The Joe Shear Classic at Madison International Speedway in Oregon, Wisconsin, honors the career of one of the best short track drivers in the country. It has also become the staple season opening event for the ARCA Midwest Tour presented by Scag Power Equipment. The seventh annual event on Sunday, May 3rd will be aired live on Speed51.com’s as one of their 51 TV pay-per-view events.
“We couldn’t think of a better event to do our first partnership with Speed51.com’s 51 TV,” said Gregg McKarns, ARCA Midwest Tour owner. “The ARCA Midwest Tour has a large fan base and we realize that many of our fans are planning to attend the event in person. Nothing can replace the feeling your five senses you get when seeing a short track race live. But, we also know that there are many fans that won’t be able to attend this event in person and this will be a great opportunity for those fans to see it live on 51 TV. They do a great job of capturing the excitement of a short track event that will showcase the best drivers from all over the Midwest.”
51 TV’s broadcast will feature a live, in-house broadcast team, multiple camera angles, a broadcast-style graphics package and more that will bring the fans unable to make it to Oregon, Wisconsin that much closer to the action.
The Joe Shear Classic has become one of the top and toughest short track races in the country. Last year, Nathan Haseleu became the first two-time winner of the event. He won the first one in 2009. Other winners include: Steve Carlson (2010), Ross Kenseth (2011), Andrew Morrissey (2012), and Travis Sauter (2013).
“The ARCA Midwest Tour quickly became one of the best asphalt short track series when it started in 2007, and we are pleased to bring one of their top events to the 51 TV audience,” said Bob Dillner, Speed51.com Founder/Owner. “Madison International Speedway has a great history itself with an incredible list of past champions that includes Matt Kenseth, Robbie Reiser, Dick Trickle, Rich Bickle, and the great Joe Shear. We could not have asked for a better race or venue to have as our first broadcast with the ARCA Midwest Tour. I personally cannot wait to get back there for the first time in about 14 years.”
Joe Shear, who passed away in March 1998 after battling cancer, was one of the best in the Midwest. His last victory came in September 1997 at Rockford Speedway’s National Short Track Championship. He is a two-time ARTGO Series Champion (1986, 89) with 58 wins.
Joe Shear is second on the all-time feature win list at Madison with 66 victories. He is also a four-time Madison track champion (1973, 74, 80 and 82). In 1982, he won seven weekly features in a row.
Watch Speed51.com for more information on when you can order the pay-per-view ticket for this event.
For ticket information to watch the event live at Madison International Speedway, please visit www.madisoninternationalspeedway.com.
The Stoughton Quality Inn is the official host hotel for Speed51.com for the Joe Shear Classic. The hotel is located just a few miles east of the track in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Call 608-877-9000 to reserve your rooms now for the Joe Shear Classic weekend.
