A quartet of former Norway Speedway Stateline Challenge winners are among the drivers expected to battle in the 38th annual event Friday July 2 presented by Island Resort & Casino & Aurora Liquors.
NASCAR truck champion Johnny Sauter will make a return after a two-year absence to the Stateline Challenge. The last time the Necedah, Wisconsin native was at Norway Sauter won during a wild finish in which he tangled with two-time Stateline Challenge winner Dalton Zehr with five laps remaining.
Sauter will wheel the familiar Coleman Racing Products 119 entry. Zehr, who called Menominee, Michigan home for several years has since relocated to Madison, Wisconsin where he works for Gildan Racing and John Beale. Zehr captured the Stateline titles in 2015 and 2017 and won the track championship in 2013. Although Zehr hasn’t competed regularly at Norway in more than a few years the Florida native has one of the highest winning percentages at Norway and is considered a threat to win anytime he rolls through the pit gate.
When it comes to winning percentages though it’s tough to top 2020 winner Justin Mondeik’s record at Norway. The Gleason, Wisconsin racer has scored six wins in seven outings at the third-mile, paved oval. Five of those victories came during a perfect 2020 campaign when he won every time he showed up.
Appleton, Wisconsin’s Reichenberger has raced sparingly in recent seasons but competed at the opening night race this season where he placed sixth. Reichenberger’s Stateline win came in 2007 and he has a pair of track titles under his belt as well (2007 and 2011).
A field of more than two dozen drivers from Wisconsin and Michigan are expected to fight their way into the 18 car field to start the 75 lap feature.
Over the years Wisconsin visitors have recorded 25 Stateline challenge wins while Michigan drivers have found victory lane during this prestigious event 11 times.
The list of former winners of Norway Speedway’s Stateline Challenge reads like a “who’s who” of short track racers in the Midwest.
The first ever race was in 1981 and was won by short track legend Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
The pit gates open at 3 p.m. Qualifying begins at 5:45 p.m. Racing gets underway at 7 p.m.
The July 2 event also serves as the Kent Pearson Memorial, honoring a former track champion and two time Stateline Challenge winner (1982 and 1983).
Please check our website norwayspeedway.com and also our page on Facebook for further information or email ostermannjohn@hotmail.com.
Norway Speedway Stateline Challenge Winners
2020 – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, WI
2019 – Travis Sauter Prairie Du Sac, WI
2018- Johnny Sauter, Necedah, WI
2017-Dalton Zehr, Menominee, Mi
2016- Kris Kelly, Norway, Mi
2015- Dalton Zehr, Menominee, Mi
2014- (Tundra Race)
2013- Dillon Kralovetz, Bonduel, WI
2012- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI
2011- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI
2010- No Race
2009- No Race
2008- No Race
2007- Mike Reichenberger, Appleton, WI
2006- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI
2005- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI
2004- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI
2003- Terry Baldry, Omro, WI
2002- Dale Peterson, Escanaba, MI
2001- Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, WI
2000- Wayne Breitenfeldt, Wausau, WI
1999- Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, WI
1998- Dale Peterson, Bark River, MI
1997- Terry Baldry, Omro, WI
1996- Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, WI
1995- Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, WI
1994- Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, WI
1993- Matt Kenseth, Cambridge, WI
1992- Bob Menor, Wausaukee, WI
1991- Bob Menor, Wausaukee, WI
1990- Terry Baldry, Omro, WI
1989- Allen Check, Stevens Point, WI
1988- Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
1987- Scott Hansen, Green Bay, WI
1986- Scott Hansen, Green Bay, WI
1985- Mike Mattson, Marquette, MI
1984- Mike Kelly, Norway, MI
1983- Kent Pearson, Kingsford, MI
1982- Kent Pearson, Kingsford, MI
1981- Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, WI