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The late Jeff Hinkemeyer in 2009 (Shawn Swanstrom Photo)

Challenge Series stop at Viking is dubbed the Jeff Hinkemeyer Memorial to honor eight-time Late Model champion who died in April

ST. CLOUD - This year’s WISSOTA Challenge Series visit to Viking Speedway has now officially been titled the inaugural Jeff Hinkemeyer Memorial, honoring the eight-time Viking Speedway track champion who passed away on April 26 at the age of 67.

Hinkemeyer won 21 track titles, including those eight at Viking. He also won titles at Cedar Lake Speedway, Proctor Speedway, Hibbing Raceway, at the tracks in St. Cloud and in Fergus Falls, and is also a former NASCAR Winston Racing Great Northern Champion.

Among his prestigious titles won during his career, he was a two-time Silver 1000 winner, went to victory lane at the Thunderbird Open and the Labor Day Shootout, and also accumulated several hundred feature victories during his 30-year racing career.

Hinkemeyer, who raced to an incredible 33 wins during his stellar 1981 season, was inducted into the Viking Speedway Hall of Fame, as well as the Gondik Law Speedway, Hibbing Raceway and Proctor Speedway Hall of Fames.

The 2026 edition of the event will pay an increased $4,013 to win, celebrating Hinkemeyer’s famous No. 13 car number, along with the No. 4F car he drove for Joe and Scott Salner, with which he won so many races during the second half of his career. He retired from racing in 2011.

Jeff Hinkemeyer in 2010 (Chad Spieker Photo)

“The No. 4F Late Model is one of the most iconic cars to ever circle the high flyin’ half mile, therefore the Viking Speedway board of directors and Hall of Fame members are honored to be able to hold the Jeff Hinkemeyer Memorial at Viking,” Viking Speedway promoter Jeff Crouse said. “Jeff called Viking his home track for many years and was inducted into the Viking Speedway Hall of Fame in 2013. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and we will never forget the No. 4F!”

The event night sponsor is Winning Edge Graphics and the memorial is also being supported by Cory Oberg Real Estate, FYE Motorsports Promotions and Joe Provo Racewear.

Anyone interested in getting involved in supporting this event, please reach out to Challenge Series Director Chris Stepan at (715) 497-8916. Donations will be accepted until race time at @fyemotorsports as well.

For tickets and more details: www.VikingSpeedwayMN.com.