December 11, 2023Local racing legends poised for Plymouth Racing Class of 2024 Wall of Fame induction(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) December 11, 2023 – A new group of eight drivers, three track workers and one racing family will join an esteemed list of dirt track racing standouts enshrined on the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 induction ceremony Saturday, July 13, 2024 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. In recognition of the spirit of competition and outstanding achievements at the Plymouth racing facility over the past 74 years, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee formed in late 2021 with a goal of recognizing individuals who have exemplified dirt track racing at the highest level since The Plymouth Dirt Track’s inception in 1950. The members of the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 will be recognized during a special induction ceremony at intermission of the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 13, 2024. The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 includes the following eight drivers. FUZZY FASSBENDER - Nicknamed “The Hound,” the Rubicon, Wis. driver began his highly successful racing career in 1949 comparing primarily at tracks throughout the Milwaukee area, while topping the Milwaukee Stock Car circuit point standings in 1962. Fassbender began racing at Plymouth in 1975 finishing third in the final Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Modified point standings in 1975 and 1976, while winning four feature races in 1976. Fassbender piloted purple cars throughout his career, including a well-known Gremlin model. DONNY GOEDEN – The Kewaskum, Wis. driver began racing in the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Modified division in 1985 and won two feature races in 1987. Goeden earned back-to-back EWSC Winged Modified titles in 1992 and 1993, while collecting two feature wins in 1992 and four main event victories in 1993. Goeden collected four feature wins in 1994 before turning his attention to the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series. Goeden later returned to compete regularly at Plymouth in the 360 Sprint Car division winning three straight track championships in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and tallying a total of 21 career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victories. DAVE HAAG – The Plymouth, Wis. driver opened his racing career in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1980, earning feature victories during the 1980 and 1982 seasons. After finishing second in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1982, Haag was crowned as the Hobby Stock track champion at Plymouth in 1983, while capturing four feature victories. He went on to compete for a number of years in the EWSC Sportsman division. STEVE HOFFMANN - The Plymouth, Wis. competitor began racing at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 1981 before capturing three straight Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Limited Late Model championships at Plymouth in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Hoffmann’s three straight track titles ties him with Gary Laack and Donny Goeden for the third most consecutive championships in track history. RANDY MARKWARDT – Hailing from Sheboygan, Wis., “The Mighty” Markwardt, who began his racing career in 1977, won the EWSC Sportsman title at Plymouth in 1993 and captured an EWSC Limited Late Model crown in 1999. A fan favorite throughout his lengthy racing career, Markwardt placed sixth in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model division in 2017. To promote his Markwardt Sales & Service family business, Markwardt carried a Mighty Mouse with wheels holding a wrench logo on some of his race cars. PETE OSTROWSKI – After competing in Sprint Cars and Modifieds primarily at Wilmot Raceway in the early portion of his racing career, the Milwaukee, Wis. driver started racing full time at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 1991, claiming one fast time and one feature victory in his debut season. Utilizing an aggressive, cushion-pounding driving style, Ostrowski went on to become one of the most accomplished EWSC Winged Super Modified drivers in the history of The Plymouth Dirt Track. He captured a total of four track championships at Plymouth in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2001 and won four main events in 2003 before claiming his 50th career feature victory in 2004. STEVE SCHAD – Racing out of Cleveland, Wis., Schad placed second in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1983, while racking up seven feature race victories. He then won back-to-back Hobby Stock track titles at Plymouth in 1984 and 1985, while tallying a total of 14 main event wins over the course of both championship seasons. K. J. SKELTON – The Cascade, Wis. driver began his career in the EWSC Winged Super Modified division as a teenager in 1987. His hard charging nature netted him runner-up showings in the highly competitive Winged Super Modified division at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 1991, 1992 and 1993, while claiming two feature victories and eight fast qualifier awards during the 1993 campaign. Skelton finally broke through to capture the 1995 EWSC Winged Super Modified track title on the strength of five feature victories and three fast qualifier awards. His final EWSC Winged Super Modified feature victory came in 1996 before moving on to compete in the 360 and 410 Sprint Car ranks. Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees in the Dedication to Racing category include longtime flagman Bill Krueger, who also served as a pit crew member and car sponsor, along with track workers Lee Glomski and John Laack. In addition, the McMullen family, which features three generations of racers (Jerry, Tim and Brandon) will be inducted as part of the Plymouth Wall of Fame Class of 2024 in the Racing Families category. After Jerry forged the way for the McMullen family as a competitor in the early days of racing at the Plymouth Dirt Track, Tim was a top competitor in the EWSC Winged Super Modified division from 1993 through the mid-2000s. In recent years, Tim’s son, Brandon, has been a force in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car division, earning three track titles in 2017, 2020 and 2023, while claiming a division record 33 PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victories. The names of each Class of 2024 inductee will be permanently etched on the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame, located underneath the grandstand at The Plymouth Dirt Track racing facility. The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Night event is scheduled to include a driver meet-and-greet and autograph session prior to the racing program, as well as photo and memorabilia displays showcasing the racing careers and accomplishments of the Class of 2024 Wall of Fame honorees. In addition, past Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees are invited to take part in the evening’s festivities, including the meet-and-greet autograph session. In the event of inclement weather on Saturday, July 13, a make-up date for the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony has been set for Saturday, July 20, 2024. Family members of 2024 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees and past Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 Wall of Fame inductees are encouraged to attend the induction event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Family members of Class of 2024 inductees and past Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees wishing to attend are asked to contact Ken Schulz in advance of the Class of 2024 Wall of Fame Induction Night event at kenschulz91@gmail.com.
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March 13, 2023Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame to honor (PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) March 13, 2023 – After enshrining 18 drivers, track workers and racing families among the inaugural Class of 2022, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame will add a new set of 19 names to the list of esteemed honorees as part of the Class of 2023 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, July 15. In recognition of the spirit of competition and outstanding achievements taking place at the Plymouth racing facility over the past 73 years, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee is dedicated to recognizing those individuals that have exemplified dirt track racing at the highest level since the track’s inception in 1950. The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023, which includes 11 drivers, five track workers and three families, will be recognized during a short induction ceremony at intermission of the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 15, which will feature 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, Grand Nationals, B Mods and Vintage Modifieds. The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023 includes the following 11 drivers. Steve Edler – The Sheboygan, Wis. driver earned three EWSC Sportsman championships in 1973, 1974 and 1976. Edler piled up 12 feature wins and 12 clean sweeps with 19 fast times in 1973. In 1974, Edler captured nine features, seven fast times, as well as three clean sweeps. In 1976, he had seven feature wins, two clean sweeps and 19 fast times. Frankie Heimerl – The West Bend, Wis. driver won six Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified features and took five fast times at Plymouth in 1981. Heimerl earned the EWSC Modified championship in 1983 and set a new track record in qualifying on July 9, 1983. He claimed his second EWSC Modified championship in 1990, capturing one feature victory and posting seven fast time honors along the way. Heimerl, who also competed on the Milwaukee Stock Car Club Modified circuit during his career, retired after the 1993 season. Woody Klug – The Cascade, Wis. driver began racing Modifieds in 1965 and won his first Modified feature that year. Woody placed second in points in 1966 and 1971. Klug was the EWSC Modified champion in 1970, winning a feature at 141 Speedway on June 7 and capturing another feature victory at Plymouth on June 13. Klug, who carried a Woody Woodpecker emblem on his car, notched three feature wins in 1971 before retiring. Hal Kulow – A resident of Plymouth, Wis., Kulow set his first EWSC Modified fast time at Plymouth in 1958. In 1959, Kulow won 15 races, including eight features and six fast time honors. Kulow placed second in the EWSC Modified point standings in 1967, while setting three fast times, including a new track record of 14.61 seconds. He retired after the 1967 season. Gary Laack – Racing out of Glenbeulah, Wis., Laack enjoyed success at the Plymouth track in all three of the original EWSC divisions, posting multiple feature race victories in Modified, Sportsman and Hobby Stock competition and earning a grand title of nine championships. Laack was the 1976 EWSC Hobby Stock champion before claiming eight EWSC Sportsman titles in 1977, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990 and 1992. Laack moved to the EWSC Modified division in 1994, winning one feature race and posting two fast times, while placing ninth in the Modified point standings. He also finished second in the EWSC Modified standings in 1999 and 2004. Ron Luedtke – A resident of Lomira, Luedtke won his first Modified feature in 1979. Luedtke won the EWSC Modified crown in 1982 by winning six features, including a sweep at 141 Speedway on August 18, to go along with four fast times. He took second in the EWSC Modified point standings in 1983. Luedtke, who was known as the “Flying Farmer,” retired from racing in 1986. John and Rodney Michaels – The Michaels Brothers racing team began competing in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1971. In 1977 and 1978, John and Rodney earned Hobby Stock championships, while winning seven Hobby Stock features in 1977. The Michaels Brothers won eight Hobby Stock features in 1978 before retiring in 1982. Ken Painter – Known as a fan-favorite throughout his career, Painter began racing in 1964. He took second in the Modified points race in 1969 before earning the 1971 Modified title aided by three fast times. Painter, who displayed a dinosaur on his cars, retired after the 1971 season. On Aug. 18, 1982, Painter won an Old Timer's Race at 141 Speedway, while driving a Sportsman car. Jim Pitzen – The Plymouth, Wis. driver, who was commonly referenced in racing circles as “The Boomer,” began his racing career at Plymouth in 1985 and placed second in the EWSC Sportsman point standings in 1986, 1987 and 1992. Pitzen captured a total of four EWSC Sportsman titles in 1988, 1989, 1994 and 1995. He won four feature races and had nine fast times in 1988, while racking up a total of 32 feature EWSC Sportsman feature race victories during his career. He retired after the 1995 season before returning to compete in the Limited Late Model division at Plymouth in 2003 and 2004. Scott Vollbrecht – The Sheboygan Falls, Wis. competitor began racing in 1977. Vollbrecht secured EWSC Sportsman championships in 1982 and 1984. In 1982, he recorded five feature victories and had three fast times, while setting a Sportsman track record of 15.63 seconds. In 1984, Vollbrecht captured two feature victories and 11 fast times, along with one clean sweep. Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023 inductees in the Dedication to Racing category include track workers Donna Bader, Beth and Tom Breyer and Evie Robel, along with car owner and mechanic Glenn Haddy. In addition, the Akright, Ruh and Wondra families will be inducted to the Plymouth Wall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 in the Racing Families category. The names of each Class of 2023 inductee will be permanently etched on the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame, located underneath the grandstands at The Plymouth Dirt Track racing facility. The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee intends to honor a new group of inductees on an annual basis, during future racing seasons at The Plymouth Dirt Track facility. In the event of inclement weather on Saturday, July 15, a make-up date for the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony has been set for Saturday, July 22. Family members of 2023 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees are encouraged to attend the induction event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 15. Those wishing to attend are asked to contact Ken Schulz in advance at kenschulz91@gmail.com.
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Jan 15, 2023
Plymouth Dirt Track Racing would like to announce that for the 2023 racing season, we will be embracing one of the best racing apps out there, My Race Pass. ___________________________________________________Jan 11, 2023The excitement is building for Night #1 of the Super Six Late Model Series at PDTR on Saturday May 6th, Presented by Advanced Compressor Technology! The other nights are as follows: We are also going to be doing the Random Product Giveaways each night again, right after the Driver's Meeting. There will be product giveaways all 6 nights, with a couple nights being 2 different drivers will win a product. Our product sponsors so far are as follows: Each Night we will also be randomly giving away 4 pit passes to one driver, thanks to: Qualityfreightrate.com , Goeden's Auto Body , Eisentraut AG Services , Waldo Oil , Pit Stop Pizza & Roger & Dan's Auto Service, Inc. . _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ June 28, 2022 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame to debut with Class of 2022 induction Saturday, July 23(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 28, 2022 – Since the first race car hit the track in 1950, a host of outstanding racers have put their skills to the test over the past 72 years at the dirt track located on the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. In an effort to honor the spirit of competition and outstanding achievements originating at the Plymouth racing facility over the past 72 years, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee has forged plans to recognize those that have exemplified dirt track racing at the highest level with the creation of the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame, which will launch with the induction of 10 drivers, four track workers and three families as part of the inaugural Class of 2022. The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2022 will be recognized with a short induction ceremony at intermission of the Plymouth Dirt Tracking Racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 23. The inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2022 includes the following 10 drivers. Dick Berth – The Cedar Grove, Wis. driver earned the 1971 and 1972 Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Sportsman division championships before claiming the 1987 Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified division title at Plymouth. Etchie Biertzer – After starting his racing career in the Milwaukee area in the 1950s, Biertzer became a regular in the Modified division at Plymouth in the 1970s winning four consecutive Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified titles in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980. He is currently one of four drivers to earn four consecutive division championships at Plymouth. Buck Carman – The Sheboygan Falls, Wis. driver was a top competitor in the Sportsman division at Plymouth between 1965 and 1984, earning four Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Sportsman division titles at the Plymouth track in 1966, 1967, 1970 and 1981. Willie Goeden – The St. Michaels, Wis. driver started racing Modifieds in the Milwaukee area in 1963 and retired in 1987 while driving Late Models at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna. Goeden earned three Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified championships at Plymouth in 1973, 1974 and 1981. Goeden raced at 38 different race tracks during his 24-year career. Wayne Goetsch – The Plymouth, Wis. driver began his racing career in 1957 and continued to race into the early 2000s. Goetsch earned back-to-back Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified division titles at Plymouth in 1985 and 1986. Dick Hed – The Sheboygan Falls, Wis. driver captured the 1966 Eastern Wisconsin Stock Sportsman and 1969 Modified championships at Plymouth. Hed also competed in the Limited Late Model division at Plymouth from 1999 through 2004 and has been a regular competitor in the Grand National division at Plymouth since 2012. Bill Johnson II – The Milwaukee, Wis. driver earned Modified championships on the Milwaukee area circuit during the 1960 before competing regularly at Plymouth in the 1970s where he earned Modified championships in 1972 and 1976. Johnson’s ashes were spread at the start/finish line at the Plymouth track. Carl Kulow – The Plymouth, Wis. driver competed in the Modified division from 1951 through 1970 earning two Modified titles on the Milwaukee Stock Car Circuit in the 1950s before claiming the 1963 Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified championship at Plymouth. Ken Markwardt – The Sheboygan, Wis. driver raced from 1959 to 1974 earning five Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified championships at Plymouth in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967 to go along with a Modified title at 141 Speedway in 1966. Markwardt earned a total of 97 A-main feature victories in his career. Ken Steffen – After starting his racing career in the early 1960s, Steffen claimed the 1964 and 1968 Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Sportsman titles at Plymouth. Steffen waged spirited duels with Buck Carman through his career for Sportsman track titles, feature victories and fast qualifier awards at Plymouth. Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2022 inductees in the Dedication to Racing category include track workers Karen and Donny Ruh, Bill Hoftiezer, Happy Laack and Eddie Foy. In addition, the Goetsch, Laack and Schulz families will be inducted to the Plymouth Wall of Fame as part of the Class of 2022 in the Racing Families category. The names of each inductee will be permanently etched on the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame, located underneath the grandstands at The Plymouth Dirt Track racing facility. The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee intends to honor a new group of inductees on an annual basis, during future racing seasons at The Plymouth Dirt Track facility. Family members of 2022 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees are encouraged to attend the induction event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 23. Those wishing to attend are asked to contact Ken Schulz in advance at kenschulz91@gmail.com. |
"Racing Recollections"
details stories of Plymouth Dirt Track racers, fans The diverse and intriguing collection of strong personalities, memorable characters and dedicated individuals who have played a role in accentuating the sounds, sights, color and excitement of the sport of dirt track racing over the course of the past 70-plus years at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. serve as the centerpiece of the new motorsports book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” from Pedal Down Promotions. After releasing “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Covering the 1950 through 2020 Seasons” in 2021, Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Racing Historian Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, Wis. and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Historian George Baumann of Waupun, Wis. have teamed up with former Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car reporter Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls, Wis. to showcase the drivers, fans, workers, pit crew members, car owners and racing enthusiasts, who have helped to make dirt track racing a beloved summertime pastime at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. for the past 72 years. Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis., “Racing Recollections” features 120 pages |
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of profiles and backstories from each decade of The Plymouth Dirt Track’s history, as well as wide selection of nearly 100 color and black and white photos, which bring the side-by-side racing action to life in vivid detail. “Readers will find interviews from 1997 through 1999 of drivers at Plymouth, along with interviews conducted between 1999 through 2002,” Darovich said. “Also included are responses from officials, drivers and fans to a 2021 questionnaire. While the majority of the focus is on those that competed at and attended races regularly at Plymouth, there is also information from other area tracks, including 141 Speedway, Cedarburg Speedway, Hales Corners Speedway, Slinger Speedway, Wisconsin International Raceway and other tracks in the Milwaukee area. There are also many new and unique recollections from a wide range of fans, race officials and car builders. “In addition, a special section of this book covers the Sheboygan Speedway and legends specials at Wisconsin International Raceway,” he said. “Many different drivers were included in ‘Racing Recollections,’ such as John Born, John Kraemer, Dave Deicher, Mark Johnson, Bob Brion, Dean Bares, Rick Van Der Vart and Dick White to name a few. Photos were contributed by John Surges of Vintage Modified Stock Car, RC Custom Design, Frank Motorsports, Bob Diener, Tom ‘T.J.’ Ott, Jerry Giebler, Sheri and Marla Nytes and the book contains an alphabetical listing of driver photographs. Bill Mueller also contributed his typing and proofreading talents to the book, along with writing the foreword.” Just as it did with last year’s “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” book, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing is a strong supporter of the “Racing Recollections” book project with additional backing coming from the family of Tom “T.J.” Ott, Impress Floor Care, Hopf Farms and Doug’s Skip’er Inn. In addition to being on sale for $15 during 2022 racing events at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis., “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” is also available in e-book and paperback formats on barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” can also be purchased at the Sheboygan County Fair Office, located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. Monday through Friday, during regular business hours. Additional information on Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and the upcoming 2022 PDTR racing season can be found at www.plymouthdtr.com. For more information, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting www.pedaldownpromo.com. |