by Kari Shear-Carlson / April 26, 2016 – Wehrs Machine and Racing Products returns to the ARCA Midwest Tour presented by Scag Power Equipment as a 2016 contingency sponsor, and with that they will once again be the innovative designer behind the 2016 Joe Shear Classic winners trophy.
In 2015, Chad Wehrs, founder of Wehrs Machine and Racing Products was asked if he’d be interested in designing the trophy for the annual event. Growing up watching Joe Shear race as one of his childhood heroes, Chad didn’t hesitate to take up the offer.
“It is truly an honor to get to design and build the trophy for the JSC. Duane Baldwin is our CNC Milling Foreman and he has a ton of pride in what he builds. He has outdone himself with this year’s trophy! It is a work of art and I can’t wait to give it to this year’s winner,” said Chad Wehrs, founder of Wehrs Machine.
When you hear the word innovation in racing, one of the first things that comes to mind is Wehrs Machine and Racing Products. Wehrs is known for their innovative design of some of the best race car parts in both the asphalt and dirt racing industries. Chad carried this innovation over into his design of the Joe Shear Classic trophy. In 2015, using billet aluminum, Wehrs created a custom-designed clock with Shear’s 1981 car machined at the base.
Last year’s winner of the event and the custom-designed trophy couldn’t have been more fitting. Wisconsin native and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Johnny Sauter, finally clinched the victory after coming close for several years. It was a very special win for Johnny because of his close ties to the Shear family, and he had recently lost his father, Jim, who was also a long-time competitor of Joe Shear.
“It was cool to see Johnny get the first Billet Clock last year. Our families have a long history together, so it was neat for him to win the first one,” added Chad.
Each and every trophy a driver wins always carries with it the memories of that event. To know Wehrs Machine is a part of the memory of a Joe Shear Classic win is pretty special to Chad.
“Joe Shear is a short track legend and just to be a part of such a cool tribute race and to make the trophy is an honor. I think we have made a very unique trophy with Joe’s car machined in it, a trophy they can look at and never forget what they achieved that day,” concluded Chad.
The Joe Shear Classic presented by Scag Power Equipment is this Sunday, May 1st at Madison International Speedway. Qualifying begins at 12:45, with an autograph session in the grandstands to follow. Racing begins at 2:00pm. For additional information please visit www.arcamidwesttour.com.
Be sure to follow the ARCA Midwest Tour on Facebook (/midwesttour) and Twitter (@midwesttour).
To learn more about the ARCA Midwest Tour, log on to arcamidwesttour.com. The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers more than 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.
