2/28/2026
Rice Lake Speedway
Rice Lake Speedway Racers Celebrate
Rice Lake WI – Saturday night, February 21st the racers, crews, sponsors and fans of the Rice Lake Speedway joined with track owners Rice Lake Speedway LLC (Dick Kalow, Dean and Kolby Kiehl) to celebrate the second year of racing under the new ownership group and to honor those racers that led the way at the speedway in 2025.
For the first time ever the track banquet was held at the St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake and the entire evening was an unqualified success. What was believed to be the largest crowd in modern history for the track's race banquet was on hand to honor the top five competitors in each of the track's five divisions along with rookies of the year in each class along with other special awards and presentations.
The Casino has already been selected to host the banquet again in 2027.
Heading the list of honorees were the five point champions at the speedway. Winning those titles were Blake Adams from Cameron in both the Modifieds and Midwest Modifieds, Leslie Leu from Medford in the Super Stocks, Danny Richards from Mondovi in the Street Stocks and Rob Grabon from Cameron in the Pure Stocks.
Along with receiving their six foot trophies as point champions, each of the champions was honored with a highlight video of their season at the speedway that was produced by Cushion Banger Media.
Joining Adams in the top five for the Modified class were runner up Simon Wahlstrom from Mikana, Aiden Hoffman from Rice Lake, Bryan Hessler from Chetek and Joe Chaplin Jr. from Cameron.
Along with Leu in the Super Stocks, others in the top five were Alex Myers from Cameron, Ryan Olson from Ladysmith, Curt Myers from Cameron and Mickey Anderson from Dallas.
As a multiple winning driver, Adams was joined in the Midwest Modifieds by second place Travis Anderson from Colfax, Cody Cimfl from Chetek, Mike Schnider from Chetek and Jake Stai from New Auburn.
It was another great year for the Richards family in the Street Stocks as Danny Richards was followed in second place by his son Cole, also from Mondovi, Cimfl, also a double honoree in third, Zach Beaulieu from Chetek in fourth and Connor Franson from Conrath with his best finish ever, rounding out the top five.
Behind champion Grabon in the Pure Stocks were Bob Wahlstrom from Chetek in second, followed by Steve Karshbaum from New Auburn, Mark Barta from Rice Lake and Marlene Lannet from Rice Lake.
The top rookie driver in each class was also honored. To complete a remarkable racing season at the Rice Lake Speedway, not only did Blake Adams win the point title in both the Midwest Modified and Modified class, he was also the rookie of the year in the Modifieds. Chris Gross from Turtle lake was the Super Stock rookie of the year, finishing twenty first in the track standings. Cade Johnson, the seventh place finisher in the Midwest Modifieds, came all the way South from Iron Minnesota every Saturday night to earn the honors in that class. Layla Chaplin from Cameron finished fourteenth in Street Stock points to earn honors in that class and Mark Barta, who finished fourth in Pure Stock points, earned honors in that class.
The Unsung Hero Awards, as picked by the track ownership, were track employees Brian Rinehart and Jeff Bender.
Curt Myers, during the 2025 racing season broke the track record for all time feature wins in the Super Stock class, a record held by Don Drew and for a long time considered untouchable. Myers announced his retirement from racing following the season and was honored with a video trubute put together by track announcer Ben Brost and Built 2 Media.
Racers at the speedway should be looking for a press release to be issued soon that will detail some exciting changes for them for the 2026 season, with news that all of them should appreciate.
Upcoming for the speedway as racing season starts to approach is the Tree Stand Tavern Race Party to be held on Saturday, March 7th. Starting at 2 pm, this will be an opportunity for racers and fans to gather with prizes, raffles and activities for kids and adults with all proceeds going toward the purchase of more bikes for the annual Kid's Night celebration at the track. More information is available from Jodi at 715-559-7721.
On March 27-29, the annual Cedar Mall car show will be held with race cars in all classes that race at the speedway expected to be on display along with karts from the Rice Lake Speedway Speed Pit Kart track. Along with the car show, a race car and go kart parts swap meet will be held on Saturday, March 28th in the old Dunhams Sports location. There is no sellers fee but all must pre register to sell. Contact the track ownership with any questions.
The opening night for the 74th consecutive season of racing at the Rice Lake Speedway is Saturday night, April 25th .
Article Credit: Ed Reichert