Super Late Models

NASCAR Stars, National Super Late Model Aces Battle in Dixieland

The Dixieland 250 at Wisconsin International Raceway is one of the most prestigious and historic events in the Upper Midwest and Tuesday night’s entry list reflects it. But first, how did a race located in Kaukauna, Wisconsin receive the name Dixieland, you ask? The race was created in 1981 to attract NASCAR superstars, traditionally from […]

by
Matt Weaver
August 3, 2020

Midwest Tour

The Dixieland 250 at Wisconsin International Raceway is one of the most prestigious and historic events in the Upper Midwest and Tuesday night’s entry list reflects it.

But first, how did a race located in Kaukauna, Wisconsin receive the name Dixieland, you ask?

The race was created in 1981 to attract NASCAR superstars, traditionally from the Deep South or Dixie, to race in Wisconsin against the Midwestern short track elite.

While the race now has a new name in the Gandrud Auto Group 250, the concept remains the same.

Two-time and defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch will make his first Super Late Model start of the season on Tuesday night and is looking to avenge a 2017 disqualification that stripped him of the prestigious win. Busch has a previous Dixieland victory that came in 2007. Bubba Pollard is the most prominent Super Late Model driver in the country, and is from the Deep South, meeting the criteria of the Dixieland moniker.

Johnny Sauter is now a NASCAR champion and mainstay, but before that, he was a superstar Midwestern short track ace. He is amongst the six former winners to have filed an entry for Tuesday night’s race following his wins in 2010 and 2014. He has also vowed to enter December’s Snowball Derby if he can win the Dixieland.

Defending winner Ty Majeski is also a NASCAR regular now, driving full-time for Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series, but has filed an entry in the attempt to go back-to-back.

Casey Johnson, Rich Bickle and Dennis Prunty are also previous winners to have filed an entry for the $10,000-to-win showdown.

Derek Kraus developed his skillset in the Midwest Tour before running a full-time Truck Series season in 2020. He’s back in pursuit of his biggest Super Late Model win. Reigning Snowball Derby winner Travis Braden, a former full-time ARCA contender and winner, will be in attendance with his Platinum Motorsports No. 26.

There are 39 total cars on the entry list and 28 of them will start the main event. A last chance race will determine the starting lineup. The front gates will open at 4 p.m. CT with qualifying at 5 p.m. and racing at 7. Two 45-minute practice sessions is scheduled for 2:15 and 4:15.

The Gandrud Auto Group 250 will air live on Speed51 on Tuesday night for $25. Click here for ordering information and broadcast details. The complete entry list can be found below.

Luke Fenhaus
Johnny Sauter
John DeAngelis, Jr
Paul Shafer, Jr
Braison Bennett
Derek Kraus
Andy Monday
Bobby Kendall
Andrew Brocker
Austin Nason
Carson Hocevar
Gabe Sommers
Cayden Lapcevich
Grant Griesbach
Bubba Pollard
Travis Braden
Cory Manders
Pete Vandermolen
Trevor Vandermolen
Maxwell Schultz
Louis Goss
Tim Springstroh
Andrew Morrissey
Dennis Prunty
Justin Mondeik
Jeff VanOudenhoven
Rich Bickle, Jr
Casey Johnson
Kyle Busch
Sammy Smith
Brent Strelka
Ricky Baker
Boris Jurkovic
Jonathan Eilen
Ryan Farrell
Ty Majeski
RJ Braun
Dalton Zehr

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Matt Weaver

Matt Weaver is the owner and founder of Short Track Scene. Weaver grew up in the sport, having raced himself before becoming a reporter in college at the University of South Alabama. He also has extensive experience covering NASCAR, IndyCar and Dirt Sprint Cars.

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