[MissyB77]

I heard a rumor (it's not for sure) that Jim Leasure is comming back next year. Has anyone else heard this? Does someone know the answer? Well tell me what you know!!!!!
_________________
~Missy B.~

[Big Ed]

Well, it's not a rumor, it's a FACT!!!!

Jim, AND Bill Lackey WILL be back at the helm in 2007, as a matter of fact, they are there right now!!!!

Some of you will feel like I do and be very happy to welcome them back, and after all the post and comments in the middle of the season last year, it's obvious, there will be some of you that don't like this.

It was very tough last year watching what happened happen, and not comment on it, and continue to march forward for the better good of our speedway and our sport. I loved working with Donna and Gary, they really did make the transition a little easier for us employees that were caught in the middle of the changes last season. It wasn't easy for any of us by any means, and no one ever heard a bad word from any of us, about Paul, Jim, Donna, Gary, or anyone that was involved in our mini soap opera. It is no secret that Paul's health has declined, and the bottom line is, and has, and always WILL be that they are FAMILY!!! First and foremost, and that is exactly how everyone should see it. Jim cares very deeply for Paul, and will do everything in his power to honor him, and keep Spartan Speedway alive and well for many years to come.

It's YOUR choice to decide whether you want to be part of the Family that continues to keep Paul's dream alive, and see Spartan into the future, or choose to work against it. I know what I'm going to do!!!!

There will be some dates coming soon for division meetings. Jim and Bill do not feel there will be mass changes, but some critiquing, in a division or two. Just like about every other short track in the state, Super's will NOT run every Friday night. There will be some Specials they are part of, and they are looking at a different kind of Late Model class that is more affordable for all. There will be post here soon on that subject, and a meeting also. No details at this time, but it is being discussed, and when dates are certain, it will be posted here.

Jim asked me to post this before rumors started raging rampant. So there you go!!! Post your questions and comments, we'll answer everything as best as we can!!!

Big Ed Inloes

[Russ Potter]

Welcome back Jim and Bill. Bill, does this mean you will not be running the car?

[Dennis ONeil]

Hi everyone,
Knowing that opinions are like ideas, everyone has one, I might as well share mine.
1. Rule changes lower car counts.
2. Lower car counts make lower fan counts.
3. Lower fan counts mean less money.
4. The policies that were in place at the begining of the 2006 seasons did not work.
5. When the supers came back, so did the fans.
6. Hopefully everyone learned something in 2006.
Good luck to all of the Spartan family.
_________________
Thanks
Dennis ONeil
www.oneilsauto.com

"A MIND IS LIKE A PARACHUTE.............WORKS BETTER WHEN OPEN"

[silcoxb]

Well good, now that's out of the way, let's get geared up for next season.
Just a couple of questions first. Will Springport be open this season? What kind of schedule will the pure's be running.
I agree no major rule changes. A little tweaking is fine, but no major changes.
Welcome home Jim and Bill.

[queenbee]

Well, WELCOME back Jim and Bill.

As Big Ed put it - it was fun to work with Gary and Donna and it was an interesting year....but...I for one am very happy to see Jim coming back as well as Bill.

Dennis - I understand what you were saying on your post and I do love the Late Models but honestly, I'm not sure what track you were seeing "all" the fans. The increase of fans was really not as great as I thought it would be. Not to get into particulars or anything but it just didn't work in 2006 with having them. I think with them coming aboard as "special shows" will put an awesome perspective/respect for that class. I've always thought that the Super/Late Models were a special breed and with having them once in awhile will make them special again.

Again, welcome aboard Jim and Bill....

See yea soon

Caroline

[Drake Racing 14 28]

so with jim and bill being back does this mean that gary will not be part of the spartan plans in 07'? well other than that welcome back jim and bill

[Bardenracing42]

I am glad to welcome both Jim and Bill back. I am looking forward to working with both in you in some capacity (track crew, driver, etc). I am sure there are some that don't feel the same way, but I beg of you; let bygones be bygones and do your part to make this thing work. If we all get into a big ol' P***ing match, nobody wins.

[nascar1424]

well I'm sorry to hear that jim and bill are back I was looking forward to seeing what was going to happen this year now I will just wait and see how long it takes them to run Spartan in the ground and sell it off

[Racedog2000]

I just don't really understand how last year did not work with the supers, Paul gave us an amount of money he could spend on the purse and we worked with that. The crowd came back from around 300 to 400 to around 1200 to 1500 just a guess on the numbers but that is what it looked like I know before the Supers where there you could of shot a cannon into the stands and not hit a single person. From what i have heard the new late model class is going to try and be like the Dixie Pro late models with template or outlaw bodies with steel head motors (just what i heard) I dont know how many cars there getting but they run fridays also, so there goes most of the car unless Jim and Bill plan on paying more then Dixie to draw the cars. How much will it cost to pay out this new class I'm sure not to much less then the Supers it only cost 7645.00 for the feature and by the looks of the crowd they had to make that all up or pretty close along with on average every Super team bring atleast 3 to 4 people with them. Im sure some of the Super drivers would atleast talk to Jim and Bill about running weekly for a set purse like they plan to pay this "New late Model" class. I just don't think it is right to say to the Supers your out and the "New Late Model" class is in I would atleast make an offer to the Supers to run weekly I just don't understand how they think the new class will cut cost. I would also think the first few years of the new late model class would have a very low car count atleast with the Supers you have cars that are going to show up.
One last point I know some are saying that the crowds did not come back strong enought at the end of the year with the Supers, but did you ever think that maybe everyone did not hear that they where back because all winter and half of the year they where told Supers will not be running weekly!!!!!

[superlover]

Well I wish I could welcome them back, amybe a few weeks into the season.
But I was thinking that maybe on their mandatory vacation the realized that they messed up. Maybe the grew a little smarter on running a track, at least I hope.It is a full time job 40 hrs a week or more but they need to be more concerned about hte RACERS and FANS than making their pockets thicker. Paul did it for so many years not having anyone say a bad thing about him,They started right out upsetting people, but maybe they Became MEN and not two little boys playing mean i the sandbox.AS far as I am concerned they are the worst tandem in track management in the state.Fans were coming back and drivers were enjoying being at the track.DOES this mean POINT money is gone again, SLO-PROS will be a weekly show(BAD IDEA)?They need to go wiht the way GARY was going to keep the cost down 2 tires and the impound(GREAT IDEA), saved money few hundred a night.There ARE a lot of people UPSET with the news and I don't blame any one one bit.There may be some adjustments that need to be done but Supers on a limited schedule not a good idea.FANS love the supers. PUt the SLO-PROS on a limited schedule 5 or 6 nights. Change the mods(UMP or USA mod rules)2 tires a night.Make the street stocks back to street stocks not limiteds. You get rid of supers and add pure stocks, and figure eight ponys). Not what people want to watch, they come to tracks for speed and high speed crashes(hated to say it but its true).Sell the two seater and trailer.
I just hope that they prove me and everyone else in the state wrong.

Thanks to the Fedewas for starting the track on its way to recovery,you truly were family and good for the track.

[schinde]

Last time I checked, SuperPro is a traveling series.

Could be wrong, but that's what I noted about their schedule last year.

RACE # 1 – SPRINGPORT MOTOR SPEEDWAY - MAY 20

RACE #2 – AUTO CITY SPEEDWAY – MAY 27

RACE #3 – BAER FIELD SPEEDWAY – JUNE 3

RACE #4 – SPARTAN SPEEDWAY – JUNE 18

RACE #5 – AUTO CITY SPEEDWAY – JULY 3

RACE #6 – SPRINGPORT MOTOR SPEEDWAY – JULY 8

RACE #7 – SPARTAN SPEEDWAY – JULY 23

RACE #8 – BAER FIELD SPEEDWAY – AUGUST 3

RACE #9 – ANGOLA MOTOR SPEEDWAY – AUGUST 12

RACE #10 – AUTO CITY SPEEDWAY – SEPTEMBER 1

RACE #11 – BAER FIELD SPEEDWAY – SEPTEMBER 16

Don't know what is in the plans for this year, but somehow I don't see it changing.

have a good day,

schinde
_________________
Short track racing is more fun than a human being ought to be allowed to have!

[Jim Leasure]

Message to Spartan Late Models! Here is the situation, what is the solution? Spartan can ill afford a weekly Late Model show. The Lates are a big part of Spartan and are a favorite of the race fans. Race tracks all over the state have had to become creative in order to run Lates at all. It is possible for Spartan to do the same but we will need to look at some options and ways to make it affordable for Spartan to run lates and also how often. We are open for suggestions. If you want a place to race on Fridays talk about it and bring some ideas to the table if you have interest.

[Mopar93]

Jim Leasure called me this morning and I had a rather nice chat with him. We talked mostly about the track.

Paul is not feeling well and at his age it is getting harder and harder to do all the things that is needed in order to properly run the track(s). Paul doesn't want Springport any more, he's told me that personally. He would like to sell it to someone who can make a go of it. But he also doesn't want to give it away.

Paul still owns Spartan Speedway, but he needs someone to help run the place. Gary and Donna were doing great and filled in very well to help Paul out. I haven't talked to Gary or Donna in several weeks, but I gather the job required much more time than they could devote.

Jim Leasure wants to make a go of it, but during our conversation, he was sounding like he doesn't want it to become a burden or to have people against him. He as much said that if it wasn't going to be fun for everyone including himself, his family, Paul, and the entire Spartan Speedway community, the track might as well not even run next year.

This is not what you racers want to hear. You all want to go racing and you all want Spartan Speedway to flourish next year.

What I'm saying is give Jim a chance. Let him continue with the momentuum that everyone was building this past summer. If everyone pitches in, it will work.

Help Jim and keep Paul's spirits in good shape.

-Maurice

[governor72]

It sure seems like some from the SLM side are speaking their thoughts. It would seem to be more productive to try and come up with some productive suggestions, rather than just come one here and bash someone.

Not saying that you have to like, or agree with everyone, but without suggestions on ways to solve an issue, nothing will happen except hard feelings.

I will say to Jim & Bill, an old business saying that has been around for years.

Business goes were it is invited and stays were it is cared for.

With that said, please invite the business back and take care of those who make up the business.

I know some of us on the modified side plan on working with Jim & Bill to make sure that what we have will continue to work, even if it means some change.

The, Governor - Dan Loughan