Sad Sad Day For Florida Racing

[carolwicks]

remember this boney maroney....

you are the grass and i am the lawnmower when i see you there.... lol
Drive carefully... are you getting pit passes?
OZ

[Mod25]

Question for Sandy or Jane.... We are thinking about going over this weekend to race our truck. In the event of a rainout, will our admission for the truck and/or our pit passes be honored at the next FASCAR Pro-Truck event? Not trying to be negative, but it is tough to justify the fuel, hotel, etc. in this tough economy with no hope for a rain date. Thanks

Dennis Gardner
11k Pro Truck

[JackTripper]

It's funny you mention the donuts, but one of the things I've liked over the years at Lakeland was the variety of food vendors, though this year has been kind of weak. There used to be a guy there making gyros and greek salads that were soooo good, same goes with the church that used to come out with a smoker.

I'm super very bummed I can't make the race. Yes, the current regime did close to nothing to promote races and raped us on the price of tickets, but I'd like to think we'd all go out and support our racers one last time at Lakeland.

I would imagine some of the Super Late Model heavy hitters will now be running so they can say they won the last race ever at Lakeland.

[Edm]

Oh Yeaaaa, the gyro people were great too. Damn its getting close to lunch. All I keep thinking about is those little do-nuts.
The Rib people at Bronson are always pretty good too.

[SlideShowBob]

Everyone can say what they want but poor promotion, high ticket prices and everything else that has been said here had nothing to do with the demise of this race track. You can take it straight to the top of Hooters. When Robert Brooks died USA was doomed. The track was sold by the family for a dirt cheap price to Tony Amico who had no intentions but to sell the track for development. Just look at what has happend to the series in the years since Brooks has passed. The writing was on the wall.........

Sorry to say, I think the writing is on the wall for the series too......

[Rick Williamson]

Yes we have lost the Mini Stock Series this year ready. Which one is next?

[Todd McCreary]

I never post so there it is go get it...Todd118brokebackbillybobredneckfan.com

*shrugs*

i heard this was coming almost 2 weeks ago. but i kept my mouth shut because it wasn't my business, it was through the vine and nothing i could say would make any difference.

but the first thing you want to do is get me in here slinging crap at you so you can try to play the wounded party for the crowd. sorry Don, this doesn't have a damn thing to do with you, i'm not going for it.

oh, and those "billybobredneckfans"? that's your primary fan base and racer crowd. you really ought to learn to love those guys, it'd do your grandstand and pit admissions a world of good.

[ovalracer44]

[
i heard this was coming almost 2 weeks ago.

Through your tinfoil hat? The CIA hasnt been sapping your brain power again have they?

[AB195]

Sad to see the Big Track Go-

But just as sad as it is to see the big track go, it would be somewhat OK if the old quarter-miler was resurrected again with the use of the current backstretch/old frontstretch grandstands. Only one of the huge light poles would be needed for lighting, the concession and washrooms are still there, and some rearrainging of some concrete walls would privide the seperated pit area, the parking lot next to the dragstip is still there, and the new owners could build and build all around, with a tiny raceway tucked off to the side.
Just like old times before the big 3/4 milerwas built.

[Cara]

In the orlandosentinel.com today is a write up about Lakeland. It stated that the mud bogg and dragstrip will remain but the oval track is what will go. August 9th will be auction for all items at the track including pictures and down to the very last pencil.

[Frasson118]

Typical Orlando Sentinel. Never once was there word of an upcoming race, the results from any race, or any personalities involved there. But they sure jumped all over the fact that it's closing.

The Sentinel, and Tony Amico both suck!

[SeminoleWind]

Sorry to see such a nice facility being closed down. It was a great place for drivers to showcase their talents on a bigger than usual short track.
Maybe we can take this loss and turn it into a positve. Let's get back to the basics. Drivers and fans can now concentrate on the weekly shows rather than "cherry picking" certain big events. The car owners and drivers don't have to own a big, expensive engine to keep up with the speeds at USA. Also, wrecking at USA was more costly than wrecking at a smaller track.
I will miss Speedfest. Other than the Snowball, it was one of the best asphalt events in the Southeast. It was held at a good time of the year as it did'nt conflict with any other asphalt events. Any tracks thinking of continuing Speedfest? Are there enough Super Lates left to support it? Will the fans support a new Speedfest at Orlando, DeSoto, Charlotte County? Is it too cold in January for a nighttime race?

[SeminoleWind]

Kinda have my brain in gear (it does'nt happen too often), here's an idea. Speedfest at 3 different tracks. Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Super Lates and Pro Late Models only, no support divisions. Heat races and last chance races only. Give the top ten finishers from the previous night a choice of starting in the back of the next race (automatically) or taking their chances on improving their position through the heat races. Pay extra money for passing. Would it work?

[JackTripper]

Track cooperation and good payouts would make that work...precisely what state do you think you are in?

[Frasson118]

Kevin... WAKE UP! You must have slipped into a coma here!

You're asking 3 seperate tracks to COOPERATE? They can't do it here, as much of a shame as that is. The idea is good, I'd love to see it happen... but don't hold your breath.