Wisconsin short track stock car racer Rich Somers honored at Wisconsin International Raceway

Thursday, August 22, 2024 will be the annual Rich Somers Memorial Race at Wisconsin International Raceway.

If you were to attend a short track stock car race in central to southeastern Wisconsin in the mid 70s to the mid 80s, you would likely be watching Rich Somers racing in the late model circuit.

A news paper clipping from 50 years ago this week shows Somers in the top five, points wise, at three different tracks in the state. 4th at La Crosse Interstate Racetrack. 3rd at Wisconsin Dells Motor Speedway and 1st at Wisconsin International Raceway.

It was at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna where Somers had his greatest success. He finished the season there first in points in 1974 and 1978, and 2nd in 1979.

It’s this success that’s behind the race track now honoring Somers, who passed away in 2011. He was inducted into the Wisconsin International Raceway Circle of Fame in 2019. The race track also honors Somers with a Rich Somers Memorial Race each year, and this year, that race happens Thursday, August 22, 2024.