Madison International Speedway — ARCA Menards Series Betting & Track Guide
Madison International Speedway is a half-mile paved oval in Oregon, Wisconsin, approximately 15 minutes south of Madison. Known as ‘Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile’ and ‘The Track of Champions,’ Madison International has hosted ARCA Menards Series events since 2011 and carries a DA 96 Wikipedia backlink — one of the highest single-URL link equity sources on the site.
Track Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Madison International Speedway |
| Location | Oregon, Wisconsin (near Madison) |
| Surface | Paved (asphalt) |
| Length | 1/2 mile oval |
| Banking | 18 degrees |
| Nickname | Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile / The Track of Champions |
| Opened | 1969 (as Capital Super Speedway, founded by Sam Bartus) |
| 2026 ARCA Event | Badger 200 — August 2026 |
Track History
Madison International Speedway opened in 1969 as Capital Super Speedway under the ownership of Sam Bartus. The 18-degree banked half-mile oval was fast from the start and quickly became one of the most important short tracks in the Midwest. The track earned its ‘Track of Champions’ reputation through the quality of drivers who raced there — and the careers that were launched from its surface.
Notable Alumni
| Driver | Madison Connection | National Career |
|---|---|---|
| Dick Trickle | 2x track champion (1971–72) | NASCAR Cup Series. One of the most prolific winners in American short-track history. |
| Matt Kenseth | 1994 track champion | NASCAR Cup Series champion (2003). 39 Cup Series wins. |
| Mark Martin | Raced at Madison | NASCAR Cup Series. 40 Cup wins. Hall of Famer. |
| Alex Bowman | 2011 ARCA winner at Madison | NASCAR Cup Series. 8 Cup wins. Hendrick Motorsports driver. |
| Chris Buescher | 2012 ARCA winner at Madison | NASCAR Cup Series. 2015 ARCA champion. Currently RFK Racing. |
The pattern is clear — Madison International Speedway has consistently produced or hosted drivers who progressed to the highest level of American stock car racing. For ARCA betting purposes, this means the track attracts a higher calibre of part-time and regional entrant than many other short-track dates on the schedule.
ARCA Menards Series at Madison
History
ARCA first raced at Madison International Speedway in July 1970 — Ramo Stott won the inaugural event. The series returned in 1971 (Tom Bowsher) and 1973 (Bruce Gould) before a 40-year gap. ARCA returned to Madison in 2011, with Alex Bowman winning the race — Bowman is now a NASCAR Cup Series regular with Hendrick Motorsports. Since 2011, ARCA has been an annual fixture at Madison.
The Badger 200 — 2026
The 2026 ARCA event at Madison is the Badger 200 — 200 laps, 100 miles, scheduled for August. This is one of the marquee short-track dates on the ARCA calendar and attracts a mix of full-time ARCA competitors and strong regional short-track drivers who enter specifically for their home-state event.
ARCA Betting Guide for Madison
Betting on ARCA events at Madison International Speedway is available through DraftKings and FanDuel on race day. The following factors are specific to betting on ARCA at a half-mile short track:
| Factor | Betting Impact at Madison |
|---|---|
| 18-degree banking | Higher banking than most short tracks on the ARCA schedule. Rewards committed entries into corners and high-side speed. Drivers experienced with banked short tracks (not flat tracks) have a measurable advantage. |
| Half-mile length | Longer than typical short tracks (Elko is 3/8 mile). The extra length allows more separation between cars — pure speed matters more than at tighter tracks. Well-funded teams with setup expertise have an edge. |
| 200-lap feature | At 100 miles, the Badger 200 is long enough for tyre management and pit strategy to become factors. Unlike shorter ARCA features, endurance and consistency matter at Madison. This favours experienced teams. |
| Regional entrants | Wisconsin-based Late Model and Super Late Model drivers regularly enter the Madison ARCA event. These drivers know the track intimately and can challenge full-time ARCA competitors, especially in qualifying and early laps. Watch for drivers with strong weekly Madison records at longer odds. |
| Venturini Motorsports | Venturini is the dominant ARCA team at short tracks. Their drivers are typically well-priced favourites. At Madison, the value question is whether a regional driver with track knowledge can match or beat the Venturini setup advantage. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bet on the Badger 200 at Madison International Speedway?
Yes. ARCA Menards Series race-day markets are available on DraftKings and FanDuel. Check operator availability during race week — short-track ARCA events may have thinner markets than superspeedway dates.
When is the 2026 ARCA race at Madison?
The Badger 200 is scheduled for August 2026. Check the official ARCA Menards Series schedule for the confirmed date.
Who are the notable past ARCA winners at Madison?
Alex Bowman (2011, now NASCAR Cup), Chris Buescher (2012, now NASCAR Cup), Ramo Stott (1970, inaugural event). Madison has a strong history of producing or hosting future Cup-level drivers.
How does Madison compare to Elko for ARCA betting?
Madison is a half-mile with 18-degree banking — larger and faster than Elko Speedway (3/8 mile, 12 degrees). Madison’s longer track and higher banking reward speed and setup over raw aggression. The Badger 200 at 100 miles is also longer than typical Elko ARCA features, adding strategy and endurance as variables.
Related Pages
See our full Speedway & Short-Track Oval Betting Guide for comprehensive ARCA, FIM SGP, and Midwest short-track coverage. For other tracks in the Wisconsin/Minnesota short-track scene, see Elko Speedway, Thunder Hill (The Hill Raceway), and Luxemburg Speedway (Luxy Raceway).