Kevin Ramsell/American Speed Association PR
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Wednesday, December 29, 2010) - As the checkered flag is about to fall on 2010, the green flag will quickly wave on 2011. Many ASA Member Tracks and Series promoters are already looking forward to the new year.
Recently, ASA asked some of their promoters if they have any resolutions or thoughts for for their tracks and/or series in the new year. Here is what we received.
Joe Graziano Co-Owner of Dells Raceway Park, an ASA Member Track in Wisconsin Dells, WI, has a simple resolution as he said, "Resolved that every resident of every racer's hometown will absolutely KNOW when and where said racer is racin!"
"We had a big turn around in 2010 and a lot of that had to do with becoming an ASA Member Track," Brad Allen, Promoter of Ace Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Altamahaw, NC said. "I learned a lot as my first year as the promoter and we had a successful season. But yet there was a lot we learned and look forward to improving and making things much better at Ace in 2011."
Mike Eames, the new General Manager of Rocky Mountain Raceways, an ASA Member Track in West Valley City, UT said, "I resolve to make through my first season as a promoter without needing intense psychotherapy."
When Steve Conduff, General Manager of Yakima Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Yakima, WA, was asked for their resolution, he had a simple answer. "It would have to be to keep an open mind to all new things," Conduff said.
Rob Angus, Director of Operations for the new ASA British Columbia Late Model Tour presented by advancetesting.ca, has a resolution where the momentum they gained since announcing the new partnership with ASA will continue in 2011. "The Buzz in BC is building! Who will be the first Canadian to win the ASA BC Late Model Tour presented by AdvanceTesting.ca. There has been nothing short of a huge positive response from the drivers, teams, car owners and sponsors in BC. We are looking forward to hopefully making the ASA BCLMT a great success in 2011."
George Wade, Promoter of Grays Harbor Raceway, an ASA Member Track in Elma, WA, had a simple resolution, "No Rain Outs!!!"
"We had a good year in 2010 and our numbers were up a little," Harold Crook, Promoter of Lonesome Pine Raceway, an ASA Member Track in Coeburn, VA said. "We are really looking forward to a 2011. We have some great ideas and a great group of competitors coming back to compete with us."
"All we ask for in 2011 is better weather," Al Varnadore, Co-Promoter of East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL said. "We had great car counts and great events in 2010, but we just need this weather to be a little more comfortable for our fans to come out and enjoy the racing with the Florida weather that they expect for the time of the year they are visiting."
"We resolve to keep our prices the same as what we had in 2010. I think our fans and competitors will appreciate this and bring more to the track," Adam Nelson, Promoter of Meridian Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Meridian, ID said. "Then you have those resolutions that never stick and for me that would be not to clean a toilet in 2011."
Steve Beitler, promoter of Skagit Speedway in Alger, WA resolves to a new way of thinking in 2011. "I learned some great business lessons in 2010. The tough economy forced me to be creative in my actions and thinking. I am really excited to implement some of the changes I have been working on for 2011," Beitler said. "I call it 'Retroactive Mainstream Marketing'... that means going back to basics and combining it with the new technologies we have available to us. The opportunities are abundant and just waiting for all of us to use them!"
Randy Claypoole, Promoter of ISCARS DASH Touring Series Sanctioned by ASA, resolves to a new start. "A new year can be like wiping the slate clean and getting a fresh start. Like beginning the next chapter. Thankful for the accomplishments of the past year and hopeful for what challenges can be faced and overcome during the next," Claypoole said. "I'd like to see ASA grow as a whole. We are a great family of tracks and series and I have enjoyed getting to learn more about each of them and pulling together for growth."
"We have a simple resolution for the ASA - Student Educational Series in 2011," Larry Pond, ASA - SES Executive Director said. "That is for every interested student to get an opportunity to be a part of a race team at one of our ASA Member Tracks that are part of the program along with receiving a scholarship towards Ohio Technical College."
Andy Alberding, President and 2010 ASA Northwest Sprint Car Racing Association Sprint Car Series said, "To get more fans to see that the ASA NSRA Series puts on some of the fastest and exciting racing in the Northwest."
Bill Rohzon, Promoter of Havasu 95 Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Lake Havasu City, AZ said, "We want our drivers to forgive their enemies and start this new year with a clean slate, have fun, and drive fast and take chances! We also hope to have our drag strip up and running next year! We're saddened to see all the west coast tracks closing and we hope they can reopen soon."
"Just to make it through another year and pay all of the bills," was what John Sarppraicone, Promoter of Desoto Super Speedway an ASA Member Track in Bradenton, FL said.
"The Wilmot Raceway looks forward to a third year racing under the ASA banner," Joe Roe, Wilmot (WI) Raceway Co-Promoter & nine time ASA IRA Outlaw Sprint Champion said. "We definitely believe having Wilmot Raceway associated with ASA as a professional positive."
"For 2011, we hope to see continued growth of our ASA Truck Series, the same great family of drivers return along with all of the new drivers that have shown interest to make another successful season," Todd & Lisa McLauchlan, Promoters of the ASA Truck Series said. "Have a safe and Happy New Year!"
"We hope to have good year at MIS," Dave Grueneberg, Promoter of Madison International Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Oregon, WI said. "We will have our weekly traditional Friday night shows and hope with some new special events that it will bring more people from the Madison area out to see some great racing action on Wisconsin's Fastest Half-Mile oval."
"First, we hope to see the ASA family continue grow and be successful," Tim Olson, ASA Midwest Tour President said. "In 2011, we want to provide some of the best competitive racing in the Midwest where many of our competitors have a chance to win and do well in the point standings. That our races are so competitive that the fans and their families who come and see our events will be entertained and come to more. We also want to continue to provide the best racing to benefit our sponsors who support our series. With us working with ASA, our competitors, tracks and sponsors we all will continue thrive."
Finally, ASA President Dennis Huth shares his 2011 resolution. "During these difficult times that we all share, the New Year will allow us to look at new ideas and be creative in this industry. ASA will continue to help make short track racing one of the best forms of entertainment for the entire family. We are going in the right direction with our solid group of ASA Member Tracks and Series. Our promoters are working with each other to help to continue to grow and be successful. We will continue to highlight their efforts on a national level."
Everyone at the American Speed Association from their staff, member tracks and series would like to with you a happy and safe new year. Make a resolution to visit an ASA Member Track and an ASA Sanctioned Series event in 2011.