Idaho Racing News

By Jon P. Brown
IRN editor
After a 2009 season that saw impressive attendance and racing, operators intend to keep the fans coming back with new action and fantastic aesthetics.
“We were excited about 2009. We’re real excited about 2010,” managing partner Adam Nelson said.
Nelson handles the day-to-day operations of the historic 59-year-old quarter-mile paved oval, which is an ASA member track. He and investing partners Don Newman and Al Russell took over the track shortly before the start of the 2009 season.
There have been additions on and off the track during the off-season, including the track itself.
Newman financed the first complete re-paving of the track since the early 1960s, donating the capital for the project in memory of his son, Jeffery, who passed away in October 2008 at the age of 53.
“The improvements were much needed and should have been done years ago, and for some reason they weren’t,” Don Newman said. “So we’re lucky contributors.
“We’re excited about the surface, and so is everybody else.”
Nelson said fans are guaranteed to see records fall when they come out for the dual season openers. That’s because the record books are being reset now that there is a new configuration. Previous records will stand in perpetuity, he said.
The April 17 season opener features the NAPA Latemodel Sportsman — a new class stemming from the merger of the Super Stock and Late Model rulebooks — the ESI Express ASA Modifieds, the Project Filter Pro-4s (formerly Late Model Lites), CWI Professional Truck Driving School Street Stocks and Tates Hornets.
On April 24, the open-wheelers get in on the season-opening action with the Mtn. Dew Winged Sprintcars, Pepsi Sprintcars (known as the Non-Winged Sprints last year), Domino’s Pizza Legends and Mini Stocks.
Gate prices remain unchanged, Nelson said, with race-night admission starting at $10 most nights and topping out at $15 for special events such as the season-ending Sept. 17-18 show that marks the return of USAC sprintcars to the speedway. The typical discounts for military personnel and senior citizens ($2.50 off the general admission price) and children ages 7-11 ($4 off) remain in place, and children 6 and younger get in free as always.
Season passes for the 29-race schedule also are now available through the speedway office — $239 for adults, $185 for senior citizens and military personnel and $152 for children 7-11.
Like last year, advance tickets will be available at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores in the Treasure Valley.
Nelson said that the YMC Heating and Cooling Press Box Suite, which can be reserved for parties during race night, has been in high demand from racetrack sponsors. The remaining dates for which the suite will be available in 2010 will be released in the coming weeks, he said.
No matter where they’re sitting, fans will see a revamped facility with many new features.
Work continues on the construction of a 600-square-foot pit area restroom building that replaces the row of Port-a-Potties.
The new racing surface will get more illumination, too, as new stadium lighting has been added to Turns 1 and 2 to go with the similar upgrades that were made at the track last season and finish a complete overhaul of the lighting system.
New pavement has been laid on the midway, which is the first things folks walk on when they come through the main gate.
Other planned improvements before the green flag drops on the season include revamping the south end restrooms and handicapped seating section.
“There has been substantial investment from the partnership to keep making improvements,” Nelson said. “We’ve continued (the improvement projects) because we were excited from the response from the fans and drivers.”
The fans and drivers aren’t the only ones who have given rave reviews on the direction in which the track is heading.
“The sponsors’ response has been great,” Nelson said, adding there have been several renewals. “We’re excited to bring on some new ones. That’s an indication of how well last year went.”