It will be a homecoming for some, when the Advanced Fastening Supply Badger Midget Auto Racing Association opens its 2024 season at Beaver Dam Raceway this Saturday. Four Badger drivers have a strong tie to the track.
This will be the season opener for both Badger and the facility, as the original weekly show at Beaver Dam was cancelled, last Tuesday, due to weather.
RECHEK IS READY
Of those drivers making a homecoming, Matt Rechek, a native of Beaver Dam, is perhaps the most fired up, noting, "It's exciting to be able to get back to Beaver Dam with the midgets, I've run several different divisions there in the last 20 years. I've got more laps around Beaver Dam than anywhere, so hopefully home field advantage is worth something.
Beaver Dam is one of, if not the, 'raciest' tracks I've been to. You'll see at least 3 different, distinct lines develop throughout the night, which always makes for great racing. Hopefully in the future we can get more shows there, but for now we'll try and make the best out of the two nights at BDR this year."
He'll be up against a fellow Beaver Dam driver in Aaron Muhle.
BDR LEADS THE WAY IN MOVING DRIVERS FORWARD
In all of Wisconsin, certainly in the dirt ranks, Beaver Dam Raceway is a leader in growing the sport. In terms of a homecoming, both 2023 Badger Rookie of the Year, Parker Jones and fellow 2023 rookie, Eric Blumer have a lot of laps at BDR via their INEX Legend program. Beaver Dam Raceway hosts the only weekly INEX dirt racing in the state. For Blumer, also a Beaver Dam resident, it goes one step further as he's a graduate of BDR's karting program. This has been the springboard for numerous Wisconsin dirt drivers from Modifieds, to Sprint Cars and Midgets.
Saturday, Badger shares the card with the IRA Sprint Cars and the Dirt King Late Models. Joe Bongiorno is a regular with the latter circuit and is also a BDR Legends grad.
SPOILING THE SURPRISE
In the first, of what we hope, are many surprises in 2024, fans will see former Badger Midget Series, Beaver Dam Raceway winner, Aaron Fiscus, back in action. He is planning to be in a familiar looking car, with an equally familiar number, fielded by the Douglas Motorsports team Saturday.
BEAVER DAM DATA SHEET
Badger's last race at BDR was in July of 2021, the top three in order were, Jeff Zelinski, Scott Hatton and Chase McDermand. Zach Boden led the qualifications over 31 other cars, with a time of 15.51.
This is the first of two BDR appearances for Badger. They'll revisit the track on Saturday, June 29, as day-one of a doubleheader weekend to include Angell Park Speedway the next day.
The "Wisconsin Triple Crown," will feature the Badger Midget Series, IRA Sprint Cars and Dirt King Late Models. The pertinent times and fees, taken directly from the track's media outlets are as follows:
Order of Events:
4:00 - Dirt Kings Hot Laps
BMARA Hot Laps/Qualify
IRA Qualify
DK Qualify (2 at a time)
5:25 National Anthem
5:30 Heat Races:
BMARA
IRA
DK
IRA Dashes (Draw in Pits)
B-Mains (if necessary, same order as Heats)
A-Mains:
BMARA
IRA
DK
Pits Open @ 2:30
$30 Adult Pit Passes
$15 Pit Passes (under 12)
Grandstands @ 3:30
$25 Adult GA
$10 Ages 6-12
Ages 0-5 FREE
VIP Tables: $125
Lawn Chairs welcome, No Carry-Ins Please!
Please rely on Beaver Dam Raceway's outlets for the most accurate and up to date race day info.
According to the IRA website, the race will be available live on FloRacing via streaming.
Article Credit: Bill Blumer Jr (Badger Media Director)
Photo Credit: Bill Blumer Jr
- William Blumer on Apr 18, 2024
- Article Date: 4/18/2024