ELKHART LAKE – Visitors can enjoy fish fry and see some new wildlife at Road America when the 2026 season kicks off soon.
In addition to facility improvements — like a new restroom near Turn 12, a new tunnel screen at Gate 6 and four renovated VIP suites in the Finish Line Tower — fans can try a Sheboygan classic and see new wood carvings around the property.
Scenic Bar and Restaurant, 1635 Indiana Ave., joins local favorites like Parker John’s and Altoona Supper Club at a food stand this season. The Scenic Route is taking over the stand at Turn 3 from Antoinette’s Casual Dining.
Peter Moeller, who has owned the Scenic Bar & Restaurant for seven years, said the Road America stand will feature a smaller menu of many favorites at the Sheboygan restaurant, like fish fry, broasted chicken and macaroni and cheese, as well as racetrack fare, like hamburgers and brats.
Moeller said Scenic plans to carry over scratch cooking to the stand, including making its own ranch and house seasoning. The team doesn’t want to sacrifice the quality of food or service from the restaurant as it adjusts to meeting the demands of a faster environment and crowds, he said.
“At the restaurant, the chicken is cooked fresh to order every single time, and we’re going to do our darndest to make sure it’s not sitting around,” Moeller said. “But at the same time, there’s going to be waves where the broasters and fryers are just full for hours.”
During the pandemic, Moeller said Scenic Bar & Restaurant established some systems for an efficient to-go service, which will help them at the racetrack.
Visitors can start enjoying The Scenic Route this weekend at Road America’s first event of the 2026 season: the Spring Vintage Weekend with SVRA.
Look out for new wood carvings like Bucky Badger at Road America
Visitors may also notice new wood carvings, including a doe and fawn near Turn 12, a fox sitting on a race car tire, an oversized chipmunk, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s mascot, Bucky Badger, wearing a black-and-white checkered shirt that resembles a racing flag.
The carvings were done by Ben Buschke, chainsaw artist and owner of Buschke Carving. He has crafted wood carvings at Road America, many out of ash trees devastated by the emerald ash borer beetle, ahead of each racing season for the last four years.
Previous wood carvings include a swooping hawk, a family of bears peaking out of tree trunks and a bald eagle with an American flag.
“I just love going out there every year,” Buschke said.
Road America invited him to do a live carving at the INDYCAR Xpel Grand Prix race last summer, where he made about five smaller pieces as well as a trophy for the race winner.
Buschke is planning to return for live carvings at the track during the MotoAmerica Superbikes & Vintage MotoFest May 29-31 and the INDYCAR race weekend June 18-21. He may also bring along some pieces from his shop to sell.
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Visitors can find fish fry, Bucky Badger at Road America this season
Reporting by Alex Garner, Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
