WEST SALEM, WI – Officials of the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway announced the dates for its 2026 Racing Schedule. This year marks the 57th consecutive season in operation as a paved track, and its 38th straight year operating as a NASCAR Sanctioned Weekly Racing facility.
The action kicks off on Saturday Afternoon, May 16th for the 2026 Season Opener, featuring the NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR Sportsmen, NASCAR Hornets, 6 Shooters, and Mini Vans. Racing begins at 2:00 PM.
The schedule includes a variety of events for motorsports and automotive enthusiasts, running through mid-August and culminating in the Midwest’s crown jewel of short track racing the 57th consecutive running of the Oktoberfest Race Weekend, October 8-11, 2026
“This season is action-packed and full of racing excitement,” commented director of directional signage, Sharon Johnson. “In addition to the weekly classes of racing, we’ll have fantastic thrill shows, stunts, street drag racing, and endurance racing. Of course, our job is to put on great racing events, but it’s also our goal to be a source of great family entertainment in the coulee region,” continued Johnson.
“Every event is unique to our schedule, even if it’s a ‘regular weekly racing event,’ because we have several fun stunts, or ‘novelty events,’ as we call them. Whether it’s a trailer race, a spin to win race, boat race, or T-Bone Crash, or whatever it is, we always try to add something that will send fans home with great memories. Our Thursday night Street Drags events allow a fun way for anyone to race their car down the frontstretch, bracket style, against similar vehicles,” concluded Johnson.
Oktoberfest Race Weekend, now in its 57th year, runs October 8–11, 2026, and features four days of stock car racing, legendary after-race parties, super late models, the ever-popular camper village, and over 700 laps of feature racing. Fans can visit OktoberfestRaceWeekend.com for full event details.
If you are looking to get a 2026 Punch Card they are available on our website. The pass includes 12 punches to regular weekly racing events during the 2026 Season. The pass expires on 8-31-2026 and is not valid for SMASH-O-RAMA, Special Events, or events promoted by other companies. Get your pass now: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/2026-season-punch-card
The complete 2026 Event Schedule is available at LaCrosseSpeedway.com, with additional details to be released in the coming months.
LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway is located at the LaCrosse Interstate Fairgrounds, at the intersection of Highway 16 and County Road M in West Salem, Wisconsin. For more information, visit LaCrosseSpeedway.com or call 608-786-1525. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for real-time updates and announcements.
2026 Schedule
All Events Subject to Change
Saturday, January 24th, 2026 – 2025 Champions Banquet Features Fieldhouse in West Salem, WI BUY TICKETS
Saturday, May 9th, 2026 – Open Practice from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday, May 16th, 2026 (2:00 PM) – 2026 Season Opener – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, 6 Shooters, Mini Vans
Thursday, May 21st, 2026 (7:30 PM) – Thursday Night Street Drags featuring numerous brackets of ‘One on One’ Drag Racing on our 300 foot Drag Strip plus Shine N’ Show and Burnout Contest
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Throttle and Thirst Discount Beverage Night – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, Street Stocks, Mini Vans
Saturday, May 30th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Kids Night – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, 6 Shooters, MSC Vintage Modifieds
Saturday, June 6th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – NASCAR Racing – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, Street Stocks, High School Racing Association
Saturday, June 13th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Autograph Night – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, 6 Shooters, Mini Vans
Thursday, June 18th, 2026 (7:30 PM) – Thursday Night Street Drags featuring numerous brackets of ‘One on One’ Drag Racing on our 300 foot Drag Strip plus Shine N’ Show and Burnout Contest
Saturday, June 20th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – SMASH-O-RAMA and Fireworks – Monster Trucks, Boat Race of Destruction, Jet Car Meltdown, Stunts, Fireworks, 6 Shooters, Mini Vans, and much more!
Saturday, June 27th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – NASCAR Racing – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, Street Stocks, High School Racing Association
Saturday, July 4th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Fireworks Spectacular – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, Street Stocks, American Super Cups
Saturday, July 11th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Quarter Mile Mania – 6 Shooters, Street Stocks, Mini Vans, High School Racing Association
Wednesday, July 15th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Fair Time Special – CWRA Late Models, Area Sportsmen, Legends
Thursday, July 16th, 2026 (7:30 PM) – Thursday Night Street Drags featuring numerous brackets of ‘One on One’ Drag Racing on our 300 foot Drag Strip plus Shine N’ Show and Burnout Contest
Friday, July 17th, 2026 – TBD
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Fair Time 50 – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, 6 Shooters, High School Racing Association, Upper Midwest Vintage Racing Series
Sunday, July 19th, 2026 – Car Show
Saturday, July 25th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – NASCAR Racing – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, Street Stocks, Mini Vans
Saturday, August 1st, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Trailer Race of Destruction – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, 6 Shooters, High School Racing Association
Saturday, August 8th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – NASCAR Racing – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, Street Stocks, High School Racing Association
Saturday, August 15th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Double Feature Showdown – Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets, Street Stocks, Mini Vans, Legends
Thursday, August 20th, 2026 (7:30 PM) – Thursday Night Street Drags featuring numerous brackets of ‘One on One’ Drag Racing on our 300 foot Drag Strip plus Shine N’ Show and Burnout Contest
Saturday, September 5th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Big Cheese 200 Lap Enduro
Saturday, September 12th, 2026 (7:00 PM) – Night of Destruction – Monster Trucks, Trailer Race of Destruction, Jet Car Meltdown, Fireworks, Stunts, 6 Shooters, Mini Vans, and much more!
Thursday, September 17th, 2026 (7:30 PM) – Thursday Night Street Drags featuring numerous brackets of ‘One on One’ Drag Racing on our 300 foot Drag Strip plus Shine N’ Show and Burnout Contest
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 – Oktoberfest Open Practice
Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 – Oktoberfest Open Practice
Thursday, October 8th, 2026 – 57th Oktoberfest Race Weekend
Friday, October 9th, 2026 – 57th Oktoberfest Race Weekend
Saturday, October 10th, 2026 – 57th Oktoberfest Race Weekend
Sunday, October 11th, 2026 – 57th Oktoberfest Race Weekend