By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, May 16, 2008) – No matter if you are traveling east or west on Hwy 18 between Jefferson and Cambridge, you will see it. And if you travel on that road on a Saturday night during the summer, the darkness is illuminated by the lights and a full parking lot. It’s Jefferson Speedway, a quiet success in American short track racing.

This Saturday night, the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment will make their second visit to the 56 year old facility with the running of the Kwik Trip Stores 100. For many fans and competitors, including this writer, it’s a return to the track where our love of racing started.

For me, it was the summer of 1982 when friends of my parents invited us out for a night of racing at the quarter-mile facility. I remember going through the gate and walking up the hill to find a seat between turns one and two.

The hill is just one of the unique characteristics of the facility. From there a fan has a perfect view of the entire racetrack with no obstructions. It’s on the hill, where many fans can say they, “go and drink a beverage and act smart.�

That night we were treated a great racing program to where we saw over 100 cars compete, today a fan still sees 100 plus every Saturday night with their five different divisions. I was a little scared the first night, but after that it became an addiction, an addiction that is still there 26 years later.

Jefferson Speedway, owned by the Tucker family since 1968, continues to thrive as a successful short track in southern Wisconsin. It has a loyal fan base that many tracks wish they had. They arrive at the same time every Saturday, and they sit in the same seats. For them, it’s like going to church every Sunday morning.

They are entertained by not only the racing action but by long standing track announcer, Randy Kamenick whose excitement in his voice, unique nicknames for the drivers and unusual requests keep the fans paying attention all night long. The fans usually know that the race program is nearly over when Randy calls out his order of double buttered scoop popcorn with extra salt. And if a competitor happens to roll his car over during a race event, Mr. Kamenick is waiting for him/her at the end of the night with a case of their favorite adult beverage to help ease the pain.

Oh, one word of warning, your heart may skip a beat when Randy screams, “Oh…look out� during a Hobby Stock or Bandit division race this Saturday night. It usually comes out of nowhere and it is suggested that you be prepared by simply watching the action on the track. Hopefully, this will be something that ASAMT track announcer, Matt Panure, doesn’t learn from his upcoming first visit.

The flagman is not high above in the flag stand, but instead is just right above the wall in what is unofficially called the “chicken coop.�

As a first time visitor, you find yourself in a very unique atmosphere, one that you won’t find anywhere else.

The track itself is unique and it provides some of the best side-by-side racing action around. The turns are not the same, as turns one and two are progressively banked at a graduated 0/4.5/7.5/11 degree banking where the driver on the inside line has the preferred groove. But that all changes as they enter turns three and four where they will find 6/9/12 degree banking and the driver on the outside line will have the preferred groove.

It all ads up to classic Saturday night short track racing at its best, especially when the track will take on 26 of the best Midwest competitors in 500hp super late model cars this Saturday night. It will be “Certified Super Late Model Excitement� at its finest.

Last year, it was Nathan Haseleu returning to the track which helped start his racing career by winning the first ASAMT event at Jefferson. Who will it be in 2008? The answer to the question will be known this Saturday night.

Jefferson Speedway is located off of Hwy 18 between Cambridge and Jefferson, WI. ASAMT Qualifying for the Kwik Trip Stores 100, gets underway at 5:00 pm with racing at 6:30 pm. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and take part in the popular autograph session starting at 5:45 pm.

For more information, please visit their website at www.jeffersonspeedway.com.
To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and the engine giveaway program, please contact the ASA Midwest Tour office by calling (262) 514-3880 or by e-mailing Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.

To learn more about the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.asa-racing.com.