joeverdegan.comJun 29, 2021
VERLYN GIGUERE NO. 5 - BUILDING HIS OWN MODIFIED
In the mid to late 1990's when it seemed most top IMCA modified drivers were wheeling Pro chassis', Verlyn decided he'd take a stab at building his own chassis.
Something that even in the '90's was slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Give episode No. 5 a listen!
VERLYN GIGUERE - WINNING A LOT WITH BERNIE BAYE
In the mid 1990's Verlyn Giguere served as a 'hired gun' of sorts - driving for Bernie Baye.
Giguere and Baye were a solid team - racking up feature wins and track championships along the way.
One year Verlyn raced 100 nights!
Give episode No. 4 a listen!
VERLYN GIGUERE NO. 3 - BUILDING THAT 1ST IMCA MODIFIED
By the time the late 1980's rolled around the IMCA modifieds had begun to soar in popularity in northeastern Wisconsin.
After racing the late model class for several seasons, Verlyn Giguere decided to give this new open wheel division a try.
Give episode No. 3 a listen!
REMEMBERING WARREN 'CORNY' SCHMIDT
The racing world recently lost Warren 'Corny' Schmidt.
Corny hailed from the Leopolis/Pella area and was a big part of Shawano Speedway history dating back several decades. He raced himself and served as a flagman and race director over the years.
We caught up with Corny last year and Corny reflected on some stories from racing over the years. Enjoy these memories. Rest in peace Corny.
DOUG VANDEN LANGENBERG - 'FROM GREEN TO CHECKERED, YOU'RE MINE'
While his own stock car racing career wasn't all that long, Doug Vanden Langenberg served as the chief starter for a number of northeastern Wisconsin dirt tracks.
Doug shares some great stories with us during his flagging career. Give them a listen!
VERLYN GIGUERE - IT'S NOT CHEATING UNLESS YOU GET CAUGHT
In episode two of our series with 2024 Shawano Speedway Hall of Famer Verlyn Giguere, the Green Bay native talks about things like 'bending the rules' a bit and that may or may not include a story about (gasp) nitrous oxide!
Give episode No. 2 a listen!
TOM HOCKERS - PREVIEWING THE 2024 'THURSDAY NIGHT THUNDER' ACTION
Current Fox River Racing Club (FRRC) president Tom Hockers gives us a sneak preview of sorts of what's ahead for the FRRC's 'Thursday Night Thunder' schedule at Wisconsin International Raceway in 2024!
Give it a listen!
VERLYN GIGUERE - FROM DRAGS TO OVALS
In this maiden voyage of the Verlyn Giguere podcast series of interviews, Verlyn talks about getting his feet wet in his rookie season at Shawano Speedway in the early 1980's.
Give it a listen!
DOUG VANDEN LANGENBERG - RACER TURNED FLAGGER
Before he was an accomplished starter at a number of Northeastern Wisconsin dirt ovals, Doug Vanden Langenberg had some fun behind the wheel of a dirt late model himself during the mid 1980's.
Listen in as Doug tells us all about it!
LARRY INGEBRETSEN - "WHEN YOUR TOOLBOX GETS BIGGER THAN YOUR COOLER YOU HAVE A PROBLEM"
De Pere native Larry Ingebretsen years ago uttered the most famous of quotes that relates directly to the "fun" factor in short track racing.
"When your toolbox gets bigger than your cooler, you've got a problem."
Listen in as we talked to this retired racer who's among the likeable fellows you'll ever meet.
2012 BILLY MOYER INTERVIEW - SHAWANO SPEEDWAY
In 2012 we caught up with Billy Moyer at the World of Outlaw late model show at Shawano Speedway.
Interesting to hear some of Moyer's takes on the sport of DLM racing some 12 years later. Some things have changed. Some things have REALLY changed.
Give it a listen!
BRIAN WAECHTER - SHORT, BUT SUCCESSFUL RACING CAREER
When Brian Waechter's racing career kicked off in the late '80's in northeastern Wisconsin the IMCA modifieds were still relatively new to the area.
The Kewaunee pilot raced his way to track titles on the dirt in Seymour and Luxemburg. We recently caught up with Waechter who reflected upon his racing career which wrapped up almost a quickly as it started in the early 1990's.
Give it a listen!
NAME DROPPING WITH ROGER VAN DAALWYK
In our 8th and final episode of the Roger Van Daalwyk podcast series , the longtime WIR track owner/general manager provides some keen insight to some of the more colorful players who've helped shape WIR into the iconic facility it is to this day.
Give it a listen!
THE HISTORY OF WIR'S EVE OF DESTRUCTION
One of the more popular events at WIR's oval throughout the decades is the popular event that takes place every year in early September - the Eve of Destruction.
Longtime track owner/general manager Roger Van Daalwyk talks about teaming up with Mike Bunnell and building this iconic event of epic proportions. It's the Daytona 500 for the Figure 8 drivers with a whole lot of mayhem thrown into the mix!
Give episode No. 7 a listen!
THE DIXIELAND - WIR'S TRADITIONAL 'TUESDAY BIGGIE'
In episode six with longtime WIR track owner/general manager Roger Van Daalwyk, Roger details the birth of the popular 'Dixieland' races on the first Tuesday night in August.
The big event drew several big name NASCAR drivers over the years and continues to do so to this day.
Give it a listen!
THE HILL RACEWAY IS READY FOR 2024
We recently caught up with the new promoters of The Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay.
Listen and learn about what prompted John and Adam Sternard to take the plunge and keep the lights on for racing in Door County in 2024!
FOX RIVER RACING CLUB HISTORY
For several decades the Fox River Racing Club (FRRC) has been the club that has promoted the weekly 'Thursday Night Thunder' races at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna.
Longtime WIR owner/general manager Roger Van Daalwyk talks about the history of WIR and working with the club officers over the years. Enjoy!
OUTAGAMIE SPEEDWAY - LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024
Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car (EWSC) announced their 2024 season schedule for another year of weekly racing at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds.
We recently caught up with EWSC's John Tienor who gave us a glimpse of what lies ahead on Friday nights this summer at the third-mile, clay oval located in Seymour, Wisconsin.
Give it a listen!
THE BIRTH OF THE RED, WHITE & BLUE SERIES
Dick Trickle was the first ever Red, White & Blue state champion at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna in 1972.
In episode # 4 of our podcast series with longtime WIR owner/general manager Roger Van Daalwyk, Roger recalled how and why the RW&B series got started. Who was all involved in it's creation and all the top drivers who have competed in the prestigious series over the decades.
Enjoy this episode!
EVEL KNIEVEL'S TRIP TO WIR
When legendary daredevil Evel Knievel made an appearance at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna in the early 1970's, Roger Van Daalwyk was sort of 'assigned' to be a personal assistant of sorts to the flamboyant showman.
In episode # 3 Roger recalled his weeks when Evel stayed at the Van Daalwyk's home and what Evil was like. Give it a listen!
ROGER VAN DAALWYK - WIR'S GM @ 18
The year is 1972. Richard Nixon is the president of the United States. Don McClean's 'American Pie' topped the billboard charts.
And an 18-year-old Roger Van Daalwyk took over as General Manager of KK Sports Arena - later to be renamed Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna.
Listen in as Roger talks about his early tenure at the fabled oval!
ROGER VAN DAALWYK - KK SPORTS ARENA
As a teenager, Roger Van Daalwyk performed any task whatsoever as directed by his dad, Joe Van Daalwyk, as KK Sports Arena hosted stock car races in Kaukauna, Wisconsin in the mid to late 1960's.
Those tasks prepared him for when he would later take over as the track's general manager. Listen in to Roger's great stories!
TOM HOCKERS - FROM BIKES TO OFF ROAD TRUCKS & SUPER LATE MODELS
De Pere's Tom Hockers has been in some form of motorsports nearly his entire life.
We recently caught up with the current Fox River Racing Club (FRRC) president. Hockers reflects upon his own racing career, which began as a youngster racing motocross.
Give it a listen!
CURT KEENE - 'HAS MICROPHONE - WILL TRAVEL'
Whether it's announcing a stock car race, hockey game or hosting his radio show, Curt Keene has been announcing sporting events since his teenage years.
We turned the tables on this Wausau native recently as Keene was on the other end of the microphone, sharing his stories.
Give it a listen!
CRAIG KOWALESKI - RACING SPOTTER EXTRAORDINAIRE
When it comes to spotters whether it's the paved short tracks or the bigger shows in ARCA and NASCAR, Green Bay's Craig Kowaleski has earned a reputation as one of the best in the biz.
We recently caught up with Craig and he talks about how he got his start into being a top notch spotter and the incredible path and the number of drivers he's worked for over the years.
This one's a dandy! Give it a listen!
ROSS GOLDBECK - RECALLING THE ULTRA TOUGH WIR SPORTSMAN DIVISION
Ross Goldbeck was one of the competitors in the Fox River Racing Club's tough sportsman division that did battle on the quarter-mile oval at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna in the 1970's and into the 1980's.
Goldbeck tells stories about his he got into the racing biz.
Give it a listen!
PARKER RETZLAFF - LIVING THE NASCAR DREAM
At just 20 years old, Rhinelander, Wisconsin native Parker Retzlaff continues to turn some heads in the NASCAR Xfinity series.
We recently caught up with Retzlaff as he returned to his roots at Eagle River Speedway's third-mile clay oval.
Give it a listen!
NASCAR'S JOSH BILICKI - "I'LL RACE ANYTHING WITH A MOTOR"
It's not often a NASCAR Cup driver randomly shows up at a dirt track nestled in Wisconsin's northwoods on a Tuesday night in the middle of the summer.
But NASCAR Cup driver Josh Bilicki of Richfield, Wisconsin did just that in a recent "pop in" visit to Eagle River Speedway. Bilicki talked about his road racing, the grind of beating the bushes to raise money to race in NASCAR, and a whole lot more.
Give it a listen!
WILLARD RADDANT - RECALLING WOLF RIVER RACING ASSOCIATION (WRRA) AND MORE
Willard Raddant served as secretary of the Wolf River Racing Association (WRRA) and raced exclusively Ford stock cars with his brother LeeRoy Raddant in the 1970's and beyond.
We recently caught up with Willard, who spends time in the summer months back in Wisconsin watching his grandson Kyle Raddant keep the family name going in the local racing circles.
Give it a listen!
PETE VERCAUTEREN - REFLECTIONS FROM A LONGTIME MOTORSPORTS JOURNALIST
De Pere native Pete Vercauteren had a great career as a motorsports journalist, covering races starting in the late 1960's at the long defunct Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere, Wisconsin.
We recently caught up with Pete and he reflected about his time covering races, a lot of great De Pere racing history, and much more. Give it a listen!
AL SNELLENBERGER - RECALLING THE COUPE ERA OF THE '6O'S
Pulaski's Al Snellenberger is one of a few remaining folks left who battled in the ultra-popular coupe era of the 1960's at the Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere and the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds in Luxemburg.
Al reflects upon those days in this podcast. Give it a listen!
DILLON KRALOVETZ - NORWAY SPEEDWAY LATE MODEL DOMINANCE
Bonduel, Wisconsin's Dillon Kralovetz enjoyed a ton of success at Norway (MI) Speedway - winning five straight late model championships before hanging up his helmet.
At 35, Kralovetz recently became the youngest ever inductee into the Speedway's Hall of Fame. Kralovetz revealed what drew him to tow north from Shawano County all those years to battle weekend traffic on Friday nights.
Give it a listen!
TERRY MOTT - MEMORIES FROM A NORWAY SPEEDWAY HALL OF FAMER
Norway, Michigan's Terry Mott got his start as a volunteer corner worker at Norway (MI) Speedway in the 1960's.
The 2023 Norway Speedway Hall of Famer reflected upon his colorful career, which included racing, his famous Cadillac Seville in 1980, and serving in several capacities for the Dickinson County Racing Association.
Give it a listen!
DON BRITTON - REFLECTS UPON RACING CAREER IN MICHIGAN, CANADA
We recently caught up with 2023 Norway Speedway Hall of Famer Don Britton.
The Marquette, Michigan native reflected upon his brief but successful racing career - one which saw him race four times in three days including twice on Sundays!
Give it a listen!
EDDIE MUENSTER - CATCHING UP WITH A SHAWANO SPEEDWAY HALL OF FAMER
Green Bay's Eddie Muenster is considered one of the pioneers of the northeastern Wisconsin IMCA modified racers dating back to the late 1980's.
We recently caught up with this 2023 Shawano Speedway Hall of Fame inductee. Eddie reflected upon his career in motorsports, which actually began in motocross. Give it a listen!
ED REICHERT - DECADES OF COVERING DIRT SHORT TRACK RACING
Spooner, Wisconsin's Ed Reichert has been covering the short track racing scene on dirt tracks for decades in Wisconsin, Iowa and MInnesota.
We recently caught up with the retired school teacher and we talked about the days of the popular racing trade papers, short track trends over the decades and much more. Give it a listen!
GORDIE SEEGERT JR. - REFLECTIONS ON HIS DIRT LATE MODEL CAREER
Gordie Seegert Jr. , a recent Shawano Speedway Hall of Fame inductee, had a solid career wheeling dirt late models at tracks like Shawano and Langlade County Speedway in Antigo. He actually cut his teeth at the long defunct Hales Corners Speedway near Milwaukee.
We recently caught up with Gordie and he shared with us some great stories about his storied racing career. Give it a listen!
SCOTT HANSEN IS NAME DROPPIN'
In our ninth and final segment with Scott Hansen we throw some names at Scott of fellow racers, friends and other players in the racing community and Scott provides his honest take on those folks. Everybody from NASCAR, ASA, ARTGO and many others.
This one's a dandy folks and a great way to wrap up the "Titletown's Racing Champion" podcast series. Enjoy!
SCOTT HANSEN - PARTNERING WITH KEN SCHRADER, NASCAR TRUCKIN' & MORE
When the late '90s came about Scott Hansen partnered up with his old friend Kenny Schrader to do a little NASCAR Craftsman truck series racing.
Hansen will be the first to admit it wasn't really his cup of tea - for a number of reasons. Enjoy episode number 8!
MAKING A LIVING SHORT TRACKIN' IN THE '90S
In the '90s the sponsor money flowed freely and the regional and national pavement short track scenes remained on solid footing.
Scott Hansen, racing for Baker Motorsports and All-Star Racing, enjoyed racing for a living on the paved short tracks from coast-to-coast.
Hansen talks about those experiences in episode 7. Give it a listen!
SCOTT HANSEN - WIR DOMINANCE, BOYCOTTS, BUDWEISER & MORE
Green Bay's Scott Hansen, despite not having a Fox Valley zip code, managed to win five straight Fox River Racing Club (FRRC) late model track titles from 1985 thru 1989 at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
During that period he was able to land a lucrative sponsorship from Budweiser with Dean DIstributing, and even got into a bit of a tiff with ARTGO promoter John McKarns and WIR promoter Roger Van Daalwyk when it came to getting appearance/show money or a lack of it.
Scott tells all in episode # 6. Give it a listen!
LITTLE BUCKAROO - KEEPING THE KARTING SCENE ALIVE AND WELL
We recently caught up with Brian Ambrosius of Little Buckaroo Jr Motorsports Park in Cecil, Wisconsin.
Brian talks about the upcoming season of Friday night karting in this podcast episode! Check it out!
SCOTT HANSEN - TRANSITIONING FROM DIRT TO TAR
In the early 1980's Green Bay's Scott Hansen continued to battle on the dirt tracks of northeastern Wisconsin.
But it was a chance meeting with a Green Bay insurance agent at a car wash of all places which turned out to be an eventual game changer for the soon-to-be five time WIR late model champion.
Check out episode # 5!
SCOTT HANSEN - ENTER THE 1980'S
When the 1980 season rolled around, Scott Hansen purchased an asphalt exclusive race car for the first time out of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
It was rough going at times, racing at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna during a truly loaded field each Thursday night. Scott also paid an occasional visit to the newly repaved Norway (MI) Speedway with his buddy Bob Menor the "Ranger City Racer."
Give episode # 4 a listen courtesy of Muenster Service Center!
ROGER PERRET - COUPES, LATE MODELS, TRUCKS & MORE
Green Bay native Roger Perret is one of a handful of former racers still around who battled in the popular coupe era of the 1960's at tracks like the Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere and Shawano Speedway in Shawano.
We recently caught up with Roger and he recalled his racing days - which began in the 1960's. Give it a listen!
SCOTT HANSEN'S 1979 SEASON WITH LUEBKE BROS.
In 1979 Scott Hansen hooked up with the Luebke Bros. racing team out of the Fox Valley. Hansen's car was affectionately dubbed "The Arkansas Hog Scraper" and Hansen continued to ply his craft, learning weekly on the dirt tracks at De Pere, Shawano and he even began dabbling more with the pavement at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
You could say it was a "precursor" of things to come.
Give it a listen!
1977 - HANSEN'S FIRST FEATURE WIN, BOYCE TRACKBURNER CHASSIS & MORE
After two seasons of being primarily a backmarker and racing in mainly the slow heats and semi-features, Scott Hansen's Uncle Curt Hansen purchased a Boyce Trackburner chassis from Gene Wheeler of Appleton heading into the 1977 season.
Driving that car, Scott Hansen not only captured his first feature win that year (Luxemburg Speedway) he was able to mix it up with some of the best - Roger Regeth, J.J. & Jerry Smith, Roger Paul and the like instead of following them.
Give episode # 2 a listen!
JOHN BORN - EWSC SPORTSMAN STANDOUT
Cleveland, Wisconsin's John "Ripple" Born was a top competitor in the sportsman division in the 1980's at both the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth and at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek when the track was still a quarter-mile, paved oval.
We recently caught up with Born and he reflected upon his racing career. Give it a listen!
GREEN BAY'S RACING CHAMPION SCOTT HANSEN EPISODE NO. 1
Scott Hansen got bitten by the racing bug as a kid - tagging along as his dad Rollie Hansen flagged at a handful of race tracks in northeastern Wisconsin in the 1950's and 1960's.
Check out the first episode of nine as this five time WIR champion and five time Milwaukee Mile winner talks about the early days of his racing career!
EPISODE 8 - HALL OF FAME INDUCTION, ROAD AMERICA AND PARTING THOUGHTS
In this eighth and final episode of "Meet The Muellers" at joeverdegan.com Roger Mueller opines about getting inducted into the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame. Eric Mueller chats about his role as the P.A. announcer at Road America and more.
Enjoy!