One Main Series Comes to Rice Lake Speedway

By Ed Reichert

Rice Lake WI – The highly anticipated return of the Late Models to the Rice Lake Speedway happens next Saturday night, July 30th when the One Main Financial WISSOTA Challenge Series makes a stop at Rice Lake's third mile oval.
Late Models have not appeared at the Rice Lake Speedway since 2012 and a strong field of cars is anticipated for the middle night of a three night swing for the series that also features two nights of racing in the Twin Ports of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

As the Challenge Series moves into the second half of their schedule, this coming weekend's races could play a big part in who will be crowned the 2016 One Main Financial Challenge Series champion. Currently, Jeff Provinzino of Hibbing Minnesota is the point leader, carrying an eight point advantage over Jake Redetzke of Eau Claire Wisconsin. Veteran Lance Matthees from Winona Minnesota is a single point farther behind and the top eight in series points are within twenty five points of the leader.

Since Rice Lake does not run the Late Models on a regular basis, no one has the home track advantage and it will be very interesting to see who comes up with the hot setup to tame the third mile oval and bring home the top prize of $2000.
Redetzke, Matthees and defending Challenge Series champion John Kaanta from Elk Mound Wisconsin probably have as many laps as anyone on this track but drivers such as Chad Mahder, Steve Laursen, Pat Doar and A.J. Diemel can not be overlooked. Many of the top drivers from all over the WISSOTA region are expected to be on hand for the race which will likely feature one of the best fields of Late Models to visit Rice Lake in many years.

As a special bonus, the other five divisions that race on a regular basis at the Rice Lake Speedway will also be on hand for a complete racing program so fans will be able to enjoy a top notch night of Modified, Midwest Modified, Super Stock and Street Stock racing, all WISSOTA sanctioned along with the Rice Lake Pure Stocks.

The pit gate will open at 4 pm on race day with the grandstands opening one hour later. The draw cutoff is 6:30 pm for racers with hot laps and racing to follow.

The Rice Lake Speedway is located one mile north of Rice Lake midway between state highway 48 and Barron County SS. The track phone number is 715-236-2002 and co-owners Dave Adams and Mitch Hansen can be reached at 715-205-2861 and 715-205-1122 respectively.