In addition Shawano's Scott Owen has been named the track's new track announcer and public relations director.  This after last season's announcer/pr man Joe Verdegan decided to take this year off after 20 years of work behind the microphone at northeastern Wisconsin ovals.

 

During the track's awards banquet earlier this year Marquis announced his retirement, after more than four decades worth of preparing dirt tracks in the area.   However after receiving an award for all of the tireless hours he spends prepping the third-mile, clay oval he reconsidered and thus will come back to work at Luxemburg another year.

 

Last fall Verdegan underwent a bone marrow transplant following a four year battle with cancer. "My health right now is fine," said Verdegan.  "My reasons for leaving are simply to spend more time with my family this summer.  As the years have gone on I've gotten more heavily involved in coaching baseball and football.  I've got a nice place up north and I want to spend more time up there."

 

Verdegan served as Luxemburg's spokesperson and voice behind the mic the last three seasons. "Rick Goral's probably been the best track manager's I've ever worked for," said Verdegan.  "He quite simply let's you do your job.  I've had a great time at Luxemburg.  It's a solid program and I feel even better now that Scott's taking over.  He's knowledgable and like myself has a great passion for the sport of stock car racing.  I'm leaving the program in real good hands." 

 

Verdegan will continue to write his weekly racing columns for both the Green Bay Press Gazette and the Checkered Flag Racing News.  He will still attend area races on occasion throughout the  summer.

 

Owen and Verdegan announced together at Shawano in 2004.  Owen has also raced himself,  running an IMCA stock car for two seasons and is heavily involved in the ice racing scene in and around Shawano County.  "I'm a big fan of the racing at Luxemburg," said Owen, who will also call the action on Saturday nights at Shawano Speedway.  "It's got a solid car count and fan base and we're looking to have some fun on Friday nights this year."

 

The 2005 season will begin Friday night, April 29 at 7 p.m.  IMCA modifieds, IMCA stock cars, IMCA hobby stocks and sport fours will compete weekly through Labor day weekend.   Special events featuring the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw sprint cars will be run, as well as a pair of appearances by the Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association (WDLMA) and the United States  Modified Touring Series (USMTS) will also be run this season.

 

A complete season schedule which will include specials events with other divisions is expected  to be released soon.  For more information call 920 863 8446.  The track's website is luxemburgspeedway.com. Luxemburg Speedway is located 15 minutes east of Green Bay off highway 54 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds.