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Red River Valley Speedway Celebrates 50 Years, Return Of WoO Sprint Cars
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Since 1967, auto racing at the Red River Valley Speedway has been a staple for the dirt track racing community in the upper Midwest. From the onset, the track's high speeds and close racing attracted the country's top drivers and fans nationwide. The track was quickly tagged with the nickname "the fastest track in the upper Midwest" as it was conducive to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour down its long straightaways.
On Friday, May 5, that tradition continues as the speedway prepares to kick off its 50th anniversary of racing.
Since taking the reigns of Red River Valley Speedway last season, Nick Skalicky and Jake Bitker have taken a track that was once an afterthought, after sitting dormant on the Red River Valley Fairgrounds for nearly four years, and opened a thriving track.
With a debut 2016 season under their belts, the duo is set to open the doors on its 2017 season Friday. This year, the track will have more race dates, bigger events and more attractions for the fans.
Last December, the track announced the return of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars and hometown favorite, Donny Schatz on June 17.
"Getting the World of Outlaws back is pretty huge," said Skalicky. "They have been a big part of the history of Red River Valley Speedway and we are happy to bring them back this year."
New to the weekly racing schedule this year will be the addition of the vastly popular IMCA stock car class. Since adopting IMCA sanctioning in 2016, there has been a big demand to introduce the stock cars into the weekly program.
The stock cars have a similar appearance to the street stocks that have previously run at the speedway in years past but allow for more aggressive suspension sets and engine packages.
The track will also provide entertainment for the kids including a candy toss, a rubber-duck toss and an autograph session with the drivers.
Other events at the speedway include:
• Dakota Cat 100 May 25-26. The event features a 42-lap IMCA Modified main event each night, benefitting local veteran driver Mike Bruns Sr., who was injured in a race at a dirt track in Minnesota last season.
• Starr Fireworks display following the races on June 23.
• On Sunday, July 16, there will be free admittance into the races with a Red River Valley Fair gate admission purchase. The Northern Outlaw Sprint Association 410c.i. winged sprint cars will join a lineup of IMCA modifieds and stock cars.
• The Northern Late Model Racing Association returns to the speedway on August 2, followed by the top modified event of the year, the Sanders Modified Challenge Tour, on August 18.
• August 25 concludes the regular Friday night racing season, with the final weekend of racing taking place September 29 and 30 with the INEX Legend Nationals.
For more information, visit redrivervalleyspeedway.com.
On Friday, May 5, that tradition continues as the speedway prepares to kick off its 50th anniversary of racing.
Since taking the reigns of Red River Valley Speedway last season, Nick Skalicky and Jake Bitker have taken a track that was once an afterthought, after sitting dormant on the Red River Valley Fairgrounds for nearly four years, and opened a thriving track.
With a debut 2016 season under their belts, the duo is set to open the doors on its 2017 season Friday. This year, the track will have more race dates, bigger events and more attractions for the fans.
Last December, the track announced the return of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars and hometown favorite, Donny Schatz on June 17.
"Getting the World of Outlaws back is pretty huge," said Skalicky. "They have been a big part of the history of Red River Valley Speedway and we are happy to bring them back this year."
New to the weekly racing schedule this year will be the addition of the vastly popular IMCA stock car class. Since adopting IMCA sanctioning in 2016, there has been a big demand to introduce the stock cars into the weekly program.
The stock cars have a similar appearance to the street stocks that have previously run at the speedway in years past but allow for more aggressive suspension sets and engine packages.
The track will also provide entertainment for the kids including a candy toss, a rubber-duck toss and an autograph session with the drivers.
Other events at the speedway include:
• Dakota Cat 100 May 25-26. The event features a 42-lap IMCA Modified main event each night, benefitting local veteran driver Mike Bruns Sr., who was injured in a race at a dirt track in Minnesota last season.
• Starr Fireworks display following the races on June 23.
• On Sunday, July 16, there will be free admittance into the races with a Red River Valley Fair gate admission purchase. The Northern Outlaw Sprint Association 410c.i. winged sprint cars will join a lineup of IMCA modifieds and stock cars.
• The Northern Late Model Racing Association returns to the speedway on August 2, followed by the top modified event of the year, the Sanders Modified Challenge Tour, on August 18.
• August 25 concludes the regular Friday night racing season, with the final weekend of racing taking place September 29 and 30 with the INEX Legend Nationals.
For more information, visit redrivervalleyspeedway.com.
