History

Viking Speedway Hall of Fame

Viking Speedway Hall of Fame Inductees:
2001 - Gerry Geris, Frankie Herzog,
2002 - Dean and Butch Peterson,
2003 - Jim Johnson, Florian Sprinzel,
2004 - Dave Gilbertson, Walt Anderson,
2005 - Roy Snyder, Dick Block,
2006 - Wayne Kluver, Larry Holverson,
2007 - Don Domine, Ollie Buse,
2008 - Bill Peterson, Jerry Kluver,
2009 - Jerry VanKempen, Jim Nieland,
2010 - Greg Muzik, Stu Olson,
2011 - Ron Pease, Duwayne Nelson,
2012 - Dave Stork, Scott Hillig,
2013 - Jeff Hinkemeyer, Tom Carlson,
2014 - Larry Crouse, Ryan Muzik,
2015 - Gary Reents, Randy Reents,
2016 - Ron Krog
2017 - Dave Thoennes, Dave Zimmerman,
2018 - Dick Klug, Mark Gustafson,
2019 - Vern Olson, Rudy's Electric,
2020 - Covid19
2021 - Scot Danzeisen, Charlie Meyer
2022 - Dennis Bitzan, Elaine Thoennes
2023 - Jeff Wildung, Jon Stepan

*Qualifications for induction into Viking Speedway Hall of Fame.
1. Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years of active participation of
competitor, race track support or service to the speedway.
2. Drivers must be retired or not in competition on a full time basis. This
was amended on November 13, 2012 by the Hall of Fame Committee
to read as follows: Drivers 50 years or older and been active for a
minimum of 5 years, and still race full time can now be considered for
induction into the Viking Speedway Hall of Fame.
3. Drivers under 50 years of age will receive consideration if not racing
full time at the time of nomination. This age change is for all
candidates who meet the other qualifications who meet the other
qualifications for track support and track service, also.
4. Candidates must be of good moral charter, in good standing with the
Viking Speedway and also within the community.

The Hall of Fame Committee includes: Bill Peterson, Don Dominie, Stu Olson, Bert Pexsa and Rich Snyder.

Viking Speedway History

Stock car racing in Alexandria had its beginning back in 1953 with the West Central Racing Association (WCRA) proving the program. The WCRA, featured races in Alexandria, Morris, Fergus Falls and Wadena. The West Central Speedway Association had a seven-year run and was the only other racing organization to race in Alexandria, paving the way for the Viking Speedway, which emerged in 1965.

The first race under the Viking Speedway banner took place on Sunday, June 13, 1965 during the afternoon. Jim Johnson, driving car No. 82, won the first ever stock car race at the Viking oval, winning the opening heat race. Dick Block and Les Ekdahl followed Johnson across the finishing line on the big half-mile oval. Jerry Geris in car 1-2 won the second race followed by the late Butch Peterson, Julian Barsness, Doug Skoglund and John Loch. Geris also won the trophy dash race while Peterson won the first ever feature event, followed by Geris. Fastest time in the time trials went to Geris with a time of 36.4 seconds. A total of 10 cars from the Alexandria Area were part of the competition on the Viking Speedway lidlifter with Jim Loveland and Gordie Rachel also competing that day. A total of 275 paying customers were part of the history making season opener. The speedway did not start on good financial footing, as they had to borrow $22 to meet the first race expenses.

Geris finished the season with 527 points to walk off with the season point championship. Johnson led in most categories by recording the top time for the season with a clocking of 34.4 seconds. He also was the first driver to complete a clean sweep at the Viking oval, winning all three races during the July 4th race program. Johnson finished the season with three clean sweeps to lead all competitors and his 18 wins also was tops. He also was the leading money winner for a day, earning $45.

Races were held on Sunday afternoons during the first campaign before moving to Saturday evenings during the 1966 campaign. Officials during the opening season included flagman Frankie Herzog, Jerry VanKempen, announcer, Alan Bakke was the timer, Dallas Triebenbach was the scorer and the late Arvo Lofquist was the treasurer. Total income for the opening season was listed at $6,000. More than once drivers were not paid, with just the employees being paid. If the drivers were paid they were usually paid the same whether they registered a clean sweep of just timed in.

Other racers race fans cheered on during the first season included Jim Yager, Dave Gilbertson, Jim Bruzek, Duwayne Marquette, Jerry Rasmussen, Jim Feeks, Jim Hartman, Floyd Anderson, Jim Waldorf, Bob Week, Henry Chan, Joe Riesselman, Tom Muzik, Dave Nielson, Gerald Gau, Paul Mohawk, Frank Hughes, Larry Olson, Gary Thornborg, Jim Danielson, Gary Doering, Bill Collins, Ron Blehn, Roger Hetland, Dean Peterson and Skip Vickerman.

Since that initial season, race fans have witnesses some of the top racers in the country compete on the big oval for 53 consecutive seasons.

During the early stages of the Viking Speedway, cars had to be at least 10-years old and there was just one class of race cars.
In 1966 the speedway went to bigger engines and newer cars and attendance took off.

The Viking oval has run under several different banners including Tri-Can (racers from the Dakotas, Minnesota and Canada.

The Viking oval was also associated with NASCAR for a host of seasons and in recent years has run under the WISSOTA classification.

The Viking Oval was selected the WISSOTA Track of the Year during the 2005 racing campaign.

The Speedway has also played host to a number of special events including sprint cars and late models running on a national circuit under the UMP banner featuring some well known drivers like Billy Moyer and Gary Webb among others.

The Busch All-Star Tour was also hosted by the Viking Speedway featuring such drivers as Joe, Ed and Steve Kosciusko, Ray Guss Jr., Rick Egersdorf and Roger Dolan among others. Ken Schrader of Winston Cup and Sprint Cup fame has also raced on the big half-mile oval. The Viking oval has had a host of drivers with outstanding accomplishments as well. Geris won the first four point championships and has five overall. Jeff Hinkemeyer won five straight Late Model point crowns and has seven overall. Scot Danzeisen recorded nine straight Modified point titles and has 10 overall. He has also won a pair of Super Stock championships. Other drivers also have recorded multiple point championships.

Currently the Viking Speedway is a one-half-mile semi-banked clay oval that races five WISSOTA sanctioned classes; Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks every Saturday night from the end of April through Labor Day, including the Viking Fall Classic in October.

Viking Speedway is located in Alexandria, MN, approximately 3/4 mile west of State Hwy. 29 on County Road 82 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Viking Speedway Past Champions

Late Model
1965 – Jerry Geris (1-2)
1966 – Jerry Geris (1-2)
1967 – Jerry Geris (1-2)
1968 – Jerry Geris (1-2)
1969 – Jim Johnson (82)
1970 – Jerry Wendorf (58)
1971 – Wayne Kluver(9)
1972 – Roy Snyder (49)
1973 – Dave Gilbertson (40)
1974 – Dick Block (33)
1975 – Jerry Geris (1-2)
1976 – Wayne Kluver (9)
1977 – Wayne Kluver (9)
1978 – Wayne Kluver (9)
1979 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (13)
1980 – Buzzy Cripe (63)
1981 – Joe Salner (4)
1982 – Dwaine Hansen (1)
1983 – No LM Class
1984 – No LM Class
1985 – Steve Thorsen (82)
1986 – Steve Thorsen (82)
NASCAR/WISSOTA Late Model
1987 – Roch Johanneck (76)
1988 – Dwayne Clarke (1)
1989 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (4)
1990 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (4)
1991 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (4)
1992 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (4)
1993 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (4)
1994 – Jeff Wildung (50)
1995 – Jeff Wildung (50)
1996 – Jeff Wildung (50)
1997 – Rick Thoennes (52)
1998 – Tom Thompson (12)
1999 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (4)
2000 – Rick Thoennes (52)
2001 – Don Shaw (42)
2002 – Don Shaw (42)
2003 – Tom Thompson (12)
2004 – Jeff Wildung (50)
2005 – Jeff Wildung (50)
2006 – Jason Thoennes (52)
2007 – Jeff Wildung (50)
2008 – Jeff Hinkemeyer (4)
2009 – Jeff Wildung (50)
2010 – Jeff Wildung (50)
2011 – Shaun Peterson (32)
2012 - Jeff Wildung (50)
2013 - Jeff Wildung (50)
2014 - Eric Breeschoten (66)
2015 - No LM Class
2016 - Don Shaw (42)
2017 - Zach Johnson (73)

Sportsman/Limited Late Model
1973 – Jerry Chlian (76)
1974 – Jerry Chlian (76)
1975 – Gary McPhail (20)
1976 – Don Snelson (3)
1977 – Darrel Hadler (77)
1978 – Jerry Chlian (76)
1979 – Jim Nieland (52)
1980 – Richard Klug (28)
1981 – Dave Gilbertson (33)
1982 – Bill Peterson (32)
1983 – Bill Peterson/Jerry Geris (32)
1984 – Bill Peterson (32)
2017 - Ben Wolden (50)
2018 - Ben Wolden (50)
2019 - Ryan Mikkelson (77)
2020 - Dustin Johanneck (76)

NASCAR/WISSOTA Modified
1985 – Tom Feierabend (11)
1986 – Roy Snyder (49)
1987 – Ryan Muzik (23)
1988 – Ryan Muzik (23)
1989 – Ryan Muzik (23)
1990 – Dave Stork (57)
1991 – Scott Hillig (98)
1992 – Scott Hillig (98)
1993 – Scott Hillig (98)
1994 – Dell Arneson
1995 – Dennis Bitzan (52)
1996 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
1997 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
1998 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
1999 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
2000 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
2001 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
2002 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
2003 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
2004 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
2005 – Jason Thoennes (52)
2006 – Zach Johnson (73)
2007 – Scot Danzeisen (5x)
2008 – Dennis Bitzan (10x)
2009 – Dennis Bitzan (10x)
2010 – Jason Thoennes (52)
2011 – Travis Saurer (21)
2012 - Travis Saurer (21)
2013 - Josh Thoennes (51)
2014 - Jason Thoennes (52)
2015 - Tim Johnson (1)
2016 - Brady Gerdes (2x)
2017 - Josh Thoennes (51)
2018 - Brady Gerdes (2x)
2019 - Brady Gerdes (2x)
2020 - Brady Gerdes (2x)
2021 -

Street Stock/Thunder/Sportsman/Super Stock
1979 – Arnie Bitzan (52)
1980 – Jerry Lorentz (36)
1981 – Dennis Bitzan (52)
1982 – Greg Muzik (18)
1983 – Greg Muzik (18)
1984 – Darwin Sibell (3)
1985 – Greg Muzik (18)
1986 – Jim Koranda/Gary Ott (89)
1987 – Larry Crouse (29)
1988 – Ken Bullick (15)
1989 – Dennis Bitzan (52)
1990 – Bob Richardson (16)
1991 – Jerry Thorstad (34)
1992 – Chris Riley (27)
1993 – Joe Henkemeyer (2)
1994 – Scott Gilbertson (40)
1995 – J.D. Dickenson
1996 – Larry Lund (54)
1997 – Ron Host (50)
1998 – Ron Host (50)
1999 – Ron Host (50)
2000 – Jon Stepan (3)
2001 – Jon Stepan (3)
2002 – Don Shaw (42)
2003 – Jon Stepan (3)
2004 – Scot Danzeisen (66)
2005 – Scot Danzeisen (66)
2006 – Scot Danzeisen (66)
2007 – Scot Danzeisen (66)
2008 – Larry Lund (54)
2009 – Jon Stepan (3)
2010 – Cory Tammen (71)
2011 – Jeff Crouse (29)
2012 - Jon Stepan (3)
2013 - Jeff Crouse (29)
2014 - Jeff Crouse (29)
2015 - Tim Johnson (1JR)
2016 - Tim Johnson (1JR)
2017 - Tim Johnson (1JR)
2018 - Jeff Crouse (29*)
2019 - Trevor Saurer (21)
2020 - Trevor Saurer (21)
2021 -

NASCAR/WISSOTA Street Stock
1993 – Mark Pekarek
1994 – Jon Stepan (3)
1995 – Jon Stepan (3)
1996 – Gary Solid
1997 – Jon Stepan (3)
1998 – Mark Pekarek
1999 – Mark Schloegl
2000 – Mark Schloegl
2001 – Jim Williams (22)
2002 – Jim Williams (22)
2003 – Gary Reents (1)
2004 – Jim Williams (22)
2005 – Scott Horn
2006 – Jay Hedtke
2007 – Shawn Wageman
2008 – Mark Blom (6x)
2009 – Jason Babcock
2010 – Andrew Bangsund (70)
2011 – Andrew Bangsund (70)
2012 - Adam Burrows
2013 - Adam Burrows
2014 - Justin Vogel (10)
2015 - Tim Johnson (1JR)
2016 - Tim Johnson (1JR)
2017 - Tim Johnson (1JR)
2018 - Brett Miller (3)
2019 - Andrew Bangsund (70)
2020 - Ryan Satter (67)
2021 -

WISSOTA Pure Stock
2016 - Nick McCleary

NASCAR/WISSOTA Midwest Modified
1999 – Terry Engebretson (1)
2000 – Robert Behrens
2001 – Randy Vroman
2002 – Brian Gordon
2003 – Zach Johnson (73)
2004 – Shane Sabraski (7a)
2005 – Jason Cook (79)
2006 – Danny Bayer (36)
2007 – Danny Bayer (36)
2008- Josh Thoennes (51)
2009 – Josh Thoennes (51)
2010 – Brian Haben (6)
2011 – Travis Saurer (21)
2012 - Travis Saurer (21)
2013 - Jamie Thorstad (34)
2014 - Jamie Thorstad (34)
2015 - Justin Froemming (33x)
2016 - Jamie Thorstad (34)
2017 - Shawn Olson (32)
2018 - Nick Bruder (092)
2019 - Brock Gronwold (2G)
2020 - Brock Gronwold (2G)
2021 -

NASCAR Four Cylinder
1990 – Garry Servatius (1)
1991 – Garry Servatius (1)

NASCAR/WISSOTA Pro-Four Modified
1993 – Jesse Klug (28)
1994 – Scott Nouis
1995 – Scott Atkinson
1996 – Scott Atkinson
1997 – Mike Peterson (1)
1998 – Shaun Peterson (32)
1999 – Justin Nieland (52)
2000 – Corey Wendland
2001 – Ron Sauer (42)
2002 – Mike Peterson (1)
2003 – Mike Peterson (1)
2004 – Steve Stanton

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