track."
Kenseth, a former short track racer in Wisconsin and multi-time champion at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, never actively competed on a dirt track during his stay in the Badger State. Stewart, on the other hand, still dabbles in dirt track racing throughout the country. Basically, if it has a steering wheel Stewart will drive it.
"Our contract with both Tony and Matt says that they are coming to Shawano to sign autographs, have an interview, and be the starter for the feature race," Schmidt went on to say. "But with Tony it will be hard to keep him out of the car. That's the bottom line. He is a racer."
The WISSOTA Challenge Series is a traveling circuit that pits the best local drivers from throughout the area against others from Western Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Canada. As many as 40 cars are expected to take part in the show on June 4th.
The UMP Summernationals tour has become the top rated racing series by fans of dirt track stock car racing during the past three years. Hitting over 20 different tracks in seven states from June 23rd through the middle of July, the Summernationals is a grueling test and brings out some of the best drivers from throughout the country.
"The two series really don't have that much in common but both give the fans a special night at the track," Schmidt said. "The Challenge Series concept is great because you get some of the best WISSOTA drivers to compete against our regular guys.
"The UMP race is a whole different game. The rules for that are more liberal. The cars are lighter, the motors are stronger, and the cars are a little faster. Both shows will be great."
Fans are encouraged to watch for an announcement regarding advance sale tickets for both races.
Two non-racing events have been slated for 2003 as the Shawano County Fairgrounds looks to diversify in its offerings. A Great American Wild West Show will take place on the weekend of May 31st while a rodeo has been set for Saturday, June 14th. Because of that there will be no racing at the track on those particular Saturday's.
"With all the special racing in June it comes naturally that we do these other things," Schmidt said. "We are still having the same number of races as we had in June last year, just with a few wrinkles."
For more information contact the fair office at (715) 526-5419.
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