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Luxemburg Racing Promoter Off and Running - Green Bay Press-Gazette

Eric Mahlik has faced some pretty hefty challenges in his life.

As a former defensive tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers, the Green Bay native and Notre Dame Academy graduate was used to taking on 300 pound-plus offensive linemen while slugging it out in Big Ten football. He’s gone wheel-to-wheel as an IMCA modified driver the past several years with some of the nation’s finest dirt track hotshoes.

In 2016 Mahlik will jump on the other side of the fence in the world of short track racing. He, along with his business partner Ron Cochrane of Delafield, has taken over as promoter at Luxemburg Speedway. His own IMCA modified remains for sale and he doesn’t plan on racing it anywhere.

“Ron hired me in medical sales 14 years ago and he’s not a racing guy,” said Mahlik. “But he does have experience in the food and beverage industry, which will help out with the concession end of things.”

Mahlik will take over for promoter Gene Mathu, who ran the track the past four seasons. Mathu and Kewaunee County essentially “parted ways” during the off-season.

“When nobody was interested in taking over the track, a lot of people kind of encouraged me to go for it,” admitted Mahlik. “I got my feet wet a bit with the Chase series at 141 Speedway in 2015 so I guess people were kind of directing me in that direction.”

Some things will remain the same. The show will still begin on Friday nights at 7 p.m., as it has the past three decades. Most of your same divisions will be on hand, including the headlining IMCA modifieds.

So what will be different in 2016 from past seasons on Friday nights at Luxemburg? For starters, more cars.

“I’d like to think I’ve got the respect of most of the drivers and I think that goes a long ways,” said Mahlik, who said he has commitments from several drivers in four different divisions who plan to return to race at Luxemburg this year after leaving to go race elsewhere on Friday nights the past couple of seasons.

“We’re working hard to build relationships with the local businesses. We want to use both social media and traditional media outlets effectively. Local blood is what makes this sport tick. Local drivers and fans. We’ve got to keep them happy. I was a football player in college but now it’s like I’m the head coach of a really big team.”

Mahlik’s family has roots that run deep in racing at Luxemburg. His father Arnie raced there in the 1960s, as did his brothers Doug and Nick from the 1990s on.

“When I first told Dad what my plans were it took a little while to get his blessing, but now he supports it 100 percent,” Mahlik said. “We also have some things in the works to get the younger generation involved in this sport. That’s critical, it really is. Our base of drivers and fans has shrunk over the years and we want to work harder to build that back up.”
enmark’s Rick Goral promoted Luxemburg Speedway for 10 years prior to Mathu’s tenure. Goral has plenty of advice for Mahlik.

“Don’t let social media comments get you down – take it for what it’s worth,” said Goral. “Keep the show moving. Good food, quick service, clean facilities and reasonable ticket prices will draw the fans and keep them. Hire good people and treat them like family. I think Eric is on the right track.”

As far as what he’d consider a successful first year? “I really haven’t set any benchmarks with regards to attendance figures or car counts,” explained Mahlik. “I know I’ll never please everyone, and there will be some bumps in the road, no doubt. But we want to give the drivers the exposure they deserve and give the fans a fast paced show.”

Mahlik has tentative plans to open up at 7 p.m. May 6. An open practice session is tentatively slated for April 29.

MANITOWOC/EWSC UPDATE – With the recent announcement over the winter that 2016 will be the final season of racing at Manitowoc County Expo, Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car, the club that promotes the weekly Friday night races at the third-mile, clay oval, has announced it is in discussions with Calumet County officials to attempt to bring their racing program back to Chilton Speedway in 2017. Michigan-based Meijer food stores has agreed to purchase a portion of the Expo grounds which contains the race track, which will be demolished following this racing season.

MOVIN ON UP – After taking a few seasons off, Embarrass’ Jeremie Hedrick will return to piloting an IMCA modified in 2016 at Shawano Speedway. Oostburg’s Joel Seegert will run an IMCA modified while Shawano’s Carl King is moving from the Mighty 4 class to the IMCA stock cars.

WIR UPDATE – Green Bay’s Brett Piontek, a front-running super late model driver for several seasons, has retired and sold his race cars to Reedsville’s Maxwell Schultz. Former super late model champion Jeff Van Oudenhoven, sidelined for much of 2015 with a foot injury suffered in a crash, is expected to return for a title run this year. Among the super late model rookies for 2016 are Trevor Vandermolen of Oshkosh, Jake Carpenter of Ashwaubenon, Mickey Schallie of Darboy, Brandon Reichenberger of Appleton and Taylor Vandermoss of Appleton. Oconto’s Scott Stewart, a former IMCA stock car driver on the dirt, has purchased a car from the Anthony Brothers out of Appleton and will be a rookie in the late model class.

FLAGMAN SHUFFLE – Veteran flagman Dave Deprey of Green Bay will serve as starter on Friday nights at Luxemburg Speedway while Luxemburg’s Jason Ledvina will throw the silks at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek this year.

NEW MOTORAMA – Defending T.U.N.D.R.A. super late model champion Dalton Zehr of Menominee, Michigan will have his 2016 ride on display at Shopko Hall April 1 thru 3 at the NEW MOTORAMA show. Other local racers who’ll have their racers on display include defending WIR super late model champion Lowell Bennett of Neenah, late model driver Corey “Rainman” Manders of Hilbert, super model driver Reagan May of De Pere, and De Pere native and off road champion Johnny Greaves.

Joe Verdegan is a freelance writer who covers area racing for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Email him at jverdegan2@gmail.com.

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