Auto Racing: Revved up and ready to race at KRA

Oval racing in the area opens May 1 at the track in Willmar at the fairgrounds.
Top-notch drivers punch the throttle at stock car tracks on Thursdays in Willmar, Friday at Montevideo (May 9 start) and Saturday at Madison (May 26, Memorial Day) special). The racing is bumper-to-bumper, wheel-to-wheel with just seconds between turns.
The Grove Creek Raceway along U.S. 12, between Grove City and Litchfield, offers drag racing every other weekend starting in April. The high-tech strip pulls street legal hot rods, roadsters, Funny Cars, classic muscle cars, alcohol dragsters, motorcycles and sleds from Minnesota and surrounding states.
On Friday evenings just outside Atwater, the junior set gets a taste of oval kart racing in a supervised setting with ample free spectator viewing from their vehicle or grandstand.
Atwater Karting Speedway
One mile east, half-mile south of Atwater
Season: May 17 to Sept. 6 (championship) ... Racing: Friday, 7 p.m. Free spectator admission. Concessions on grounds … Lineup: up to 19 classes from rookie to masters. Caged and non-caged divisions. Ages 8-15 have most entries. … Track info line: 320-222-4009; Tamra Reimer, VP/Secretary/treasuer 763-314-0450… Of note: 12th year. Averaging 50-70 karts … Web site: www.Atwaterkarting.com .
Grove Creek Raceway
Dragstrip racing, 2 miles east of Grove City
Season: April 12 to Oct. 5 …. The Scoop: NHRA, Z\, mile NHRA Championship Drag Racing with Money & Trophy Eliminator, Jr. Dragster Series plus All-Street Nite (NHRA Street Legal Drags) …. Owner/promoter Rick Austin re-built 25-year-old track in 2008 extending concrete burnout plus new lanes of asphalt and expanded pit area …. Classes: Sportsmen, Super Pro, Pro Street, Street Eliminator, Junior Dragsters, Superbikes and Sleds …Grandstand/pit admission: adults $10, students (ages 7 to 12) $5, 6-and-under free; Camping $10 … Promoter: Rick Austin, Dayton, (612) 280-7301 …Track phone (320) 857-2152 … Web: www.grovecreek.com .
Fiesta City
Montevideo at Chippewa County Fairgrounds
Season opener: May 9 (Modified Special) … Race nights: Friday, 7:00 p.m. on 4/10th-mile oval … Sanctioning: Wissota … Lineup: Wissota Late Models, Modifieds, Midwest Modifieds, Mod-4, Street Stocks, plus Fiesta City Pure Stock …. Grandstand Admission: Adults $10, seniors $9, youth 6-12 $5 …. Track information: 320-269-7755 (business phone) or 320-226-8131 (promoter Dale Mooney) … Promoter: Fiesta City Racing Association at mooneyhouse@msn.com …Web site: www.fiestacityspeedway.com …. 2013 Track Champions: Nick Beyenhof, late model; Jason Vejtruba, midwest mod; Dustin Zieska, mod-4; Jon Tollakson, pure stock; Matt Gibertson, modified; Mike Jans, street stock
KRA Speedway
Willmar at fairgrounds
Season opener: May 1… Race nights: Thursday 6:30 p.m. …Sanctioning: Wissota … Track: 3/8-mile semi-bank … Lineup: Wissota Modifieds, Super Stock, Street Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Mod-4 … Also running: 4-cyl. KRA Hobby Stock, KRA Hornets … Grandstand Admission: Adults (13 and over) $10 (Specials $15), child 12-and-under free with paid adult; season pass $140 (18 year olds and younger free in May) … Promoter: Kandi Racing Association (KRA) … Track phone: 320-212-8503 …. Web site: www.kraspeedway.com … Email: kraspeedway@yahoo.com …. 2013 Track Champions: Taylor Willms, hobby; Ashley Bell, hornets; Jason Vejtruba, midwest mod; Dustin Zieske, mod 4; Jordan Tollakson, street stock; Gary Husmann, super stock; Zach Schultz, modified.
Madison Speedway
Madison at LQPV fairgrounds
Season Opener: Monday, May 26, Memorial Day Opener … Race nights: 6:00 pm, Saturday … Sanctioning: Wissota …Track: 3/8-mile high-bank dirt … Lineup: Late Model, Modified, Super Stock, Midwest Mods, Street Stocks, Madison Pure Stock … Admission: $10 adults (Specials $15), 12 and under free with adult …. Track Phone: 320-444-6407 … Web: www.madisonmnspeedway.com …. 2013 Track Champions: Ryan Nelson, Canby; Mike Jans, street stock; Jason Vejtruba, midwest mod; Gary Husmann, super stock; Andrew Gordon, modified; Marshall Fegers, late model.,