After more than a decade away from the roar of the engines and the smell of burning rubber, local racing fan favorite Andy Kluck is strapping back into the driver’s seat for a full season at Wisconsin International Raceway (WIR).
Racing under the banner of the Fox River Racing Club’s weekly Thursday night series, Kluck’s return marks the end of a 14-year hiatus—and the beginning of a brand new chapter behind the wheel of the #16 Pro Late Model.
A longtime resident of the Fox Valley, Kluck last raced competitively on September 1, 2011. This year, he returns with a renewed passion, a powerhouse pit crew, and the full support of a robust sponsor lineup—including Grand Chute Gazette, which is proud to help bring this hometown story full circle.
“Back in 2011, we had been going hard at it for 13 years, and honestly, working on the racecar started to feel more like a chore than the passion it used to be,” Kluck explained. “It felt like the right time to step away. But now, the stars kind of aligned again—an opportunity came up, and suddenly the spark was back. It just felt right to give it another go.”
Perhaps no one is more excited than Andy’s daughter, who has grown up hearing stories of her dad’s on-track adventures—stories that predate her birth. “She’s been one of my biggest motivators,” Andy shared. “She’s heard all the racing stories, but now she gets to see it for herself. That means a lot to me.”
The #16 machine won’t hit the track alone. Andy is backed by a dedicated pit crew that’s been hard at work preparing for the season. Together, they’ve been fine-tuning the car and gearing up for Tech Day on May 10th ahead of opening night.
In addition to the Grand Chute Gazette, Kluck’s return is supported by an impressive list of local Grand Chute businesses that have stepped up to get him back on track, including:
- Roll With It Dumpster Rental and Landscaping
- Apple Valley Pancake House
- A Smooth Move
- PKR Powersports
- Davel Engineering & Environmental
- Master Spas of Wisconsin
- Kolosso Toyota
- The Stoneyard Food and Spirits
- Hoofer Grafix
- Thad’s Don’t Run With Scissors Sharpening Service and Shears
“We’ve got a great group of sponsors behind us this year, and I really appreciate their support,” Kluck said. “We’re ready to get to work, put the #16 on the track, and have some fun on Thursday nights at WIR.”
Follow the team’s season and stay up to date online at www.kluckracing.com
