Jim Tretow

Veteran motorsports broadcaster Jim Tretow brings enthusiasm and experience to The Racing Roundup as the shows main host.  The program began in 1985, with Tretow starting as a cub reporter in 1987, calling-in kart results, then doing live read commercials at America’s longest running weekly motorsports radio show held in front of a live audience.

Tretow quickly caught 'the racing bug' at an early age, as his cousin's dirt track sportsman car was parked in the front yard of his parent's home, adjacent to his father's service garage. Growing up within ear-shot of Hales Corners Speedway in his native Franklin, WI, watching his cousin race every Saturday night fueled his motivation to attend then participate in auto racing events.

At first, he was a tag-along to his older brother's karting events, never having the money to fund his own racing efforts. Soon, he was public address announcing kart events at Badger Raceway in Dousman, WI, which led to national PA stints with the World Karting Association at Daytona Int'l Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway on an annual basis.

Weekly Wisconsin short track PA gigs were next, as he spent 2 ½ years announcing at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, WI, then to his home turf, Hales Corners Speedway as a PA cohort and race reporter with the late Tom Klippel. In addition, Tretow built a reputation as a solid announcer at season-ending multi-division events and at World of Outlaw, USAC and other special event announcing.  Currently, he works as a PA announcer at Phoenix Int'l Raceway and Daytona Int’l Speedway for all the speedway’s major NASCAR event weekends.

Since 1996, Tretow has worked in front of the camera as a color analyst, play-by-play host and pit reporter for auto races airing on TNN and now SPEED TV for all of the televised ARCA RE/MAX Series events, something he truly enjoys.

He keeps the race fan's interest at heart, is a student of the sport and enjoys providing a forum for local racers and unique personalities in motorsports.  Tretow brings a thorough knowledge of many forms of motorsports to The Racing Round Up Show, and has a curious yet relaxed approach with show guests.

With the opportunity provided by The Racing Roundup Show starting in 1987, Tretow has gained an inside knowledge of the sport through research and press access to local and major motorsports events. His personal relationship with many area racers and drivers and crew members that have progressed to the highest levels of motorsports keep the show entertaining and insightful.

Tretow’s summer tradition is playing organized sand volleyball with his wife at least once a week while staying active chasing their two children around the yard.  And, of course, getting to as many short track events as possible.