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PRESS RELEASE, PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY, PLACERVILLE, CA
FROM THE OFFICE OF JOHN PADJEN MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN: [email protected]
For the love of corn dogs; duo puts new spin on Placerville Speedways classic snack
PLACERVILLE, CA – For Ben Franklin it was the invention of electricity. For Alexander Graham Bell it was the telephone and for Placerville’s Jeff Shadden and Sammy Guedea it’s the Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar Cheese Corn Dog . Wait…who are these individuals and what the heck is a Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar Cheese Corn Dog anyway?
The answer is pretty simple, Shadden and Guedea are two of Placerville Speedway’s employees that work behind the scenes, preparing and cooking the many food items in the speedway food court each Saturday afternoon. Now, the duo has become renowned for Placerville Speedway’s latest version of the stick stuffed treat has been enjoyed nationwide by all ages since the early 1930’s .
So how did this latest reinvention of the corn dog come about? It was late one night after a race at Placerville Speedway when Guedea and Shadden were closing up the snack bar with track promoter Alan Padjen. While most track employees are thinking about heading home for the night, this trio was brainstorming in the kitchen and the result was the birth of Placerville Speedways very first Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar Cheese Corn Dog, a snack bar item that has been selling out week after week.
“I was hanging out with my bosses Alan and Jeff after work one night and Alan was talking about how they tried to wrap a corn dog with bacon for something new and it didn’t really work out,” said Guedea, now known as “Snack Shack Sammy” following his recent broadcast interview on the racing related website known as www.theskipperpartys.net. “We kept talking about it and eventually we chopped up some jalapeno peppers, bacon and put shredded chedder cheese into the batter and now I guess people are really liking them.”
There is some debate as to the exact origins of the corn dog. An article in The New York Times makes reference to "corn dog" stands as early as 1941. In the book titled 300 Years of Kitchen Collectibles, author Linda Campbell Franklin states that a "Krusty Korn Dog baker" machine appeared in the 1929 Albert Pick-L. Barth wholesale catalog of hotel and restaurant supplies. The 'korn dogs' were baked in a corn batter and resembled ears of corn when cooked.
A number of current corn dog vendors lay claim to the invention and/or popularization ofthe corn dog. Carl and Neil Fletcher introduced their "Corny Dogs" at the Texas State Fair sometime between 1938 and 1942. The Pronto Pup vendors at the Minnesota State Fair claim to have invented the corn dog in 1941. Cozy Dog Drive-in, in Springfield, IL, claims to have been the first to serve corn dogs on sticks, in 1946. Also in 1946, Dave Barham opened the first location of Hot Dog on a Stick at Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California.
The corn dog is one of the most popular menu items at fairs and events throughout America, it is an icon when it comes to “food on a stick.” While the cheeseburger earned musical fame in Jimmy Buffett’s classic “Cheeseburger in Paradise” the corn dog too has earned its respect in the music industry. In 2003 the brash rock and blues band known as the Barnyard Playboys released their single titled “Corn Dog Love” which is now available on the album of the same title.
While the corn dog has a great history, Placerville Speedway has held the bragging rights for years in the area as one of the few facilities that still makes their corn dogs by hand at each event. From hand mixing the batter to piercing the hundreds of naked wieners with a stick and dipping them in the batter to transform them into a tasty treat at some 400 degrees. The process is labor intensive. For associates such as Shadden and Guedea their labor has become well worth it as this newest item on the speedway’s menu has been the talk of the track and sold out nearly every single night.
“A specialized corn dog, its pretty innovative,” commented Bill Sullivan, Director of Communications for John Padjen Motorsports. “I’m impressed, these two guys have actually found a way to pack three of the primary food groups into a single food item. And to top it off, it’s on a stick. Is it revolutionary? Well no, not really but we’re pretty proud of their effort and the fans love them. We’ve actually had other tracks calling for their recipe.”
In the coming weeks, Placerville Speedway will begin holding a contest to officially name the brainchild of Shadden, Guedea and the second generation Padjen. Details of the contest, including the prize will be released and the official name of the Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar Cheese Corn Dog will be announced before the conclusion of the championship racing season. “We’re going to have some fun with this,” added Sullivan. “That’s what it’s all about at Placerville Speedway, home of auto racing since 1965 and now…the Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar Cheese Corn Dog.”
Placerville Speedway is home to championship auto racing every Saturday night at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. For further details on the remaining 2008 schedule visit www.placervillespeedway.com. Those interested in sponsoring the “name the corn new corn dog contest” can contact Sullivan directly by email at [email protected]. For more information on the Barnyard Playboys and their song “Corn Dog Love” visit www.barnyardplayboys.com. To sample the new Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar Cheese Corn Dog, pick one up with a refreshing Coca-Cola during your next visit to Placerville Speedway.
PHOTO ATTACHED
Placerville Speedway’s executive chefs Jeff Shadden (left) and Sammy Guedea display their newest addition to Placerville Speedway’s menu, the Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar Cheese Corn Dog.
Photo by Bill Sullivan, John Padjen Motorsports
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