WEST ALLIS, Wis. — The triumphant return of NASCAR to the oldest operating motor speedway in the world will run this summer under the banner of a long-time race partner and worldwide sustainability leader – Clean Harbors.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 175-lap race at the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 27 will be named the Clean Harbors 175.
“The competitive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ return to the historic Milwaukee Mile is one of the most anticipated races on the series’ schedule this season,” said Chip Wile, SVP & Chief Track Properties Officer, NASCAR. “We are proud to welcome our long-time partners Clean Harbors and Safety-Kleen as part of the series’ return to the Milwaukee market for the Clean Harbors 175.”
Wisconsin State Fair Park, home of the Milwaukee Mile, has hosted at least one auto race every year since 1903 (except during U.S. involvement in World War II). The Clean Harbors 175 marks the return of the Truck Series to the famed course following a 13-year absence. The Truck Series raced 15 times at the Milwaukee Mile from 1995-2009, producing 11 different winners.
“We’re proud to have played a part in bringing this race back after so long – especially for the playoffs,” said Clean Harbors co-CEO Eric Gerstenberg. “We have a large footprint in Wisconsin and the Chicagoland area, so we’ll be packing the stands in Milwaukee with hundreds of our employees and customers. We’re also hiring for a wide range of jobs at our field services, technical services and industrial services branches in the Midwest along with all kinds of drivers.
“It’ll be great to network with race fans and attendees of the event. We’re thrilled to have our name associated with this race and its celebrated return to the Cream City.”
Through its subsidiary Safety-Kleen, Clean Harbors has been a decades-long partner of NASCAR as the worldwide leader in used oil recycling.
“This is a historic race for both NASCAR and the Milwaukee area,” said Clean Harbors co-CEO Mike Battles. “Safety-Kleen has a lot of history in the region and we’re certainly a company that strives to make history with the work we do for the environment. This will be a celebration for us and we hope it’s celebration for the community that we’ve been part of for so long, too.”
The list of former winners at the Milwaukee Mile is a historic register of some of the most revered names in automobile racing. William Jones of Chicago won a five-lap speed contest, setting the first track record with a 72 second, 50 mph lap, when auto racing debuted at “America’s Legendary Oval” in 1903.
“Ron Hornaday, who was sponsored by Safety-Kleen, was the last NASCAR driver to win at the Milwaukee Mile, so that adds even more intrigue for us in coming back,” said Buddy Judy, Safety-Kleen’s director of motorsports.
In addition to the Clean Harbors 175, fans will be treated to a double-dose of side-by-side racing action when the ARCA Menards Series opens the day’s racing card with the Sprecher 150.
“This race was always a battle and this year, in its return, won’t be any different,” said Milwaukee Mile promoter and Track Enterprises president Bob Sargent. “The relatively flat mile means lots of gear shifting, lots of lead changes and, most importantly, lots of action. The whole Track Enterprises team looks forward to NASCAR’s return to the historic Milwaukee Mile. We’re excited to see some great CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series Racing.
“A lot of people missed this race. There’s nostalgia and there’s excitement – the best of both worlds. We think this is a win-win for everyone and anticipate the teams, fans, sponsors and local community to enjoy a fantastic weekend of action at this incredible race track.”