March 2, 2015 at 3:42 p.m.
TNT Speedway to reopen in 2015
Seven classes of racing planned for Three Lakes high banks
TNT Speedway to reopen in 2015
James Koga and Jaime Pooch, a couple from Eagle River, have leased the one-third mile clay oval from owners Tim and Patti Rutzen, with the option to purchase the facility outright in the future. The track will operate under the name "TNT Motor Speedway" this year.
Koga, who has raced the past few seasons in the Pro Truck class at Eagle River and TNT speedways, said he's followed the track since its opening in 1995 and is thrilled to have an opportunity to run the facility.
"My grandfather used to take me there when I was a kid," Koga told the River News. "It was always a dream to race and now that my grandpa's no longer here, I was racing and the opportunity arose to take it over, leasing the track with an option to purchase and we jumped at it because we were both in the position where we could do that."
Pooch, who operates a business in Eagle River, said she too is a race fan and is eager to have the opportunity to bring the Three Lakes track back to life.
"I like being out at the track," she said. "Even before we were together, me and the kids were up in the stands. It's a great night out. It's something to do."
The couple has big plans for the 2015 season, which is scheduled to commence May 16 and culminate Labor Day weekend with a two-day special. Koga said the plan is to run the five classes that TNT has run in the past - WISSOTA-sanctioned Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks, along with Pure Stocks (a.k.a. Bombers), Pro Trucks and Stingers. Additionally, a pair of winged sprint car classes - the Junior Sprints and the Micro Sprint 600s - will be added to the program, for a total of seven classes that will race on a weekly basis.
In particular, Koga said it was important to give the Stingers, a class featuring four-cylinder, front-wheel drive subcompact cars, a place to run in the Northwoods.
"Most places did away with them but we've gotten a lot of feedback on them because it's a good entry-level (class)," he said. "Someone doesn't have a lot of money to race they can basically take some plastic out of the vehicle, put a roll cage in and they can run."
Also planned for the 2015 season are special trophy nights for all seven weekly classes. Koga said medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each class each night.
The couple said they will attempt to create a family-friendly atmosphere the track, which they said is vital for the future of the sport.
"We've got two young kids who are going to be living at the track also," Pooch said. "They give a lot of input on what they want to see, what they want to have. We're gearing it toward being a family event. The kids have to have something to go for."
Koga added, "We want to make it where the kids have something to look forward to and be a part of. That's important to us because if the next generation doesn't race, there's no more racing. Why play a video game when you can do it in real life?"
TNT Speedway opened in May 1995 and was operated by the Rutzens through 2011. A group of racing enthusiasts leased the track in 2012 and operated it under the name "Three Lakes TNT Speedway LLC." The Rutzens resumed operating the track in 2013, but decided not to open in 2014. The Rutzens have had the track on the real estate market for years.
"Owners, Tim and Patti Rutzen have spent several months of negotiations with the couple, and are happy to announce the changeover," a short press release announcing the transaction stated. "Saying they feel confident that this is a great move for the speedway as James and Jaime have some very neat plans for the track for drivers and fans alike, and a lot of new energy."
Pooch said keeping TNT Speedway in the track's name is a nod to the work the Rutzens put into the track for nearly two decades.
"Tim and Patti did such a great job out there for how many years," she said. "It's not something we want to change or take away. It's something we just want to improve and continue."
Though the track was idle last season, Koga said he's confident racers and fans a like will return in droves this summer.
"The venue has so much potential. With it sitting vacant a lot of drivers parked their vehicles for the year because they liked the high-banked oval," he said. "There's not many places that have banking like that. The pits are very nice for a driver. The concessions are nice for the fans. They've got updated plumbing, plenty of seating, they've got the picnic tables. The overall location is great. It's on the highway."
With opening night less than three months away, the couple said they are busy lining up sponsors, licenses and everything they need to hit the ground running. They said one major partner - NAPA of Rhinelander and Minocqua - has come on board as a presenting sponsor.
"NAPA has been very good to us and we're very proud and honored to have NAPA partner with us with their ideas and what they want to do out there," Koga said.
Koga said a preseason racecar show and tune/test day is tentatively scheduled for May 9, weather permitting. He also indicated the possibility of racing snowmobiles and holding events not related to racing at the track in the future.
Information regarding the 2015 season, including a schedule and rules for competitors, can be found on the track's website, www.tntspeedway.com. Koga and Pooch may be contacted for additional information at [email protected].
Editor's note: In the interest of full disclosure, River News Associate Editor Jeremy Mayo was employed as the track announcer and reporter at TNT Speedway from 2002-13. He is not currently affiliated with the track in any capacity.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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