July 1, 2011 at 6:06 p.m.
Local track focused on families
Eagle River Speedway's uniqueness adds to excitement
Local track focused on families
By Jonathan Bailey-
Opened in 1975 as KG Raceway, Eagle River Speedway offers plenty of opportunities for both its drivers and fans. Racing in five different divisions, including a class for 5-12 year olds, takes place every Tuesday night, with autograph sessions and special nights scattered throughout the season.
Current track owner Mark Glembin, who grew up playing on the oval playground owned by his father Ken, has kept the family-focused atmosphere alive on a track which is unique to the area.
"The track is geared a lot towards families," he said. "We've got a unique track that you don't really find any place else. It brings a lot of excitement to drivers and fans because of the unique layout."
Originally built as a quarter-mile clay track, Eagle River Speedway was slowly converted to a third-mile, D-shaped oval, that is challenging for the drivers to compete on, but enjoyable for the fans to watch.
The introduction of two new, permanent, divisions in 2011 has also added to both the competition and fan experience.
After racing on an every other week basis for the past several years, the Micro-Sprint (600cc) and Junior Sprint classes became a full-time attraction earlier this year.
"The speed that (the Micro-Sprints) can carry are much faster than the regular stock cars can go," Glembin said. "The beginning class, the Junior Sprints, kids can start racing at five years old. It's all about families and getting kids started in racing."
Eagle River Speedway is one of the first race tracks in the state to add those classes to its weekly racing schedule. Glembin said that the closest location that Micro-Sprint racing can be found is in Escanaba, Mich.
The race track in Sun Prairie also started racing those cars this year and a new track opening in St. Croix is planning to as well.
In terms of business for the Eagle River Speedway, which has been down a little bit this year because of the economy, the addition of the two new classes have helped generate interest.
"There's is a lot of talk about it because the uniqueness of it," Glembin said. "People are just getting oriented in the area with it."
Other racing divisions that Eagle River Speedway offers are the Midwest/Sport Modifieds, the Street Stocks and Pure Stocks.
In addition to the on-track excitement, including the two new divisions, the speedway also holds several special racing nights throughout the season.
Some of the notable events remaining on the schedule are the Midwest/Sport B-Modified Shoot-out (July 26), the Great Northern Modified Open (Aug. 9) and the racing of ABC Speedway's Six Cylinder class (Sept. 4).
An autograph session with the drivers during the intermission of a regular race program is slated for Aug. 2.
Racing takes place every Tuesday night at Eagle River Speedway with hot laps beginning at 7 and racing getting underway at 7:30.
Rain dates are set for Thursday, with the exception of the Sept. 4 race, which will occur Sept. 5 if necessary.
For more information call (715) 479-5208 or visit the track's website at www.eagleriverspeedway.com. The speedway is located at 3919 Cloverland Dr. in Eagle River.
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