Welcome to another addition of Hot Laps with Hot Rod.
First, we would like to send out our thoughts and prayers for those of you that are experiencing all the issues with rising floodwaters. Even though we have water at the track, which certainly pales in comparison to the devastation that a lot of you are experiencing. Please be safe and take care of your family and friends. The racing family is the most amazing group of people I have ever been a part of and we WILL get through this too. We'll be there for you.
On a brighter note (no pun intended), we have been experiencing MUCH better weather which is giving all of us the bug to get to the race track and enjoy our sport for another summer. This summer, those of us in the Sioux Falls region will get to enjoy it in our backyard and it is an honor to be a part of the resurrection of I-90 Speedway.
We continue to work very hard every day and into the night to make sure things are ready to go for the 2019 campaign. From working with local and regional businesses on marketing plans, general procedures with the operation of the track, facilities improvements, marketing, you name it, it's been a lot of hours spent, but it will all be worth it when we throw the green flag at the track for the first time in three years.
Speaking of marketing plans, we would like to welcome Mark Brenneman and Justice Fire and Safety as the title sponsor of our RaceSaver Sprint Car class. Justice Fire & Safety of Sioux Falls has 21 full-time and part-time employees with 100+ years of combined experience in the fire protection industry with NFPA, NAFED, & NICET certifications. Mark is a hometown Hartford guy and loves his sprint cars. Thank you Justice Fire and Safety for your investment in I-90 Speedway and the community of Hartford.
As we get closer to May 11, we will be taking delivery of our bleachers and install them shortly after. If you have not purchased your "Bleacher Backer" tickets, now is the time. We have made it very easy for you to get yours and it's "Go Time". We have added another retailer to help us get them sold. Thank you to Jeff Heppler and his family and crew at James Valley Landscape Solutions and Garden Center in Mitchell. James Valley joins The GOAT and Pizza Ranch of Hartford, Classic Convenience stores in Colton, Baltic and Madison, Dakota Express of Madison, The Corner Pub of Sioux Falls, Furby's Auto Repair in Sioux Falls, Frankman Motor Company Service Department in Sioux Falls and the service department at Cadillac of Sioux Falls. If you live outside these areas, it is easy to do on line as well. My wife Doreen is heading up the project and you can e-mail her at i90bleacherbackers@gmail.com and she will handle it from there. In the coming weeks, we will be starting to list the people and businesses that have purchased their chance at the Kawasaki Mule, valued near $13,000 from Interlake's Sports Center in Madison. Let's go!!!
PLEASE NOTE, we have a change in our 2019 race schedule. The line up of classes for June 1st and June 8th have switched. Because of scheduling conflicts beyond our control, the Ben Nothdurft Memorial race featuring the Tri-State Late Models will be held on June 8th and the MSTS 360 special will be moved to June 1st. Please make that note on your schedules. If you see a printed poster of the I-90 Speedway schedule in area businesses, those were printed prior to this change. Please pass the word that the shows on June 1st and June 8th have switch.
Many of you have asked about season tickets and single race tickets. Tickets for our 2019 Paramount Racing Series shows are $12 for adults, ages 13-18 are $6 and 12 and under are free. For our Tri-State Late Model Series and MSTS 360 Sprint Car Series shows, adults are $15, ages 13-18 are $10 and 12 and under are free. Season tickets are also available and we have set up a "Tax Break Special" on those. Season passes will be $175 until April 15th and $195 after that. For this discounted price, mail payment to: I-90 Speedway, 46068 South Dakota Highway 38, Hartford, SD 57033. This price is good for any sent payment postmarked on April 15th or before so don't delay. If you would like your passes mailed to you, please enclose a self address stamped envelope. We will also have them available at Will Call at the track box office. Season passes are the best value for fans and they make a great gift or an extra perk for your employees, customers or vendors.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 6th. The Red Rock Bar and Grill near Rowena, SD will be holding their annual car show in the parking lot and proceeds will benefit the Children's Home Society. I-90 Speedway and some of our drivers and I will be there to join in on the fun and help the cause. From noon to 2pm that day, a few of our drivers and I will be guest bartenders with all our tips going to the cause as well. I'll warn you right now, I'm no Tom Cruise from the movie "Cocktail", but I can sling 'em with the best of 'em. LOL More details on this event will be coming within the next couple weeks. Thank you to Mitch Runge and the staff at the Red Rock for the opportunity and for your work to promote racing, while supporting a great cause.
I think that's all I wanted to tell you during this episode, but I don't remember off the top of my head. Lately, I've been the mayor of "Brain Fizzle" so if I think of something, I'll certainly let you know.
For more information on anything concerning the upcoming season, follow along on our Facebook page at I-90 Speedway or our website at www.i90speedway.com
I'm out of time and I thank you for yours. God Bless!
Hot Rod
- Shawn Neisteadt on Mar 22, 2019
- Article Date: 3/22/2019