push for a track here?

[smooth_358]

Looks like its actually getting somewhere for a change. perhaps this will turn into something. sign the petition, perhaps it will get somewhere?

http://minnesotaspeedwaypark.com/

[Eric N.]

We can only hope.

[MR.hp]

I would think that in this economy some city some place would want my money if we want to race. Look at the dough that Porky's raked in on the weekends. Bulid a track with a great food place and some where for people to stay and we will be there.

Just like field of dreams, Build it and they will come.

[kelly andersen]

I'm sure its the same elko deal, never gonna happen,but I like the way they use Don Schumachers name on it LOL People already raise enough hell over the noise down there,they sure arent gonna put up with this one.

[smooth_358]

one can only hope. I'm just hoping for a track that isn't and hour + away

[98 cobra s/c]

They will never build another, they think brainerd is enuf. I have never been to brainerd and do not plan on a visit. I like the rock.

[Z28SSMAN]

This track is near my old home town area. Paducah dragstrip was the first 1/4 mi dragstrip I went to back in '68. The town has a population of about 25,000.. They shut the dragstrip down, then Earnhardt and Schrader jumped in and at least got racing back in the area.

I heard they are planning on expanding to more of a motorplex type facility due to the interest in motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr, Ken Schrader and others are willing to invest in a small town market but the twin city area can't seem to find support for a track due to politics.

Administrator
LocationSt. Charles, MOPosts37,096
New Owners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ken Schrader and Bob Sargent Announce PIR Sponsors!

New Owners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ken Schrader and Bob Sargent Announce Exciting 2006 Paducah International Raceway Slate and Major Sponsors!

By Jay Hardin

3/2/06-A massive overflow crowd of media members, local business and government leaders, racers and officials crowded the Amerihost Theatre in Metropolis, Illinois on Thursday, March 2 to witness a historic press conference featuring the new owners of the Paducah International Raceway and their announcement of major corporate sponsors of the facility, as well as an introduction to the 2006 PIR schedule.

NASCAR Nextel Cup Stars Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ken Schrader joined veteran promoter Bob Sargent of Track Enterprises on the dais Thursday after the three of them joined forces this winter to purchase the 3/8 mile dirt track located just across the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky. Earnhardt Jr., Schrader and Sargent were on hand to answer questions about their involvement in the track and to introduce two major sponsors of the facility.

Harrah's Entertainment, Incorporated, owner and operator of casino complexes across the nation including one in Metropolis thrilled the overflow crowd when Casino Marketing Manager Chad Barnhill announced that the Metropolis Casino and Hotel would be the lead corporate sponsor of PIR for the next two years, with the good possibility of increased involvement after the initial two year run. In addition, Paducah's local newspaper The Paducah Sun made a major commitment when they announced they would sponsor the media center at the Paducah track.

Earnhardt Jr., in his first venture as a race track owner operator, told the capacity crowd that "any venture that I get into with Kenny Schrader is a lot of fun, I've known him since I was a teenager and he was a real good friend of my father." "I really am intrigued by dirt track racing, especially the crate late models that are catching on around the country."

"I've enjoyed running at Kenny's other track and when he called me about this opportunity, it seemed like a good deal, not only to own a dirt track but to get to do a little racing as well." "I'm excited to be involved with Paducah International Raceway and glad to have Harrah's on board as a sponsor."

Schrader, the Fenton, Missouri native is well known and extremely popular with Midwest racing fans. He currently owns the I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri and echoed many of the same sentiments voiced by Dale Jr. "I am a Midwest guy, born and bred in St. Louis and some day I may move back to the Midwest", said Schrader. "I first ran at Paducah back here in 1980, and I've liked the place ever since." It's only 3 hours from home (St. Louis) and I really like the place and the people." "We've hired Jeff Bruhn whom I've known for a while to manage the track, and Bob, Dale and I will be involved in the operation of the facility." Schrader further said that not only would he be involved as an owner, but as an occasional competitor as well. "Dale Jr., I and Kenny Wallace are going to be here for the first NASCAR Night on April 14, and again on May 17, we will have a third one in August which will feature about a half dozen NASCAR guys running at Paducah."

Sargent, the veteran promoter who currently runs both mile dirt tracks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, voiced much optimism in taking over the Paducah facility. "We are working hard to make improvements to the physical facility, painting, redoing buildings and making more parking and we have more improvements planned to make the track more fan friendly", said Sargent. "We are really happy to have Harrah's and the Paducah Sun on board, and I am pleased to be able to do this with Kenny and Dale Jr." "We plan to be very involved in the local community as we grow Paducah International Raceway."

General manager Jeff Bruhn announced that the track had 33 weeks of racing planned in 2006, with events ranging from NASCAR Nights to special events for the United Midwestern Promoters Late Models to the weekly racing program. A number of fan friendly promotions are slated in 2006, including "Weiner Dog" races, kids events, spectator races and a series of motorcycle races.

Advance tickets for the first NASCAR Night April 14 go on sale at the track at 8 a.m. March 3 and can be obtained by calling 270-898-7469. PIR officially opens the 2006 racing season on Friday night, March 24 with it's first regular program. Additional information can be found at www.paducahinternationalraceway.com.

JIMMY DEARING

[98 cobra s/c]

Maybe it could be on casino land?

[Eric N.]

That's what I was thinking too. Also it seems that they have money coming out their butt. Seems to me that was brought up by the tribe that runs Mystic Lake a few (5+)years ago.

[98 cobra s/c]

With the sovereign land thing going, they could build one and say screw you to whatever city is nearby.

[kelly andersen]

They dont have enough land on the res. for it. 35 minutes south of the cities would pretty much put it on Elko's door step.

[MR.hp]

I know there was talk of a track just across the border in Iowa a couple of years ago but that fell apart when the people who wanted to do the project has no money backing.

[TwinTownTerror]

Looks like its actually getting somewhere for a change. perhaps this will turn into something. sign the petition, perhaps it will get somewhere?

http://minnesotaspeedwaypark.com/

Like the petition did for their try at Big Lake or the petition for their bid in Lino Lakes...

[Titan5]

Like the petition did for their try at Big Lake or the petition for their bid in Lino Lakes...

We should all be signing the petition anyway, even if we think it dosen't have a chance, just in case it really does, if there are no people signed up with interest to have and use a facility such as this, there would be no chance at all that it should be taken seriously.

Just my 2 cents?

:smile tease: T5

[smooth_358]

that and someone I know watched the city council meeting about this on tv. said he was bored. seemed like there was little to no opposition as there was up in big lake/lino at the meeting.

"On the flip side there was almost no public opposition. Two people got up and asked questions neither of which were hostile. The public officials as well didn't seem to be opposed to the project. So it would seem this would have a much higher chance of happening than the other proposal."