Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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September 28, 2016 – It is with great disappointment that the promoters of the Iowa State Fair Speedway (ISFS) announced today the discontinuation of racing at the speedway for the foreseeable future. The surprising news was delivered recently by Gary Slater, CEO of the Iowa State Fair in a private meeting. The Iowa State Fair Speedway has been an important part of the Midwest racing roots and Des Moines for decades. The decision came as a shock not only to the race promoters but racers and fans alike certainly in light of the announcement made by Gary Slater at the ISFS Awards Banquet last fall where he made a public promise that “there would be racing at ISFS for many years to come”. As described in the private meeting, there are no plans currently in place to rebuild the track and there is no expectation that racing will become a part of the Fairgrounds in the future.

“This came as a total shock and huge disappointment given our multi-year contract,” Tony Moro, promoter of the ISFS said. “My partners, Eric Lundstrom and John Pat Dorrian and I have made a significant personal investment of time and money to make the Iowa State Fair Speedway a competitive, entertaining and family friendly venue for all. We want to thank everyone for your support and participation and we are sorry we won’t have the opportunity to continue in this historic venue.”

The Iowa State Fair Speedway website (isfspeedway.com) will continue to be active and available for information and updates

will rising cost 305 racing in the mid west ever be the same?

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

It's all about the MONEY, the races don't bring in the revenue that they did years ago - the concerts are the big money makers during the State Fair. And with the other buildings that have been rebuilt into year round facilities they don't need the income from the Friday night races.

I have heard that distant plans call for the possibile construction of a smaller track located west of the current track, with the straight aways running north and south, (I won't hold My breath).

I hate to see the current track go - going to lose a lot of history - but it's the way things are going around the country at the state fair tracks. 

I wonder how many State Fair tracks are still holding races?  Guessing less than a half dozen?

Just in the last few years I know Oklahoma and New York shut down.

I am sure that Emory Collins,  Gus Schrader, Hector Honore, Jerry Richert and Jerry Blundy and countless others of a bygone era at Des Moines are kicking the lids off their coffins.

sad to say but it is a trend that will continue. dirt track racing at some venues is no longer profitable. hate to lose a couple tracks every year.

GARBAGE!

hate this for the promoters after all time and money put into it and seemed they were drawing large field of racesaver sprints. hope race teams can find another place to race.

This is not good for racing in general , fair racing or at these facilities is a great way to get people interested in auto racing . But having any racing at a fair during the fair is even better . This is a sad day for Iowa and for racing fans in Iowa , that another track chooses not to have racing at a track with much history . I say write to your senators , governor and to all that may wake up these people behind closing this venue .

http://www.kcci.com/sports/racing-discontinued-indefinitely-at-iowa-state-fair-speedway/41862306

According to KCCI, local Des Moines news stations, and Marketing Director for the ISF, in 2-3 years there will be a 3/8 track.

Keep It Real

funny that they didn't mention that in their initial press release?  It came from them to the media the first time.  Now that they are getting backlash they give this info.  Do they utilize the same PR department that Baylor Football uses?

I remember when the sprint cars/Super Midifieds ran at night. They would shine a major spot light on the winner of each heat. The Cars sparkled in the light.  Ralph Zarnos American Legion post band would be playing "the Iowa Corn Song". The colorful neon lights of the midway rides just off turns 1-2. Especially the dual double faris wheel.

Great announcing. They made a spectical out of it.

The Hawkeye Futurity was always a great sunday afternoon sprint car race. I saw my greatest race ever about 1967 between Jerry Blundy and Jim Moughan. I enjoyed the beauty and art of dry slick racing. You had to be a driver.

I feel sad for those who never had a chance to experience it. Duqouin at night has similarities but not the same.

Such a historic place and so usable.

It was great fun to look at the cars that lined the pit road on open trailers. You would see famous cars you only got to see in Speed Sport on a Friday. Talk to the drivers.

A concert amplitheater could be built into the hills on the grounds and used year round.

I used to really enjoy going there on Friday's. Lots of exciting racing through the years, and fun memories.

Marshalltown is always a good show on Friday's too. Maybe this will help give them a boost as well.

Yeah, it does sound similar except that the OK State Fair track got bulldozed and something built on top of it I think.   If they're not doing something like that at this track then maybe there is future hope?   

Yeah, OKC is a parking lot now.  I drive by it almost every day.  Like you said hopefully they won't tear ISFS down.  I never got a chance to go to a race there.

Sounds like the plans for the race track ground includes expanding the Mid-Way (they probably think that since next year instead of using one company to provide the mid-way rides they're going to open it up to anyone that has a ride - HMMMM MORE MONEY). Constructing a new stage for the concerts - that they can use during the summer for more shows (HMM Again MORE MONEY) and whatever is left over for additional parking (Hmm MORE MONEY - during the State Fair they charge $10 per car).

The Fair Board is about the MONEY, 

Each person from the Fair gives you a different answer. One answer was a new track with "some sort" of motorsports is in the future plans. Another said no plans for a new track. Another said 2019. I would say finding a person that knows something would be helpful. But at the same time the President stood up in front of the awards banquet and said there is no plans to close down racing at the State Fairgrounds in the future at all. Obviously that was a lie. So i would think noone there can give you the correct answer because well lets face it they all have a different plan. The worst part is even though we quit racing it was one of my favorite tracks to race at because of history. Like Knoxville or Eldora or Williams Grove history plays a large part of racing in General. Its a sad day, but it appears its out of peoples control. 

Scumbag Slater racing hater!