10-time Hales Corners champ dies
Russ Scheffler of Waukesha, Wis., a 10-time champion at Hales Corners Speedway and the most successful member of a long-time Milwaukee-area dirt racing family, died Wednesday. The 54-year-old’s death was reported on the DiscountShopTowels.com Dirt Kings Late Model Tour Facebook page.
Scheffler, who won seven straight titles at the now-closed Hales Corners track from 1995-’01, was also a four-time WDLMA champion, including during the 2012 season when he posted an organization-best 15 victories.
The drywall contractor — he operated Suburban Drywall which long sponsored his No. 74 race car — in recent years has owned the Late Model driven by nephew Mitch McGrath. Other family members with successful dirt racing careers include his late father George, brother Rick and another nephew, Taylor Scheffler.
The Dirt Kings Tour, the series on which McGrath won the first-ever event in Scheffler’s No. 74 on May 26 in Oshkosh, Wis., sent condolences to the family.
"Russ was a fierce competitor and legend in dirt track racing,” the tour’s message said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Scheffler family during this difficult time. Rest in peace Russ.
Scheffler, who found much of his success driving for car owner Bill Behling, also won track championships at Plymouth Dirt Track (2007), Manitowoc Expo Speedway (2009-’10, ’12-’13) and Seymour Tri-Oval Raceway. He was a two-time Wisconsin UMP DIRTcar state champion. Besides his consecutive Late Model titles at Hales Corners, he also was champion in 1990-’91 and ’03.
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