1994 I-94 Speedway Press Conference

By Jason D Searcy

In the Spring of 1994 I-94 Speedway owner Dick Johanneck held a press conference for a small group of media to announce that he will begin a $100,000 project to change the dirt surface of the Sauk Centre (MN) track to Tar.    

Dick Johanneck was a great salesman and successful businessman (PolyDome), he was at his best this day selling his new idea to the assembled media.  He was passionate about the direction of the 3 yr old racetrack and was extremely optimistic about the future of Asphalt racing, "I believe tar is the future of racing" said Johanneck "in the next five years i believe we will see 4-5 other track switch to tar."  

As it turned out, the only other MN track that changed to asphalt was I-94 International Speedway in Fergus Falls (MN), the other track owned by Johanneck.  Officials from the Marshfield (WI) track visited I-94 and then switched their track to tar in for the 1996 season.  

His plan was to race dirt cars on the asphalt surface which he said would take crews about 1 hour to switch their setups from dirt to asphalt with no changes to their shocks and springs.  

A few drivers raced both dirt and asphalt the first couple years, and numerous big dirt track stars raced at I-94 including (Ryan Muzik, Jeff Hinkemeyer, Steve Fegers, Dave Stork, Greg Meyer, Dave Cain etc) but as the years progressed the race cars became asphalt exclusive and the rules eventually reflected that.  In the early asphalt years the Mod 4 division (below) thrived and sported the largest car counts, after a few years the INEX sanctioned Legends cars thrived.

  

Johanneck lauded the benefits an asphalt track would bring to both the racers and the fans, "it's time to progress to better racing" he said.  Fans would benefit from the cleanliness and faster moving program by not having to watch cars packing the track.  In 1993 the track saw numerous rain delays and race programs that lasted late into the night.

Rocks were also a big problem the final year of dirt racing in 1993 with numerous fans getting hit by rocks flying into the stands and even breaking windshields of their cars in the tailgate section.  "I tried my darndest to get those rock out of the track and every week we got new ones," said Johanneck.  He also believed young drivers would benefit from having great opportunities to move up to the popular ASA and ARCA racing series.  

I-94 never did host an ARCA or ASA race but they did host an ARTGO race (below) in 1994, numerous NASCAR Midwest series races, ASA Midwest tour and an ASL race.  

*Scott Searcy - Cricket Prints photo

Dick Johanneck also mentioned that he was only 61 yrs old and was planning on continuing racing.  (Which he did for several more years)  Johanneck was quoted as saying "getting old is mandatory, growing up is optional."   The future of I-94 Speedway was changed in a dramatic way after that press conference in 1994.  Much of what the owner said would happen did not happen the way he thought it would, but he did change the landscape of racing in Minnesota and I-94 did spark the racing career of numerous drivers who went on to have success including; Jesse Klug, Trent Snyder, Blake Bjorklund, Bryan Roach, Rich Snyder, Andy Hanson, Nick Panitzke, Tim Olson, Nate Thiesse and others.

Here is the full audio of the 1994 Press Conference in which Dick Johanneck spoke with new promoter Mary Beth Cripe also talking near the end.  

You will also hear Dean Reller get introduced as the new Media Specialist and future announcer "Jason Dale" Searcy asked numerous questions during the event.

I-94 Switching to Tar Press Conference

*Special thanks to Matt Todd, Dan Plan, Scott Searcy, Doug Jenkins and Madd Artist Photo for photo credits.

Here is an article on the crazy 1994 year at I-94 Speedway, the year it switched to tar.  1994 Year

Here is a link to the 1994 Point standings where you can see numerous big Dirt Track stars who raced at I-94 Speedway including Jeff Hinkemeyer, Steve Fegers, Ryan Muzik, Dave Cain, Dave Stork, Shawn Kirwin, Kenny Bullick, Al Stewart etc.
1994 I-94 Points

Here is a link to the ASL race in 2005 2005 ASL Race

Here is a link to the I-94 OBIT which was written in 2010 I-94 OBIT

Here are some photos of what the track looked like in 2015 2015 Photos

1994 a year of change for I-94 Speedway

There has been much discussion over the years about why did track owner Dick Johanneck change the surface at I-94 Speedway in Sauk Centre (MN) from Dirt to Asphalt in 1994.

It is a fact that many fans were pelted with rocks and numerous windshields were broken up in the tailgate section in turns 3 and 4 at I-94 Speedway in 1993.  I think the negativity surrounding the track surface contributed to the decision to do the reported $120,000 project of paving the 3/8th mile oval in Sauk Centre MN.

Here is recap of the 1994 season which includes a recording of the press conference where Dick Johanneck explains his reasons for the switch.  Some of you might be surprised by his perspective at the time.

 https://soundcloud.com/speedtalkon1360/1994-season-review-i-94

Also included in this audio recap are soundbites from drivers: Steve Johanneck, Pat Henry, John Leraas, Jeff Hinkemeyer, Eugene Dick, Bryan Roach.

Dean Reller (media) and Jason Searcy (announcer) from Speed Talk on 1360 worked at I-94 from 1991-2008.  Here is an audio recap of the new asphalt years at I-94 on their podcast https://soundcloud.com/speedtalkon1360/i-94-speedway-asphalt

Here were the Champions in 1994, the first year of asphalt.
Late Models- Eugene Dick
Modifieds- Dave Stork
Street Stocks- Pat Henry
Super Stocks- Rocky Thompson
4 cyl - John Notch

Here is a link to the final "Top 10" point standings in 1994.. some really big names in dirt track racing made the move to racing at I-94 Speedway, many of them only for a short time including: Shawn Kirwin, Dave Cain, Ryan Muzik, Gary Reents, Al Stewart, Ken Bullick, Chris Groth, Greg Meyer, Jon Hinkemeyer, Dave Stork and others.
http://smokejackson.blogspot.com/2010/11/1994-point-standings.html

Here is another opinion column that focused on the first few years of racing on the asphalt by track announcer 2000-2008 Jason Dale Searcy
 http://smokejackson.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-94-history-part-2-of-4.html

The biggest event of the year was the inaugural Governors Cup ARTGO race on September 11th 1994.  It was a 100 lap race that paid $2500 to the winner.  Steve Carlson won that race, also competing included future NASCAR stars Matt Kenseth and Michael Waltrip also ASA Champion Kevin Cywinski, future owner of I-94 Raceway Tim Olson and many other big names in Late Model racing including Jon Lemke, Jason Schneider, Tim Sauter, Johnny Spaw, Jim Weber, Mark Noble, Larry Schuler, Brad Miller and others.

 Here are the official results from that race  http://www.artgoracinghistory.com/1994_Race_14.html

*Photos courtesy of Scott Searcy-Cricket Prints

Note-  I-94 Speedway was built as a dirt track in 1991, changed to asphalt in 1994, changed back to dirt in 2009 and then was closed.  The track remained standing until 2016 when it was demolished.

Note- Dick Johanneck still owns the I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls MN where they hold an annual race called the KING OF THE DIRT.

Get more history of I-94 Speedway I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre at www.smokejackson.blogspot.com

I-94 Raceway Photos 2015

I-94 Speedway in Sauk Centre opened in 1991, the name was changed to I-94 Raceway in 2001 and then closed in 2009.  Here are some photos of how the track looks on Easter of 2015.  Do not let this happen to your local race track, please support motorsports in your area.

In my opinion, the track will never again open so, we should celebrate the history of this great racing facility.  Please click around this web-site www.smokejackson.blogspot.com and remember the good times had at I-94 Raceway. 

Photos by Jason D Searcy (I-94 announcer 2001-2008)

If you have any photos or memories of this track and would like to contribute them to this web-site just email them to i94raceway@gmail.com

ASL at I-94 Raceway 2005

July 3 2005

By Jason D Searcy

In an early race move, Ryan Mathews rocketed to the front over the independence holiday weekend to win the ASL 150 at I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre MN.

Mathews passed Nate Thiesse on lap four and never looked back.  "I was just trying to drive easy and it seemed like nobody could catch me, the car didn't wiggle the entire race" said Mathews.

After a recent string of good runs Mathews was hungry to score his first win of 2005.  "It's been frustrating this year because we have had so many dominant cars and for whatever reason we've had something go wrong and lost the race.  We finally got one!"

Mathews bested a strong field of drivers that included two former ASA Champions, Kevin Cywinski and Bryan Reffner to win his first career ASL race.  "It's kind of neat to win in an ASL car becuase they are so different, every time we race we seem to learn a little more" said Mathews.

Trevor Stewart delighted his home state fans with an impressive late race charge through the pack to finish as the runner up.  "We needed a caution, we wanted the fans to throw something on the track like they do at Indy" joked Stewart.

Fast timer in practice and time trials Paul Paine stayed near the front the entire race and finished third but was not able to challenge for the win.  "I wore out my stuff racing with Cywinski" said Paine.  "He passed me when I was trying to keep the tires under my car.  Then I passed him and he passed me back again, then I got by him twords the end of the race.  By that time my stuff was all used up."

Also finishing on the lead lap was Kevin Cywinski in fourth then Jonathan Davenport and Nate Thiesse in his ASL debut.

The next race will be Tuesday August 2nd at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna WI.

ASL 150 Results from I-94 Raceway, Sauk Centre MN
July 3 2005

1-Ryan Mathews
2-Trevor Stewart
3-Paul Paine
4-Kevin Cywinski
5-Jonathan Davenport
6-Nate Thiesse
7-Bryan Reffner
8-Landon Cassill
9-Andrew Morrissey
10-Jarit Johnson
11-Ronnie Hawley
12-Hal Collins
13-Trey Allen
14-Jacob Dohlun
15-John Vig Jr.

*reprinted from autoracingtracks.com

** The ASL only raced one year, when the ASA National tour folded and before the ASA Midwest tour began.  ASL founder Gary Vercauteran suddenly died in October of 2005.

*** If you notice.. future NASCAR Cup series driver Landon Cassill finished 8th, he was only 16 yrs old.  Future ASA Midwest tour champion Andrew Morrissey was 9th and Jarit Johnson (older brother of NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson) in a car prepared by Butch Miller finished 10th.  Hal Collins came all the way from Fort Worth Texas to race in this event, driving an open trailer to haul his car, he finished 12th.

Here is a youtube video of the entire event courtesy of Wogggieee

If anyone has photo's of this event we could include with the article please send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

I-94 kids "boxcar" races

I believe promoter Mary Beth Cripe started the "box car races" at I-94 Speedway about 1996 or so.  Once per year, kids ran around during intermission with a box over their body cut-out to look like a race car.  It was really fun and popular enough to continue as an annual tridition until 2008.


One of the early winners was Jason Lofquist the son of driver Jeff and promoter Chanda.  Years later Jason drove a UCAR at I-94 Raceway.

Here is a photo of track announcer Jason Dale Searcy "interviewing" a young racer (in a spongebob car) after an event.

Another crowd favorite was Jonathan and Doug Olmsheid's neice Francis.  She sang the national anthem many times at the track, but was never happier than when she won a boxcar race in 2007.

If you have a photo of a "boxcar" racing event at I-94 Raceway you want to share email i94raceway@gmail.com

2008 Point Standings

2008 point standings at I-94 Raceway Sauk Centre (MN)

ASA Super Late Models:

1-Jon Olson (photo above)
2-Joey Johnson
3-Nick Panitzke "picker" (#22 photo below)
4-Tim Olson
5-Tyler "showtime" Sjoman
6-John Gottwald
7-Jim Larkin
8-Rich Snyder
9-Jeff Lofquist
10-Randy Baker

Modifieds:

1-Joey Johnson (in photo)

2-Tony "gas man" Robertson
3-Shawn Koranda
4-Cody "the cobra" Lee
5-Jonathan Olmsheid
6-Joe Karl
7-Kevin Woeste
8-Steve Maloney
9-Jerry "putt putt" Voight
10-Duane Anderson

Thunder Cars:

1-Dustin Karl
2-Kyle Kirberger (#23 in photos)
3-Doug Olmsheid
4-Adam Fuchs
5-Patrick Amelung
6-Jason Schroepfer
7-Todd Maciey
8-Brandon Hurley
9-Jeremy Wolff
10-Jim Koranda

Great North Legends:

1-Matt "the hammer" Hendrickson
2-Jake "the snake" Varnum (#35 photo above)
3-Joe Kostreba
4-Tony Brockhouse
5-Beau Barry
6-Casey Traxler
7-Kasey Kurtz
8-Dirk Henry
9-Rob Thurston
10-Gene Traxler

PRO 4 TRUCKS:

1-Anneka Jenkins (#14 photo above)
2-Mike Schwardt
3-Matt Peterson
4-Dean Peterson
5-Brandon Hartung
6-Marc Rosenow
7-Kurt peterson
8-Jim Eblin
9-Dustin Karl
10-Dave Auringer

4 Trackers:
1-CJ Karl

2-Josh Christy (#27 in photo)

3-Andy "hotrod" Heying

4-Joe Albritton

5-Caleb "the comet" Pratt
6-Barrett Woida
7-Damien Hansmann
8-John "hondo" Hendrickson
9-Jeff Pratt
10-Dave Deters

Just 4 Fun UCARS:
1-Michael Lofquist
2-Travis Kunz
3-Dan Krousey
4-Tom Gjerstad
5-Aaron Mills
6-Dan Fitzpatrick
7-Joey Robertson
8-Joe Karl
9-Steph Eisel
10-Jason Koshiol

Rookie of the year:
Thunder Cars-------Kyle Kirberger
Pro 4 Trucks-------Anneke Jenkins
Just 4 fun UCARS-- Travis Kunz

ASA Minnesota Late Model Challenge series champ:
Steve Anderson (#50 photo below)

If you have any photos from the 2008 season to share, send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

* photos courtesy of http://www.theracingconnection.com/ , Dean Reller, Jason Searcy & Doug Jenkins photo

2007 point standings

2007 Point Standings I-94 Raceway Sauk Centre (MN)

ASA Super Late Models:

1-Zac Davids (#24 above)
2-Nick Panitzke "picker" (#22 above)
3-Tim Olson
4-Joey Johnson
5-Corey Flynn (#84 & in photo with Jason below)
6-Tyler "showtime" Sjoman
7-Jon Olson
8-"wild" Bill Rhode
9-Bob White
10-Eugene Dick (#5 above)

Modifieds:

1-Kevin Woeste
2-Joey Johnson
3-Shawn Koranda
4-Jeff Rohner (photo above)
5-Jonathan Olmsheid
6-Cody "the cobra" Lee
7-Danny Edenloff
8-Tony Grams
9-Tony "gas man" Robertson
10-Joe Karl

Thunder Cars:

1-Jerry Messer
2-Lance Stueve (#5 above)
3-Jason Schroepfer
4-Joe Karl
5-Andrew Henry
6-Dustin Karl
7-Justin Henry
8-Adam Fuchs
9-Patrick Amelung
10-David Bolstad

Great North Legends:
1-Matt "the hammer" Hendrickson
2-Jake "the snake" Varnum
3-Patrick Brejcha
4-Jeff Ryan
5-Beau Barry
6-Al Jacobson
7-Joe Kostreba
8-Justin Kort
9-Scott Petty
10-Chris Henry

Pro 4 Trucks:
1-Dean Peterson
2-Matt Peterson
3-Dustin Karl
4-Tim Proell
5-Alex Reineke
6-Jim Eblin
7-Kurt Peterson
8-Ryan Kamish
9-Jeff McDonald
10-Marc Rosenow (#28 photo below)



4 Trackers:
1-Dan Bolstad
2-Joe Albritton
3-John "hondo" Hendrickson
4-CJ Karl
5-Josh Christy
6-Greg Umlauf
7-Jason Lofquist
8-Andy "hotrod" Heying
9-Caleb "the comet" Pratt
10-Andy Mayavski

Just 4 fun UCARS:

1-Michael Lofquist (#4 above)
2-Travis Vanderby
3-Dan Fitzpatrick
4-Mike Post
5-Adam Post
6-Pat Lenarz
7-Anneka Jenkins
8-Andre Yuri
9-Randy Johnson
10-Mary Lofquist

If you have any photos from the 2007 season to share, send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

*photos courtesy of http://www.theracingconnection.com/ Matt Todd & Doug Jenkins

2006 Point Standings

2006 Point standings at I-94 Raceway Sauk Centre (MN)

ASA Super Late Models:

1-Andy Hanson  (2 wins)  (#42 photo above)
2-Jake Jay  (1 win)
3-Tim Olson (1 win)
4-Rob Dubnecay (2 wins)
5-Zac Davids
6-Bob White
7-Jon Olson
8-Joey Johnson
9-John Gottwald
10-"crazy" Larry Fitzsimmons (#73 photo below)

Modifieds:

1-Rich Snyder   (6 wins)  (#1 photo above)
2-Joey Johnson (3 wins)
3-Tony "gas man" Robertson
4-Jeff Rohner
5-Corey Flynn
6-Jonathan Olmsheid
7-Shawn Koranda
8-Danny Edenloff
9-Kevin Woeste
10-Stephen Maloney

Thunder Cars:

1-Jerry Messer   (8 wins) (#38 photo above)
2-Jason Schroepher (2 wins)  (#58 photo above)
3-Lance Steuve
4-Patrick Amelung (2 wins)
5-Joe Karl
6-Matt Hoeschen
7-Chris Henry
8-Dustin Karl
9-Andrew Henry
10-Adam Fuchs

Great North Legends:

1-Rob Thurston  (3 wins) (#2 photo above)
2-Dirk Henry  (1 win)
3-Tyler "showtime" Sjoman (3 wins)
4-Jake "the snake" Varnum
5-Jaycen Brockhouse
6-Scott Petty
7-Jon "lightning" Lewerer
8-Patrick Brejcha
9-Scott "iceman" Brandt
10-Paul Hartman

UCARS:
1-David Bolstad  (8 wins)
2-Dan Bolstad (3 wins)
3-Andy Mayavski
4-Char Burke
5-Joe Albritton
6-Matt Peterson
7-Dean Peterson
8-Jeff Pratt
9-John "hondo" Hendrickson
10-Marc Rosenow

If you have any photos from 2006 to share, send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

* photo courtesy of http://www.theracingconnection.com/ , Doug Jenkins photography, Matt Todd, Madd Artist Photo & Super J racing.

2005 Point Standings

2005 Unofficial Point Standings at I-94 Raceway Sauk Cente (MN)

ASA Super Late Models:

1-Tim Olson (#79 photo above)
2-Eugene Dick
3-Bob White (#9)
4-Joe Berthiaume
5-JR Studinski
6-Rob Dubnecay
7-Jeff Lofquist
8-Jon Olson
9-Blake Bjorklund
10-Ritch Johnson (#43)

Modifieds:

1-Kevin Woeste
2-Rich Snyder
3-Jeff Rohner
4-Joey Johnson
5-John "top" Notch (#76 above)
6-Jeremy "the hornet" Fleck (#17 above)
7-Tony "gas man" Robertson
8-Jonathan Olmscheid
9-Corey Flynn (#84 above)
10-John Gottwald

Thunder cars:
1-Patrick Amelung
2-Jerry Messer
3-Nick "picker" Panitzke (#22 photo below)

4-Jim Larkin
5-Lance Stueve
6-Jason Schroeder
7-Carrie McDougall
8-Matt Hoeschen
9-Joe Karl
10-Doug Olmscheid

Great North Legends:

1-Dirk Henry (#3 photo above)
2-Tim Brockhouse
3-Zac Davids
4-Jon "lightning" Lewerer
5-Jaycen Brockhouse
6-Matt "the hammer" Hendrickson
7-Tyler "showtime" Sjoman
8-Paul Hartman
9-Scott Petty
10-Jake "the snake" Varnum

UCARS:
1-David Bolstad
2-Andy Mayavski
3-Dan Bolstad
4-Josh Christy
5-Alan Thompson
6-Kurt Peterson
7-Billy Weyer
8-Corey Flynn
9-Matt Peterson
10-Craig Maack

Rookie of the year:

ASA SLM--- Rob Dubnecay (#77 photo above)
Modifieds ----  Jeremy Fleck
Legends ------ Tyler Sjoman
Thunder cars---- Nick Panitzke
UCARS -------Chad Burke

Minnesota Late Model Challenge series champ
Donny Reuvers (#41 photo below)

If you hae any photo's from 2005 to share, send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

 *photos courtesy of http://www.theracingconnection.com, Matt Todd and Panitzke Racing