Escanaba Speedway 2023 track champions pose with their championship trophies on Dec. 30, 2023 at Highland Golf Club.

ESCANABA — Escanaba Speedway wrapped up it’s 2023 season with their annual banquet at Highland Golf Club on Dec. 30, 2023.

The Speedway crowned the track champions in each class and took a look to what’s in store for the upcoming 2024 season. The 2024 season is set to begin on Saturday May 18 and already has 14 scheduled race nights going into 2024, the most ever in a season.

“Next year is going to be a great year for us,” Escanaba Speedway President Charles Peterson said. “We have some new sponsors coming on in 2024 and with our new board of directors and all the happenings around the association and the prospects of good car counts we look for a very good year for us as well as our fans.”

The Escanaba Speedway’s board of directors are working hard to get where they need to be to have a successful season. In fact, Highline Internet, Domino’s Pizza and Wendy Holzenkamp of Coldwell Banker are on board as new sponsors in 2024.

“Everyone on the board is giving 110 percent,” Peterson said. “There are no backseat drivers everyone is focused on the same goal of making the 2024 season the best it can be.”

Vintage Modified champion Scott Degnan picked up his 16th track title in 2023 and now looks for the 17th in 2024.

“There is high and low points in every season,” Degnan said. “I needed help this season with a backup driver who stepped in for me me when I was very sick to finish out the season. I’m very exited about next season. With the extra shows we will have lots of work to do to get back here.But I’m ready to get started.”

International Motor Contest Association Sport Modified driver Matt Valiquette looks to defend his championship in 2024.

“Every championship is special,” Valiquette said. “The competition continues to grow and we have to work harder every year to get back in this position.”

Valiquette found victory lane twice in 2023 with feature wins coming on June 10th and August 20th. Valiquette stayed consistent with seven top five finishes in nine events.

Kaleb Warm picked up his first track championship holding off a late surge from Bentley Richer who won the final three races of the season but came up two points short of Warm.

“It’s fun to race against my friends,” Warm said. “I want to thank my dad and grandpa’s for all the help.”

To find out more information on Escanaba Speeway go to www.escanabaspeedway.com or find them on Facebook.