Ward
Now the winningest Friesen Performance IMCA Modified driver from Michigan, A.J. Ward raced to his career fifth Dirt Works Eastern Region championship in 2022. (Photo by Dave Hendrick Photography)

IMCA Modifieds To Return To Wisconsin’s Wilmot Raceway

WILMOT, Wis. — After an absence of nearly two decades, Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds are returning to Wilmot Raceway.

The IMCA class will be on Saturday programs at the three-eighths-mile clay oval — located in southeast Wisconsin, just a couple miles from the Illinois state line — from May 4 to Sept. 21.

“A lot of our modified drivers were interested in sanctioning,” explained executive promoter Chris Klemko, one of the seven members of the board that oversees racing at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds. “We like the IMCA rules and the point structure, and that we’ll be able to share drivers with other tracks. We know there are a lot of them interested in racing here.”

“I really enjoy watching a good modified race,” continued Klemko, on the board at Wilmot for six years and a sprint car driver himself. “A lot of times they go green to checkered and that’s good racing.”

IMCA Modifieds ran at the former Wilmot Speedway from 1995-2005. Points earned there beginning in 2024 will figure toward standings in IMCA’s Razor Chassis North Central Region.

Track officials are hoping to add to the divisional purse for the Aug. 14 fair race.

The Fall Classic wraps up the 73rd annual season at Wilmot, Sept. 19-21.

“For a fair board-run track, we’ve made a lot of improvements here, probably $800,000 worth in the last two years,” Klemko said. “We put up a new grandstand last year. We put up a new wall and catch fence and upgraded the lighting, too.”

Also added in 2023 was a 112-spot campground, with electrical, behind the grandstand, putting fans within easy walking distance of their race night seats.

“Wilmot is a great facility and we’re excited to have them back as part of our North Central Region,” said IMCA Vice President of Operations Jim Stannard. “They’ve invested well in track improvements and drivers and fans are the big winners.”