CRANDON, Wis. – Crandon Int’l Raceway management has announced that the historic facility and all its assets have been purchased by business owner and Crandon native Jamey Flannery.

The 400-plus acre track located in the picturesque Northwoods of Wisconsin has hosted the largest off-road races in the sport since opening in 1984.

Details of the historic purchase have been finalized and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021. The new agreement will also operate the track as a business venture, replacing the current non-profit club structure in operation since the Crandon races began in 1970.

Flannery is the owner of several businesses including Flannery Contracting, Flannery Trucking, Jamey Flannery Trucking and soon Flannery Recycling. He is also a champion at Crandon, winning the 1998 Crandon Governor’s Cup in four-wheel drive Chevy truck.

Crandon Int’l Raceway is comprised of a 1.75-mile short-course off-road track, more than 2,100 designated grass camping sites, a modern grandstand and a hospitality facility, a designated off-road park, corporate hospitality suites, a trap range and a VIP center and office at the location’s original barn.

The track plays host to two major race events each year, including June’s Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run and Labor Day’s massive Polaris World Championship Off-Road Races and Crandon World Cup – an event which saw a record crowd of more than 70,000 people at its 50th anniversary running in 2019.

Both the new Champ Off-Road and Ultra4 series are scheduled to run at the track as part of their 2021 race seasons.

The next step in its evolution also provides the chance for Crandon’s longstanding Board of Directors to enjoy more time with family and a well-deserved retirement from the facility’s day-to-day operation.

Led by club President and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee Cliff Flannery, these people have devoted decades of service to build the track and keep it maintained, while also staying true to the club’s cornerstone mission of donating tens of thousands of dollars back to the local community. Each year hundreds of volunteers earn these charitable donations by helping in all phases of track operation during race weekends.

Keeping the Crandon International Raceway tradition part of the family, Jamey’s Flannery’s father was the late Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame honoree and track champion Jack Flannery, while Cliff Flannery is Jamey’s uncle.

“This racetrack has been such a positive influence on the entire Flannery family and also in the lives of so many people,” said Jamey Flannery, who also currently races in the Champ Off-Road series unlimited Pro 4 category. “It’s an honor for me to be in a position to help extend that history and expand Crandon’s status as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway of the off-road world. We can’t wait to get started on getting ready for the 2021 season.”

“While this announcement will come as a surprise to many, the fact is that life is always all about timing,” explained Cliff Flannery. “The entire community and our hard-working staff of volunteers and crew have spent the better part of our lives building Crandon International literally by hand. After 50 years we knew the time had come to transfer that dedication to something much bigger for the future. All of us old guys will still be spending time here, but we are really excited for seeing what happens to this special place moving forward.”

Much of the focus moving forward will be on enhancing the camping and hospitality aspects at the track, along with expanding Crandon’s operation to its  fan base of adventure and outdoor enthusiasts.

Crandon Office Manager Tina Kulaf will remain in her role of managing the track’s business operation, while current Promoter Marty Fiolka and his TRG Rennsport group will continue their roles in event promotion, sponsorship, marketing, content and public relations.

“All too often change can be an anchor and sometimes the end of time-honored tradition,” added Jamey Flannery. “We will be finalizing and sharing plans in the coming months, but rest assured they will not dilute so many of the great aspects of our legendary Crandon Experience. Despite our new direction, for us the past will always share equal balance with the future. We know what makes Crandon so special for so many people, and our job will be to keeping polishing the diamond created by his community and especially the club’s Board of Directors.”