Dells Raceway Park facts for kids
 Panorama from turn 1 in 2015
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| Location | N1070 Smith Rd., Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965 |
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| Owner | Jerry Auby |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Former names | Dells Motor Speedway |
| Major events | Lyle Nabbefeldt Memorial, ARCA Midwest Tour Jim Sauter Classic 200, Icebreaker 100, Falloween 150, Dairyland 150, Badger State 125, Dick Trickle 99, National Short Track Championship |
| oval | |
| Surface | asphalt |
| Length | 0.333 mi (0.536 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | 9 degrees (corners), 6 degrees (straights) |
| Race lap record | 13.068 seconds (Michael Bilderback, Michael Bilderback Motorsports, 2025, Super Late Model) |
Dells Raceway Park (DRP) is a cool place for car racing in Wisconsin. It used to be called the Dells Motor Speedway. You can find it north of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, near U.S. Route 12/Wisconsin Highway 16.
This track is a 1/3-mile asphalt oval, perfect for stock car racing. It has hosted many exciting races over the years. Some famous racing series that have competed here include the ARCA Midwest Tour and the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series. The track first opened way back in 1958.
The track faced some tough times and closed in 2006 due to financial problems. But don't worry, it reopened in 2007! A group of investors bought it, including former NASCAR driver Frank Kreyer. Later, Wayne Lensing owned it and even added a campground. Today, Jerry Auby owns the track, having bought it in March 2021.
Howard Johnson, one of the first owners, liked to call it "Home of the Biggies." Many racers say it's a perfect short track. Legendary driver Dick Trickle once said you drive low in the corners and drift high on the straights to make it the "roundest oval possible."
In 2025, Dells Raceway Park became part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. This means drivers competing here can earn points towards NASCAR's national championship!
Contents
A Brief Closure and Reopening
Dells Raceway Park had to close for a short time in 2006. The owner at the time, Bryan Severson, faced legal issues related to the track's finances. This caused the track to shut down in the middle of the racing season.
Luckily, the track didn't stay closed for long. A group of three investors bought it during the off-season. They worked hard to get it ready, and Dells Raceway Park proudly reopened its gates for racing in 2007.
Special Races and Memorial Events
Dells Raceway Park is known for its special races, especially the Lyle Nabbefeldt Memorial. This race honors Lyle Nabbefeldt, a Wisconsin Rapids driver who sadly passed away in a crash at the track in 1973.
The memorial race started in 1974. It became one of the biggest events at the Dells. The race format was unique: two 55-lap features, honoring Nabbefeldt's car number, 55. Winners also received a special "Traveling Trophy" they could keep until the next year's race. If a driver won three years in a row, they got to keep the trophy forever! Rick Wateski is the only driver to achieve this, winning from 1991 to 1993. The Nabbefeldt Memorial was brought back in 2015, much to the delight of fans.
The track also added other exciting events. The Icebreaker 100 happens in April, kicking off the racing season early. The Falloween 150 takes place in late October, closing out the late model racing year in Wisconsin.
In 2020, the famous Joe Shear Classic race moved to Dells Raceway Park for one year. This happened because of special rules in another county. In 2021, the ARCA Midwest Tour race at Dells became the Jim Sauter Classic. This 200-lap race honors Jim Sauter, a respected racer from Necedah, Wisconsin.
A very important event, the National Short Track Championship, moved to Dells Raceway Park in 2024. This championship race had been held at Rockford Speedway since 1966.
Fastest Laps at Dells Raceway Park
Drivers at Dells Raceway Park are always trying to set new speed records. Here are some of the fastest lap times for different types of race cars:
- Super Late Model: Michael Bilderback—13.068 seconds (April 12, 2025)
- TUNDRA Super Late Model Series: Mike Litchfeld—13.191 seconds (September 25, 2022)
- Late Model: Rich Schumann, Jr.—13.925 seconds (May 7, 2016)
- Modifieds: Weston Marthaler—14.168 seconds (June 3, 2023)
- Sportsman: Dave Trute—14.475 seconds (May 6, 2017)
- UMA 602 Late Models: Dennis Prunty—13.883 seconds (April 12, 2025)
- Mid-American Stock Car Series: Brian Back—14.361 seconds (July 24, 2010)
- Great Northern Sportsmen Series: Dave Trute—14.475 seconds (May 6, 2017)
- Midwest Dash Series: Kyle Stark—15.437 seconds (August 10, 2024)
- Pure Stock: Mark Hohl—15.444 seconds (September 22, 2012)
- Super Stock: Mike Lichtfeld—14.695 seconds (August 9, 2008)
- Bandit: Abe Bires—16.215 seconds (August 26, 2017)
- Midwest Trucks: Jason Stark—13.904 seconds (October 23, 2021)
- Outlaw Bandits: Brandon DeLacy—15.561 seconds (August 18, 2018)
- Hobby Stocks: Dave Trute—15.441 seconds (August 1, 2020)
- Big 8 Late Model Series: Tim Sargent—14.362 seconds (July 4, 2014)
- INEX Legend Cars: Brady Fox-Rohde—15.362 seconds (May 13, 2017)
- Super Trucks: Camden Murphy—13.787 seconds (May 16, 2015)
- Vores Compact Touring Series: Adam Kryzkowski—15.825 seconds (June 6, 2015)
- Midwest Bandoleros: Alex Hartwig—16.536 seconds (August 6, 2022)
- 600 Mod Lites: John Griffin—14.998 seconds (July 11, 2015)
- Illini Racing Series Midgets: Ryan Probst—13.723 seconds (June 17, 2017)
Champions and Famous Drivers
Many talented drivers have raced and won at Dells Raceway Park. One notable driver is Tim Schendel, who was the Super Late Model champion in both 2015 and 2016.
Images for kids
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The main straight part of the track.
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Where you buy tickets to watch the races.
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The main building at the raceway.
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Where winners celebrate after a race.
