08/27/2025
Eight years ago, I created the Bullring Nationals with a simple goal: to give kart racers in the Upper Midwest a premier, must-attend event. That first year, we had fewer than 40 entries and handed out trophies to a small but passionate group of competitors.
In 2019, thanks to a great suggestion from Kirk Weber, we introduced a WWE-style championship belt—an idea that instantly elevated the race’s prestige. From that point forward, the Bullring Nationals became one of the crown jewel events in the region, drawing top talent and growing every year. By 2024, we had 126 entries from across the Midwest, a packed facility, and a full livestream broadcast on YouTube. It was clear the event had become much more than just another race.
This growth didn’t happen by accident. It took years of dedication, personal investment, and promotion across the country to build the Bullring Nationals into what it is today.
Due to the event’s increasing size and scope, it had clearly outgrown the limitations of the Plessis Motor Speedway facility. Regardless of my position at Plessis, I had already begun planning to host the 9th edition of the Bullring Nationals at Kee Kart Speedway on September 27. Sponsors were lined up, awards totaling over $4,000 were ready to be ordered, and our team was excited to deliver the best version of the event yet.
Unfortunately, rather than come up with an original idea of their own, the current management at Plessis has decided to run an event under the Bullring Nationals name. Kee Kart Speedway, out of fear of ruffling too many feathers, decided to pull the September 27th date effectively preventing my team from putting on the race as intended.
To our committed sponsors and the racers who looked forward to competing for the belt again this year, I offer my sincere apologies. This situation has been incredibly disappointing.
There will be a race at Plessis on September 27th bearing the Bullring Nationals name—but make no mistake: it is a continuation in name only. None of the prestige and professionalism racers have come to expect will be present at that event.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Bullring Nationals over the years. It's the drivers and their race teams that made the Bullring Nationals the spectacle that it is. While this chapter may have taken an unexpected turn, the spirit of the race lives on—and we’re not done yet.
— Michael Stofferan
Racing track
