MELROSE, Wis. – Melrose-Mindoro High School made history this year by becoming the first school in Wisconsin to offer auto racing as a letterable sport for students. This Friday, November 11, those students will receive their letters for the 2022 High School Racing Association (HSRA) race season.
HSRA will host an open house on Friday at the Melrose-Mindoro High School auditorium starting at 6 p.m. Those with questions or interest in getting involved are encouraged to attend. The letter ceremony and awards presentation will begin at 7 p.m.
HSRA was created in 2020 as a way to feature high school-aged drivers in competition throughout the summer race season, and provide students with an economical way to enter stock car racing. HSRA racing currently takes place at La Crosse Speedway, Tomah-Sparta Speedway, Dells Raceway Park and Madison International Speedway.
Melrose-Mindoro students – Braydon Lockington, Kennedy Krueger and Mitchell Berg – will receive their letters but also the School Championship trophy. HSRA racers attending the same high school have their individual season points all added together to determine school standings.
“We saw a lot of growth this race season for the series,” said HSRA Director Jonathan Eckelberg. “We added a new track to the schedule; we saw an increase in number of drivers; new scholarships and sponsors have come forward, and we have a high school offering auto racing as a letterable sport!”
Eckelberg said he hopes other school districts see value in allowing their student race car drivers some recognition as well.
In order for students competing in the HSRA division to have the opportunity to receive a letter from the school district, they must be in good academic standing, race in a minimum of four HSRA events at an HSRA-sanctioned race track and they must show good sportsmanship at all times.
“I would like to encourage other schools in the area, who have students in the HSRA racing division, to reach out to me if they would like more information on how you might be able to get racing as a letterable sport in your school,” said Heather Young, HSRA adviser for Melrose-Mindoro High School.
The HSRA features American Production six-cylinder sedans with various safety enhancements. The driver’s high school colors and mascot must be incorporated into the paint scheme of the car. Students entering their freshman year of high school, current high school students as well as those just graduating from high school, with a minimum age of 14 and maximum age of 19 are eligible to compete. A complete set of rules and regulations can be found on the Official HSRA website at highschoolracing.org.
Racing facilities interested in hosting HSRA events, schools, or students who want to learn more, are encouraged to contact Jonathan Eckelberg, HSRA Director at jon@highschoolracing.org or
608-769-3903.
Final HSRA Standings:
1. Ashton Kinsey
2. Mitchell Berg
3. Landin Frye
4. Braydon Lockington
5. Jake Mathison
6. Elliott Hawkins
7. Charlie Thompson
8. Curtis Hellickson
9. Kennedy Krueger (R)
10. Jackson Martindale
11. Ryatt Dobbratz (R)
12. Trinity Aasen (R)
13. Joey Miller
14. Trenton Frye
15. Dawsynn Frye
16. Devin Lee (R)
17. Logan Backus (R)
18. Anne Green (R)
19. Hunter Sarver (R)
20. Blaise Watters (R)
21. McKenna Rudolph
22. Chandler Workman (R)
23. Chance Lounsbury
24. Seth Genivico
25. Logan Miller (R)
26. Todd Clausson (R)
Final HSRA School Standings:
1. Melrose-Mindoro High School – 574
2. Royall High School – 375
3. Onalaska High School – 292
4. Whitehall High School – 278
5. Rockford Christian – 107
6. Harlem High School – 105
7. Stillman Valley High School – 91
8. Aquinas High School – 80
9. Mineral Point High School – 64
10. West Salem High School – 56
11. Memorial High School – 49
12. Black River Falls High School – 47
13. Hononegah Community High School – 44
14. Tomah High School – 35