ATTENTION SPORTS/MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NASCAR TRUCK CHAMPION JOHNNY SAUTER RETURNS TO NORWAY SPEEDWAY JULY 6
(’18 Daytona Speedweeks winner to compete in the 35th annual Stateline Challenge)
(Norway, MI) – Defending NASCAR truck series champion and Necedah, Wisconsin native Johnny Sauter will return to Norway Speedway in 2018 to compete in the 35th running of the Stateline Challenge presented by Island Resort & Casino & Aurora Liquors Friday, July 6.
Sauter is hot off winning the season opening NASCAR truck series event at Daytona International Speedway last week. The second generation racer annually competes in a handful of short track races in Wisconsin and for the second straight year the NASCAR champion has included Norway Speedway on his list of stops.
“Johnny’s personality, his popularity, sense of humor, and generosity towards the sport he loves certainly reminds me and resembles that of Dick Trickle,” said John Ostermann of the Dickinson County Racing Association (DCRA). “We’re thrilled to have him back.” Sauter’s appearance is made possible by Coleman Racing Products of Menominee.
Many past winners of this prestigious event will be honored on the track during a ceremony at intermission. In the history of the Stateline Challenge 18 different drivers have won the prestigious race, with Escanaba’s Jamie Iverson capturing the highest number of event wins with five. The late Dick Trickle won the very first Stateline Challenge which was held at the third-mile, paved oval in 1981. To date, Wisconsin drivers outnumber Michigan drivers in the total number of series wins with 21 victories. Michigan drivers have collected 11 race wins.
The season opening race at Norway Speedway is slated for Friday, May 25 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. weekly with the grandstand opening at 5 p.m. Qualifying begins at 5:45 p.m. with the first green flag flying at 7 p.m.
Norway Speedway Stateline Challenge Winners…..
2017-Dalton Zehr, Menominee, Mi ($1,000)
2016- Kris Kelly, Norway, Mi ($1,000)
2015- Dalton Zehr, Menominee, Mi ($1,000)
2014- (Tundra Race)
2013- Dillon Kralovetz, Bonduel, WI ($1,000)
2012- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI ($1,000)
2011- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI ($1,000)
2010- No Race
2009- No Race
2008- No Race
2007- Mike Reichenberger, Appleton, WI ($2,000)
2006- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI ($1,000)
2005- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI (Twin 50’s)
2004- Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI ($1,000)
2003- Terry Baldry, Omro, WI ($1,000 BUCO #00 car)
2002- Dale Peterson, Escanaba, MI ($1,000)
2001- Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, WI
2000- Wayne Breitenfeldt Wausau, WI
1999- Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, WI
1998- Dale Peterson, Escanaba, MI
1997- Terry Baldry, Omro, WI (Butz #8 car)
1996- Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, WI
1995- Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, WI
1994- Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, WI
1993- Matt Kenseth, Cambridge, WI (ARTGO/State Line Combo)
1992- Bob Menor, Wausaukee, WI
1991- Bob Menor, Wausaukee, WI ($1,000)
1990- Terry Baldry, Omro, WI (#74 Baldry Car)
1989- Allen Check, Stevens Point, WI
1988- Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, WI (Silver Bullet Car)
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 (The Inaugural Race)
ALL TIME NORWAY SPEEDWAY STATELINE CHALLENGE WINS
Jamie Iverson, Escanaba 5
Terry Baldry, Omro, WI 3
Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, WI 3
Scott Hansen, Green Bay, WI 2
Bob Menor, Wausaukee, WI 2
Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 2
Kent Pearson, Aurora, WI 2
Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, WI 2
Dalton Zehr, Menominee 2
Mike Kelly, Vulcan 1
Kris Kelly, Vulcan 1
Mike Mattson, Marquette 1
Allen Check, Shantytown, WI 1
Matt Kenseth, Cambridge, WI 1
Dale Peterson, Escanaba 1
Wayne Breitenfeldt, Wausau, WI 1
Mike Reichenberger, Appleton, WI 1
Dillion Kralovetz, Bonduel, WI 1
Michigan victories – 11
Wisconsin victories – 21
