WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. — The historic Larry Detjens Memorial Race returns for its 46th running on Saturday, August 8, serving as the premier headliner for the Alive for 5 Super Late Model Series at Dells Raceway Park.
Over the past four decades, this prestigious event has traveled across Wisconsin short tracks—including stints at State Park Speedway and Golden Sands Speedway—before finding its current home at Dells Raceway Park, where Detjens famously collected 18 career feature wins.
Honoring a Short Track Legend
Established in the fall of 1981, the memorial race pays tribute to the legendary short track star who tragically lost his life earlier that season in a racing accident at Wisconsin International Raceway.
Detjens' remarkable racing resume cemented his status as one of the era's elite drivers:
• 10 ARTGO wins
• 3 ASA wins, including a victory at the Minnesota State Fair
• 1977 Track Champion at both State Park Speedway and Capital Super Speedway
• 1980 Slinger Nationals Champion
• 2-time Oktoberfest winner
• Feature winner at New Smyrna’s World Series of Asphalt (Florida)
• Three victories in California at Mesa Marin and All-American Speedway
• Scheduled to make his inaugural NASCAR start prior to his passing
"To win this race is huge. So many drivers have raced in it and tried to win it because of their respect for Larry. This race for me is like Daytona, there’s so much history in it."
— Mark Mackesy, 4-time race winner
Nearly 46 years after his passing, Detjens remains celebrated for both his immense talent on the track and his character off of it.
"It's nice when you can honor someone that was basically an icon in the racing community. Larry, everybody knew him in his short life, he was such an easy going guy."
— Ron Wimmer, Former Owner of State Park Speedway
Event Details & Schedule
A loaded five-division card shares the spotlight on August 8, headlined by the Alive for 5 Super Late Models.
• Headliners: Alive for 5 Super Late Models
• Supporting Classes: NASCAR 602 Late Models, Midwest Dash Series, INEX Legends, and Bandos
• Fan Gates Open: 3:00 PM
• Qualifying: 4:30 PM
• Racing Begins: 6:00 PM
The list of past Detjens Memorial Race winners reads like a who’s who in Midwest racing royalty.
Past Detjens Memorial Winners
2025 Mark Mackesy (4)
2024 Justin Mondeik (2)
2023 Brock Heinrich
2022 Jonathan Eilen
2021 Ty Majeski
2020 Justin Mondeik
2019 Gabe Sommers
2018 Casey Johnson
2017 Chris Wimmer (2)
2016 Derek Kraus
2015 Johnny Sauter
2014 Tim Sauter (2)
2013 Tim Sauter
2012 Mark Mackesy (3)
2011 Chris Weinkauf (3)
2010 Chris Weinkauf (2)
2009 Andrew Morrissey (Golden Sands)
2008 Not Run
2007 Not Run
2006 Mark Mackesy (2)
2005 Allen Check
2004 Charlie Menard
2003 Chris Weinkauf
2002 Scott Wimmer (2)
2001 Scott Wimmer
2000 Chris Wimmer
1999 Mark Mackesy
1998 Jesse Hasse
1997 Donnie Woller (3)
1996 Wayne Breitenfeldt (2)
1995 Kirby Kurth (2)
1994 Donnie Woller (2)
1993 Joe Krzykowski
1992 Kirby Kurth
1991 Donnie Woller
1990 Bryan Reffner
1989 Wayne Breitenfeldt
1987 Tom Reffner (2)
1986 Kevin Cywinski
1985 Dick Trickle (3)
1984 Tom Reffner
1983 Kevin Stepan
1982 Dick Trickle (2)
1981 Dick Trickle