3/30/2023
WISSOTA
Historic Improvements to Speedway Motors WISSOTA 100, Structural Buildings WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series, and Adding a Brand New Premier Event
Speedway Motors Returns as WISSOTA 100 Title Sponsor, Race of Champions Events Removed from WISSOTA 100 Weekend Lineup, Structural Buildings WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series Champion to be Crowned at WISSOTA 100, and MPH AFCO Invitational to Serve as Prelude to the 100 for Mod 4’s, Pure Stocks and Hornets.
(St. Cloud, Minnesota)
March 31st, 2023
The WISSOTA Promoters Association is thrilled to announce new and exciting changes to this year’s Speedway Motors WISSOTA 100, held September 12th through September 16th at the I-94 emr Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
WISSOTA Executive Director Rod Lindquist said ‘we have many great changes and additions to this year’s WISSOTA 100, and we are extremely excited to bring them to our great fanbase in Fergus Falls in September.’
First, Speedway Motors returns as the title sponsor of the WISSOTA 100 once again this season and Lindquist said of the partnership, ‘we have had a great relationship over the years with Speedway Motors and we all look forward to continuing the partnership in years to come.’
Second, after sixteen years of hosting the Race of Champions (ROC) races at the WISSOTA 100, the WISSOTA Board of Directors has elected to remove them from the program to make room for other event enhancements and to continue to strive to get each nightly program done at a respectable time for fans and racers alike. One of the enhancements made from this board decision is to allocate payouts from the Race of Champions events and add to the qualifying features early in the weekend.
Third, a very exciting addition to the Wednesday night portion of the WISSOTA 100 this year will be the crowning of the Structural Buildings WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series Champion, powered by AFCO, in a $2,500 to win series finale that will kick off the 100 weekend on September 13th in a significant way and will feature the crowning of the Series Champion at WISSOTA’s biggest event of the season as well. Challenge Series Race Director, Chris Stepan said, “There is no better time or place to crown the Challenge Series Champion than at the WISSOTA 100. The Challenge Series is WISSOTA’s premier series and the WISSOTA 100 is WISSOTA’s flagship event, so to crown the Challenge Series Champ at the 100 seems to be the perfect fit.’
And finally, one of the largest changes WISSOTA has in store for this year is featuring the Mod 4’s, Pure Stocks and Hornets in a prelude event, named the WISSOTA AFCO MPH Invitational, which will be held on Sunday, September 10th at the Bemidji Speedway in Bemidji, MN. This event will serve as the WISSOTA 100 for these three classes allowing the three divisions to compete in their own prestigious event, on a big stage, in front of a large and loyal fan base eager to watch the anticipated high-level competition, instead of competing at the 100. WISSOTA.TV will be on location producing play by play live streaming as well for fans not able to make it to the track for the event in person. WISSOTA President Rob Palmer said ‘it’s no secret that the car counts for these three classes at the WISSOTA 100 have struggled in recent years, so the thought here is to allow these three divisions - the most grass root classes that WISSOTA has - to compete in their own event, at a smaller-sized track in an area that is local to a lot of these racers, allowing WISSOTA to honor them in the way they deserve.’ Kerri Hart, Marketing Director for AFCO Performance Products said ‘we liked the idea presented to us by WISSOTA during PRI last December. After hearing what WISSOTA is doing with the MPH Invitational and the 100 this year, we felt this was the direction we wanted to take our marketing efforts and are excited to be a part of what should be an excellent event in Bemidji and continue our efforts with supporting the WISSOTA 100 as well.’ All three MPH Invitational Champions will have their cars on display at the WISSOTA 100 the following weekend, will lead the parade of champions on Saturday, and will be showered with pomp and circumstance as the champions of this brand new premier event.
Additionally, for the WISSOTA AFCO MPH Invitational, an open practice will be held on Saturday, September 9th for competitors wishing to turn some laps before the event on Sunday and a DJ will be set up in the grandstand area after practice on Saturday night to kick off the weekend as well.
Keep your eyes out for more exciting information regarding the new WISSOTA AFCO MPH Invitational and this year’s Speedway Motors WISSOTA 100 as the events get closer during the weeks and months ahead. Fans can always rely on www.WISSOTA.org for the most up to date event information.
Submitted By: Camryn Sullivan