|
|
FW: 2010 MMSHoF inductees announced-----Original Message----- From: Allan Brown <speedways@comcast.net> Sent: Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:44:34 Pacific Daylight T... READMORE |
Paul McMahan takes WoO win at Eldora Paul McMahan had racked up six Top-Five finishes in his last eight starts heading into the finale of Outlaw Thunder by Goodye... READMORE |
New Paris braves cold, Thirteen Feature No doubt about it, the weather was cold with temperatures in the low 40's and a stiff wind swirling through the 1/4 mile spee... READMORE |
Galesburg Speedway Red Flagged The Galesburg Speedway did not open last weekend as scheduled and it’s unlikely the race track will open this Saturday becau... READMORE |
Ron Flinn Hospitalized Reports out of Crystal Motor Speedway this morning are that Ron Flinn has been hospitalized due to a coronary issue. Accordi... READMORE |
Action to begin at Spartan SpeedwayIf the grandstands along the front stretch of Spartan Speedway look a bit higher than normal, well, they are. The speedway p... READMORE |
Auto City postpones due to Cold Although the weather was picture-perfect for testing on Thursday afternoon, Mother Nature brought us cold and windy condition... READMORE |
|
Merle Holden, promoter and owner of Mottville, stressed ‘cautious optimism’ in regards to the 2009 season at the speedway. Holden said the economy could have an effect on the track this season, but said he had plans to help bring people to the speedway.
“I am trying to get a lot of mini stocks and a lot of mini thunder cars,” Holden said. “I think the more cars you got the better chance you have of getting better fans in the stands. With the money we are paying, we will definitely get the fastest mini stocks by far, and I think that will help bring in fans” he added.
Mini stock cars are the focus for the 2009 season at the Mottville Speedway, which is now in its 19th season under Holden. The payout for mini stocks is going to bring a higher level of competition among the drivers, which will ultimately benefit the fans, Holden said.
“Mini Stocks are going to be the premiere class,” Holden said. “They are going to get paid extremely well.”
In fact, though it has not been officially announced yet, Holden said MottvilleSpeedway has some big plans involving a few special races this season. According to Holden, there will be four races with large payouts, including one on Memorial Day and Labor Day. Each of these races will have a larger payoff than the last.
Another thing that Holden is doing to be more fan-friendly this season is starting the races earlier than most. Races will begin at around 5 p.m. and continue for around two and a half hours.
“We are going to keep operation on the short side so (fans) don’t have to worry about getting home at midnight so if they want to go to church the next morning they will be in good shape to do it,” Holden said.
Holden grew up on a race track. His father promoted race tracks mostly in Ohio. Holden worked in concession stands and worked on tracks while he was younger. When he got older, Holden owned and drove racecars. Then, in 1990, he bought Mottville Speedway and has owned it longer than anyone else in the history of the speedway.
Some things about Holden might not surprise people. For instance, Dale Jarrett is his favorite racing person. He has also worked for Nationwide Insurance for 36 years.
One thing about Holden, however, may come as a surprise.
“I am a pastor of a church north of Ft Wayne. I drive 65 miles one way to church.”said Holden, who Lives in Nappanee, Ind.
The pastor does not know how the 2009 season will go, and has chosen to be cautiously optimistic about it. Holden said he had put his speedway in a position, though, to be one of the most competitive racetracks in Michigan.
“The chance of doing well in this economy is probably better here at Mottville than any other race track around.”
dgo
