- ARCA to race at new NJ road course: Long recognized as the most versatile touring sanction in motorsports, the ARCA RE/MAX Series has left very little doubt for 2008.
Among the standard combination of superspeedways, short tracks and dirt tracks, the series, headed toward its 56th consecutive season, is going road course racing with an event at the brand new 2.3-mile New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) road course in Millville, New Jersey on September 28th, 2008. The course features 14 challenging turns and a half-mile straightway surrounded by 40 acres of full service paddock space. Amenities on this circuit will include concession buildings, event garages, 20 VIP Suites, banquet rooms, a covered false grid and a three story timing tower with media center and VIP facilities. The event at New Jersey Motorsports Park marks the 10th time the ARCA RE/MAX Series has raced on a road course since debuting on the now defunct Meadowdale Raceway road course in 1958. The last time the ARCA RE/MAX Series appeared on a road course was at Watkins Glen Int'l on July 7th, 2001. John Finger won the thrilling race over Blaise Alexander, Kimmel, Robert Burroughs and Art Cross, completing the top-five.(ARCA PR)(11-24-2007)
- N.J. Senate to consider bill providing for NASCAR track: NJ State senators pushed forward legislation today to help bring a NASCAR auto racing track to Cumberland County. The legislation twice passed the Assembly, but hadn't received recent Senate consideration until it was released today by a Senate economic growth committee. The measure would help bring a 700-acre race track complex to Millville. Under the bill, a sports and entertainment district would be created and the town could charge an additional 2% sales tax within the district, including on sales of food and drink, hotel rooms and event tickets. Money from the tax would be put into a fund to either back bonds issued to build the $100 million track or cover financial assistance for a developer. Officials hope to start building the track early next year. "This motor park would be an economic benefit to South Jersey in particular and to the state as a whole and would be paid for entirely by levies on the users of the facilities inside the motor park," said sponsor Sen. Nicholas Asselta, R-Cumberland.(Delaware News Journal)(11-29-2006)
- New Jersey Track to be sold...and gone? Two developers who want to build roughly 250 homes to replace Wall Township Speedway [NJ] are under contract to purchase the 55-year-old raceway, one of the firm's principals said Sunday. But the project isn't likely to be approved, township officials said Sunday. The 50-acre speedway, scheduled to open April 2 for the season, sits on land zoned for future office space, and the master plan prohibits retail and residential uses on Route 34, Mayor Ned Thomson said. Kasparian said the perimeter of the property along Route 34 and Hurley Pond Road already is approved for office buildings, and the new homes would be built to the rear of the highway.(Asbury Park Press)(3-23-2005)
- Spotters Father to be Honored at Atlantic City Race: OpenWheelRacing.com founder, Len Calinoff, will be remembered by Rich “Toby” Tobias, Jr. during the upcoming Atlantic City Indoor Race. Calinoff, a former ARDC Midget driver, unexpectedly passed away on December 1. Tobias will be fielding two “house” cars for the Slingshot portion of the event. One of which will carry sponsorship from OpenWheelRacing.com, in memory of Len Calinoff. Lenny Boyd, a previous Atlantic City race winner and ARDC Champion, has been named as the driver. “It’s a fitting tribute to Mr. Calinoff. I never met him personally, but he has supported my (USAC) team and the Slingshot Division through his website”, stated Tobias. “He shared my passion for open wheel racing.” Boyd’s winnings will be donated to a charity yet to be determined.
Len Calinoff’s love for racing has been passed to his son, Mike Calinoff. Mike is currently Matt Kenseth’s spotter on the Roush Racing/Dewalt Power Tools Nextel Cup Racing Team. Mike and OpenWheelRacing.com Editor, John LeVan, will continue OpenWheelRacing.com. Mike Calinoff also founded StockCarCity.com for “fendered racing” enthusiasts and recently assumed the role of C.E.O and Co-owner of TrackTime Driving Schools, Inc.
The second Speedway Entertainment house car will be driven by ABC-TV Motorsports Commentator, Jack Arute. Arute will be sponsored by the National Fragile X Foundation. “Jack’s share of the purse will benefit the National Fragile X Foundation”, explained Tobias. “My son (Andrew) has Fragile X Syndrome and we are hoping to give the non-profit organization some additional exposure.” Information about Fragile X Syndrome can be found at www.fragilex.org.
Racing is scheduled for January 21 and 22. The Slingshots will compete on Friday, with the “Dirty Dozen” twin twelve-lap preliminary races. Saturday’s Slingshot schedule will include the “Young Lions” Race (age 14 – 16), a semi, and the 20-lap Briggs & Stratton Power Products 20-lap feature.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (at outlets, by phone or on the internet). Tickets will also be available with no service fee
included at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office. General admission and select reserved tickets are available at the Area Auto Racing News
office in Trenton, N.J. For more information call 609-888-3618 or visit www.aarn.com. Jayski will sadly miss the event for the first time since it restarted, but Dad, Uncle Bud and Jimmy Bailey will pick up the slack.(12-17-2004)
- Plans for NJ Motorsports Park moving along: City officials put the proposed N.J. Motorsports Park on track Monday night for a 2005 groundbreaking. After another lengthy public hearing, the city's Planning Board gave the project's conceptual plan a unanimous endorsement. The 9-0 vote capped a nearly four-hour meeting, the second in less than a month on the controversial project. The decision means the developer, N.J. Motorsports Park LLC, can move as early as February 2005 to submit a site plan for the first phase of what is to be a three-phase project. Despite the favorable board vote, this may not be the end of the plan's legal journey. Opponents presented testimony in an effort to establish the vote was being taken without an adequate factual record. The factual record is important because state law and local ordinance require certain conclusions be made by the board before the vote. One finding, for example, is that there be "no unreasonable adverse impact" on either people or the environment. The board made that factual finding, coming down in favor of expert testimony from developers and consultants, rather than contradictory analysis from opponents. Opponents brought in new testing data purporting to show holes in the methodology used to study issues of noise levels and impacts on animal life in the project's area. Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and its Tributaries Inc., a local nonprofit business, led the opposition. The N.J. Audubon Society and the Association of N.J. Environmental Commissions also joined it. Attorney Carter Strickland, of the Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic, led three expert witnesses through testimony on likely sound levels and impacts in the environment. Eric Zwerling, president of Noise Consultancy LLC and executive director of Rutgers Noise Technical Assistance Center, said the developer had failed to provide baseline data on existing noise levels at the project site. The motorsports park would occupy 707 acres at the Millville Municipal Airport. Zwerling said he was hired a week ago to study current noise levels and estimate the likely noise effects on residential communities. He and assistants monitored the area this past Saturday. Zwerling told the board the likely sound levels, an estimated 65 decibels at a distance of 3,000 feet, would make it very difficult to impossible for residents to enjoy normal outdoor activities. He added the developers' expert has miscalculated the ability of sound from the racetrack to travel. The 65 decibels is lower than the 80-decibel ceiling required by local ordinance. Zwerling estimated 45 decibels is the current ambient sound level on nearby Porreca Drive.(in part from the Daily Journal)(12-15-2004)
- Not NASCAR but.. my hometown area so....Tickets for the 2005 edition of the Atlantic City Indoor Race at the famed Boardwalk Hall are on sale now (Oct. 21). Before making purchases, fans will want to take note of some notable changes in the two-day racing spectacular - scheduled for Jan. 21 and 22, 2005 - that is headlined by the TQ Midgets/600cc Micro-Sprints. Reduced ticket prices, a return of general-admission seating, special perks for advance-ticket buyers and a repositioning of the racetrack
start/finish line are key items for all spectators to consider. In hopes of making the event more family-friendly, race organizer
Lenny Sammons has cut ticket prices for 2005. The preliminary program on Fri., Jan. 21, will boast general-admission ticket prices of $17 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. There will be no reserved seats sold for Friday's action, so fans will be able to sit anywhere in the Hall's spacious balcony. Reserved seats will be available for Saturday night's finale, but only in the Hall's prime lower sections. Those reserved seats will cost $25, while general-admission tickets for the upper sections will be $20 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. Children under two will be admitted free of charge both nights to the upper general-admission sections. Fans opting to purchase reserved seats should note that the start/finish finish has been moved to what was the track's backstretch in 2003 and 2004. The change was made because the new first and second turns of the track are wider than the corners at the other end, which
should provide drivers more room to maneuver on double-file starts and restarts.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (at outlets, by phone or on the internet). Tickets will also be available with no service fee
included at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office. General admission and select reserved tickets are available at the Area Auto Racing News
office in Trenton, N.J. For more information call 609-888-3618 or visit www.aarn.com.(10-21-2004)
- more on the South Jersey race track The New Jersey Motorsports Park, Raceplex and Conference Center will be a multifaceted complex with a 4.1 mile road circuit raceway as its focal point. The facility, essentially a Motorsports Resort, will have design features and characteristics similar to those of the legendary Virginia International Raceway (VIR) that opened in Southern Virginia in 1957 and was revived in 1999 by Harvey Siegel. More info at www.njmotorsportspark.com.(6-7-2004)
- South NJ Track Plans - Not NASCAR: For 6 1/2 years, officials in Cumberland County [NJ - south of Philadelphia, PA] tried unsuccessfully to build a major international speedway in Southern New Jersey. Yesterday, however, they nabbed the next best thing, announcing a deal with a leading auto racing developer to build a $100 million motorsports park and hotel complex next to the Millville Airport. The planned Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park -- construction is projected to begin in the spring, with an opening date in April 2006 -- is vastly different from the country's superspeedways, which have grandstands that can hold 140,000 fans and banked, 2.5-mile tracks where cars zoom at 200 mph. But Siegel, who also built the Mercer Mall, said the track's location just an hour's drive from Philadelphia and Atlantic City and 2 1/2 hours from New York makes it an ideal destination for both amateur and professional racing enthusiasts. "We are going to provide a great service under great circumstances and the people will come," said Siegel, who races vintage sports cars in his free time. Whether it means getting people to tune into the weekly NASCAR race or joining a sports car club, motorsports represent one of the few growth areas of the sports business today. The Millville facility will try to capitalize on the growing popularity of motorsports as a competition but also a leisure activity similar to golf or tennis. The New Jersey Motorsports Park will feature a 4.7-mile road track, a three-quarter-mile tri-oval, a country club with a pool and tennis courts, car paddocks with room for 1,000 automobiles, luxury suites, track-side condominiums, and seating for 15,000 fans. Siegel said the facility is likely to host a half-dozen sanctioned motorcycle, automobile and truck races each year. On the weekends when races are not taking place, automobile clubs that focus on a specific brand, such as Porsche or Maserati, will rent the facility along with large businesses that use such tracks to entertain clients. Last year, Virginia International Raceway lured 250,000 spectators and 50,000 additional visitors.(Newark Star Ledger and more at Daily Journal)(6-2-2004)
- South Jersey Track? or a Golf Course? The proposed motorsports park planned for construction here [Millville, NJ] will be more like a golf course or a country club and will not be a NASCAR track for competitive driving, according to New Jersey Motorsports Inc. representative Richard Muller Jr. ''The park will look and operate similar to one of over 15,000 golf courses in America except members will be bringing their cars rather than their clubs,'' Muller said Tuesday during a presentation to the Millville Chamber of Commerce. Muller explained the motorsports facility will be membership based and that memberships will be reasonably priced and affordable for families in Cumberland County. The facility, if built, is also expected to be a major draw for Salem County motorsports enthusiasts and others from the region. The public will be able to utilize the facility seven days a week for most of the year and the park will be operated only during the day -- no driving events will take place at night. There will not be bleachers that rise 100 feet above the tress and no large stadium lights, he added. According to the 10-page conceptual proposal referenced by Muller during the presentation, the park will serve recreational events as well as professional events. The motorsports facility will be used as an educational, recreational and entertainment driving complex. The recreational driving courses will serve a number of non-competitive events. Three separate courses are expected to be constructed, including a mini-grand prix course for adults, a Go-Kart course for 12- to 18 year-olds and a smaller driving area for 3- to 12 year-olds. There will be a racetrack for professionally sanctioned road-racing events, which Muller expects will take place in Millville within three years of the park's opening. He said the developers hope to attract three or four professional races annually. These four-day weekend events will be staged for both spectator and television audiences.(Today's Sunbean/NJ.com)(2-13-2002)
- South Jersey Racetrack Roadblock? The south Jersey site where a developer wants to build a $50 million motor speedway falls squarely inside federally protected bald eagle habitat. New Jersey Motorsports Inc. has already presented its plan for a racetrack at one of three sites near Millville, a relatively remote part of the nation's most densely populated state. The main site under consideration is a triangle of land between the Millville Airport and the Maurice River. But according to a state database, the land serves as foraging grounds for eagles nesting along the river. Because of that, the farmland and woods have been given the highest protected status assigned by the state Department of Environmental Protection.(NJ.com/AP)(2-10-2002)
- South Jersey Track Plans UPDATE: Plans for a $50 million world-class motor-sports complex are scheduled to be revealed today [12-18-2001] by Cumberland County, which for years has been trying to bring NASCAR racing to the region. Principals from New Jersey Motorsports Inc. will present their plans for a speedway and display a conceptual model of a "multifaceted" project that will "generate great appeal to those who love motor sports," said Freeholder Director Louis N. Magazzu, who is among those spearheading the drive. In 2000, the owners of two of the nation's largest stock car race promotion companies expressed independent interest in making the New Jersey or New York market the spot for the next NASCAR raceway. Those plans fell through after wrangling over whether the speedway should be in North or South Jersey.(Philadelphia Inqurier)
AND Cumberland County officials today will announce plans for a $50 million world-class motor-sports complex in Millville that will "mix well with activities that already take place in Cape May County and Atlantic City." Freeholder Director Louis Magazzu said Monday that the principals from New Jersey Motorsports Inc. will discuss the cost, the location and the type of facility planned during the official announcement at 1:30pm/et today at Dallas Airmotive in Millville Municipal Airport. He did confirm that the facility would be built in Millville by the Cayre family of Manhattan, though he would not comment on the exact site. Opponents cite the noise, traffic and air pollution that might be generated in a rural area. But supporters say the ratables would far outweigh the negatives. Magazzu hinted that county Empowerment Zone bond funding might be involved in the project.(Atlantic City Press)(12-18-2001)
UPDATE: Under the echoes of applause in one of Dallas Air Motive's hangars at the Millville Airport, developers revealed a model of the proposed 70-acre, $50 million motor speedway complex. Freeholder Director Louis Magazzu glowed as he introduced developer Jack Cayre, senior executive of New Jersey Motorsports Inc. Cayre, and his family, presented their vision of a 3.2-mile racetrack, welcome center, restaurant, and the possibility of timeshare condos and more amenities in the future. That issue reared its head during the November election, when candidates, mostly Democrats, pushed the lack of a speedway in southern New Jersey as an issue of state neglect. They argued that projects, such as the track planned for Hackensack and the Newark sports arena, were getting state support while Cumberland County got none. The New York-based developer has offered to pay $24.4 million of the projects cost, leaving the rest for state, federal and local sources. What developers were presenting today was not the characteristic oval track that NASCAR fans may know, but one with many turns. As wide as a three-lane highway, it is coated with a special polymer surfacing, and can split into two separate circuits for different types of racing. According to Donald Fauerbach, executive director of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and a race team owner, that doesn't mean the track can't accommodate NASCAR racing, which races many types of vehicles. That's the other point that developers are pushing. The speedway, although planned to attract more than 100,000 spectators annually, will do more than host just races. Plans include offering driver's education for first-time drivers and racers, to offering space for police, fire and emergency medical technicians to polish their skills. Where it will be is still under negotiation. Magazzu said developers are talking with a private owner for land, due east of the airport. County Information Officer Glenn Nickerson said that location is in the vicinity of the intersection of Buckshutem and Dividing Creek roads, site of a 700-acre forest fire earlier this year. He said the project could make use of Cumberland County Empowerment Zone bond financing, allowing for a low 2 percent interest rate. Zone Executive Director Jerry Velazquez said wherever the track ends up; the zone is allowed to extend its boundaries to that developable site. What the project will need is state legislation designating the project's site as a sports and entertainment district, which will funnel sales tax back to the complex. Magazzu said between now and June 30 is when he hopes the legislation will be passed. He believes the empowerment zone component will take another 60 to 90 days, and subsequent permits will take six months. During that time, residents will have opportunities at zoning and planning hearing to voice their opinions. Some of those opinions may include environmental and quality of life concerns, which Magazzu expects.(Atlantic City Press)(12-19-2001)
- South Jersey Track? Freeholder Director Louis Magazzu announced Tuesday that a speedway is definitely in the county's future, although he said could not reveal the details yet. "Don't ask me about the motor speedway that I'm preparing to announce in a few days," Magazzu joked at a meeting of the Employer Legislative Committee. "It won't be a big NASCAR facility, but we've still been having very good discussions that I'm taking part in," he said. "We're moving forward to working things out." Magazzu has been pushing for a motor speedway in Cumberland County since at least January 2000. In May of this year, Magazzu said he received words of support for the speedway from Assemblyman Nick Asselta, R-Cumberland, Cape, Atlantic. "What I have said is that it's timely because there are ongoing negotiations with the Meadowlands and the possible use of CRDA (Casino Reinvestment Development Authority)," Magazzu said.(Press of Atlantic City)(11-16-2001)
- South New Jersey Track News: There was no shortage of auto-racing puns as southern New Jersey leaders were joined by business and labor representatives, as well as racing fans, for a rally on the Cumberland County Courthouse steps Wednesday. The purpose of the rally, dubbed "D-Day for the Speedway," was to show support for locating a motor speedway in Cumberland County. Freeholder Director Louis Magazzu, flanked by elected officials from Atlantic, Cape May, and Gloucester counties, received cheers from the crowd when he said, "acting Gov. (Donald) DiFrancesco wants to know if the people of South Jersey want a motor speedway in South Jersey." Officials cited $250 million slated for a rehab of the Meadowlands in Hackensack or $400 million slated for an arena in Newark. Steve Sweeney, Gloucester County freeholder director and 3rd District state Democratic senate candidate, noted a press release he received from the Governor's Office indicating that the Newark project would not need the state dollars due to private investment. Also on hand was Jason Jarrett, a driver on the NASCAR and ARCA circuits. "Being from the south, I take for granted that racing fans are mostly from there," he said. "But man, I think this place can support what we have," referring to the fan support at the rally. Jarrett arrived before the rally to sign autographs and meet fans. A third generation racer, he is currently ranked third in points in the ARCA circuit. Magazzu said a state of the art facility, including a convention center, could run up to $200 million. He added that the county is a good candidate because of economic need and its county empowerment zone. He stated no site has been selected and the county would consider job creation, environmental issues, and economic development impact before it would commit to a speedway(Atlantic City Press)
AND Although he only spent a short time in Cumberland County, Jason Jarrett was blown away. The third-generation stockcar driver said at Wednesday evening's rally at the court house in Bridgeton that he was impressed by the outpouring of people. Jarrett appeared as part of the ''D-Day for the Speedway'' rally sponsored by the county to bring a motor sports facility to the area -- a project that has been in the works for almost 10 years. His trip was sponsored by Donald Fauerbach, a local resident and president of MAURTCO Motorsports. ''Obviously I'm going to be a supporter of wherever they want to put a racetrack, but I think this place can definitely support the events that we have,'' said Jarrett, who won the last weekend's BPU 200 -- the inaugural race at the Kansas Speedway near Kansas City.(Bridgeton News)(6-7-2001)
- South NJ news: on Wednesday, June 6 there will be a South Jersey Speedway Day outside the Cumberland County (NJ) Courthouse in Bridgeton, NJ with special guest-- ARCA driver Jason Jarrett scheduled to appear at 6:00pm/et. The Speedway Day is an event in which some area politicians from across South Jersey are meeting with fans in support of the South Jersey Speedway which is an attempt to get a NASCAR type race track in the Southern NJ area(Runnin' Wide Open)(6-2-2001)
- Flemington Speedway(NJ) update: According to the Hunterdon County Democrat, dated Thursday, November 9th. The Raritan Townshp Planning Board Meeting to discuss the re-zoning of the Flemington Fairgrounds(where Flemington Speedway is located) will be held on Thursday, November 30th at 7:30pm at the Raritan Township Police/Court Facility on Route 523 just off the Route 12 Circle. The track shut down operations in early October 2000. The speedway has been used since 1915, with weekly races held since the 1950s, including CTS races thru 1998. A lack of interest in farming forced the corporation to abandon the Flemington Fair after 144 years in September. Dwindling attendance and longtime financial woes finally stalled racing. The future now lies in business, the owners say. Options for 2001 included operating weekly, once a month or discontinue. Losses have been tremendous over the last several years and the group of shareholders decided enough was enough. Auto races will not be run unless someone buys the speedway and uses it for racing. The Flemington Fairgrounds could sell for as much as $10 million if it is rezoned into a commercial district(11-27-2000)
- Flemington Story: Racers sad to see track lose race with time by Jean Mansur from the Newark Star-Ledger(10-3-2000)
- Flemingtion Suspends Operations: on Thursday, Flemington(NJ) Fair and Speedway stockholders and the board of directors decided not to again race this year. The speedway has been used since 1915, with weekly races held since the 1950s, including CTS races thru 1998. A lack of interest in farming forced the corporation to abandon the Flemington Fair after 144 years in September. Dwindling attendance and longtime financial woes finally stalled racing. The future now lies in business, the owners say. Options for 2001 included operating weekly, once a month or discontinue. Losses have been tremendous over the last several years and the group of shareholders decided enough was enough. Auto races will not be run unless someone buys the speedway and uses it for racing(in part from the Courier Post thanks David for the heads up) AND another story: The Flemington Fairgrounds could sell for as much as $10 million if it is rezoned into a commercial district -- which would put the property out of reach of a preservation group trying to buy the site, experts said Wednesday. Citizens for Parkland would like to buy the 51-acre property for $2.5 million. The group wants to turn the area into a large park, complete with football fields, basketball courts and baseball fields. The group helped save the Dovor Farm in Raritan Township(NJ) from development last year(Courier Post)(9-28-2000)
- Flemington Gone? Flemington Speedway in Flemington, NJ (30 minutes from Trenton) is in danger of closing as the owners of the track are trying to get the town to change the zoning of the speedway and fairgrounds so they can sell it to developers to build another mall. Last week a town meeting was held, Raritan Township has until Dec 31,2000 to finalize their decision. During the annual fair at Flemington Fairgrounds(where the track is located), there is going to be a "Citizens for Parkland" booth and a petition will be available for people who wish to stop the zoning change. Flemington held its first auto race in 1915 and until recently held NASCAR CTS races there. Flemington Speedway hosts the annual Fair that is in it's 144th year(TheModifieds.net)(9-2-2000)
- NJ Track News: Representatives of the Atlantic City Race Course and O. Bruton Smith said both parties have settled their legal dispute. Word of the out-of-court settlement was disclosed in an Atlantic City Press article Thursday, Aug. 17. Smith's attorney, Fred Lowrance of Charlotte, N.C., and Atlantic City Racing Ass'n President James J. Murphy said the suit was settled between early spring and last month. See full story at the National Speed Sport News site(8-22-2000)
- Southern NJ Track News: NJ Rep. Bob Franks, R-7, Saturday pledged his strong support in bringing a NASCAR-type facility to this region. Franks said that southern New Jersey would receive a significant economic boom from a NASCAR-type facility and promised to lend his full support "in securing federal assistance to help meet the capital costs and infrastructure improvements needed to bring a world-class motor sports/entertainment facility to this region." Assemblyman Nicholas Asselta (R-Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic), when asked about the apparent lack of interest on the part of developers in having a NASCAR-type track in Cumberland County, Asselta said, "I believe Cumberland County is the best location. Sometimes developers have to do due diligence. Atlantic City fell by the wayside, and I think North Jersey also will, for environmental reasons." Asselta noted the support of the Cumberland County Board of Freeholders and said with county, state and federal support and by pulling resources together, he felt such a facility could, in the end, come here. "The key is you would need between 1,200 to 1,500 acres and we have an environmentally safe site," Asselta said. He also cited the accessibility to Millville Airport(Press of Atlantic City)(8-14-2000)
- NJ News: from the Bridgeton (NJ) New in part: While Cumberland County(South Jersey) officials are practically begging racetrack developers to build here, those from Bergen County(North Jersey near NYC) are less than thrilled at the prospect of getting a motorsport-type facility. The two counties are being considered by track developers who want to bring the popular sport to New Jersey and the metropolitan region. In Bergen County, track developers are conducting a feasibility study to determine how compatible the Meadowlands complex would be for a track. The Cumberland County Improvement Authority is moving forward with its own study, looking at several sites in the county. Local residents and leaders in Cumberland County have overwhelming backed the push, but representatives from North Jersey are more than skeptical. In fact, many don't need a study to tell them what they already know: They've put up with enough already. Fols in Bergen County do not feel the are can hanlde it(the traffic, etc). A racetrack would bring even bigger traffic problems to an already congested area, plus there are noise and pollution concerns as well. Municipal leaders there recently caught word of International Speedway Corporation of Daytona Beach's study, although many of them don't know the details. It is figured it is because the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority doesn't want "bad publicity" before the study is complete(Bridgeton News)(2-21-2000)
- NJ Track Story: 2 Sites vie for NYC-area NASCAR by David Scott of the Charlotte Observer(2-10-2000)
- NJ Battle: Battling to get into New Jersey? That's the scenario for Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports, jostling NASCAR rivals International Speedway(ISC) and the France family for access to the much-desired New York area. France & Co. previously announced a partnership with the N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority to explore track possibilities there, but now SMI is back in the hunt. One report speculates that Smith wants to make a run for the Meadowlands complex in East Rutherford, including Giants Stadium and the New Jersey Nets' home arena. SMI president Humpy Wheeler says that's unlikely, but allows that "we're still searching. It really comes down to who finds a site first. That's 50% of the problem. It's a race."(Business Journal of Charlotte)(2-7-2000)
- Bruton to buy the Meadowlands? TNN's Inside Winston Cup said this AM that Bruton Smith is looking into buying the Meadowlands Sports Complex, including Giants Stadium and building a race track there. ISC is presently doing a feasibility study of building a track at the complex with the State of NJ(1-23-2000)
- Meadowlands News: NASCAR has expressed an interest in pumping $250 million into a super speedway at the Meadowlands. The authority last week authorized a prominent track management company to conduct a yearlong feasibility study. See the rest of the story at the Star Ledger - Bergen exec sees 'dominoes falling' around the Meadowlands which deal more with the sports teams wanting to leave the Meadowlands(1-20-2000)
- South Jersey Track News: A developer has won approval from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to conduct a feasibility study to develop a motorsports facility at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, all but dashing hopes for a site in southern New Jersey. The news Friday enraged Cumberland County Freeholder Louis Magazzu, who has been pursuing the racetrack facility for a site in Millville, NJ. After a site near Atlantic City dropped out of the race for the track last year, the Meadowlands complex in northern New Jersey has been the only viable competitor to the Millville site. Proponents of the Millville site say that wetlands restrictions limit the Meadowlands. If it isn't sited in Millville, they claim, New York will snare the project away from New Jersey(Press of Atlantic City)(1-15-2000)
- North NJ Track News: ISC announced it will conduct a feasibility study to investigate developing a facility at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. The Meadowlands, located in a densely populated area eight miles west of downtown Manhattan, includes an NFL football stadium, a coliseum for NBA basketball and NHL hockey, and a horse racing complex. ISC appears to consider having a facility in the New York City area as its top priority, potentially providing the corporation with a "presence" in the nation's largest market. The agreement announced Friday was between New York International Speedway Corporation (NYISC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daytona Beach, Fla.-based ISC, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates the Meadowlands(SpeedVision)(1-14-2000)
- South NJ Track Story: Cumberland County needs envisioned NASCAR track(LINK FIXED)(Courier Post)(1-14-2000)
- New Jersey Track News: Racing fans throughout southern New Jersey are rallying their troops to get Gov. Christie Whitman's ear when she arrives in Millville, NJ on Monday at 6:30pm/et to swear in the new Cumberland County Freeholder Board at the County Courthouse. They hope to have a few hundred fans show up. Anonymous fliers were sent to media, businesses and individuals throughout the region Thursday night, declaring "Race Fans Unite," and urging them to attend the meeting. It's the latest push to get Whitman to consider a 1,200-acre tract of privately owned land in Millville for a proposed racetrack. After a site near Atlantic City dropped out of the race for the track last year, the Meadowlands complex in northern New Jersey has been the only viable competitor to the Millville site(Press of Atlantic City)(1-3-2000)
- New Jersey Track News: If New Jersey -- in particular, Cumberland County -- doesn't act quickly, it may lose a proposed multimillion-dollar NASCAR-type racetrack to New York, area officials said Wednesday. In fact, one official -- Donald Fauerbach, executive director of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors -- urged the county Empowerment Zone Board to make a proposal to the state as soon as possible. The board on Tuesday discussed the idea of conducting a feasibility and marketing study on a 1,200-acre tract of privately owned land in Millville for the proposed racetrack. New York Governor George) Pataki is aggressively moving on 400 acres on Staten Island as a site for the racetrack(Trump/ISC?). Since a site near Atlantic City dropped out of the race for the track(in 1998 with Bruton Smith), the Meadowlands complex in northern New Jersey has been the only viable competitor to the Millville site, officials said(Press of Atlantic City)(12-16-1999)
- New Jersey Race Track? UPDATE: Stock car racing, the nation's fastest-growing spectator sport, wants to bring its ear-numbing, bleacher-rattling sport to New Jersey and is studying potential sites. The Meadowlands sports complex and a former airport in southern New Jersey are being considered as sites for a new stock car racing track that could seat 200,000 fans. The Star-Ledger of Newark reported Tuesday that NASCAR and at least two companies that build and manage racetracks would spend at least $250 million construct a facility on one of the sites. John Samerjan, sports authority spokesman, confirmed International Speedway(ISC) approached the authority about its East Rutherford complex, which is home to five pro sports teams and a horse-racing track. The report quoted industry officials, politicians and officials from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority(Yahoo Daily News/AP and the Star Ledger)(12-7-1999) -- UPDATE: See the story at That's Racin' concerning problems with both sites, "Stock car racing wants to come to New Jersey, but whether New Jersey is ready for the high-speed, fast-growing sport is far from certain": Meadowlands site being considered for NASCAR track(12-9-1999)
- New Jersey Track News: Jack Collins, the speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, recently met with Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman O. Bruton Smith in Charlotte to discuss the possibility of building a speedway in New Jersey. Serious discussions have taken place over the past several years about a new speedway project in New Jersey - including by Smith several years ago - and Collins said he wants to help move those discussions to the next step(That's Racin')(10-17-1999)
- South Jersey Race fans: Jack Stanton of the local Racing show, Racing Connection(www.raceshow.com) is urging everyone to send an e-mail to NJ Governor Whitman urging her to speed up the process for getting a race track in Atlantic County. The e-mail address is located at Electronic Correspondence to Governor Christine Todd Whitman, New Jersey(fixed).(Thanks Gail Norton)(3-20-98)
- Two stories in the Press of Atlantic City discusses the proposed sale of the Atlantic City Race Course, which was going to be converted into an Auto Racing track with Bruton Smith involved and now in litigation: Wednesday's story - Developer agrees to buy Atlantic City Race Course, which in part says: Two months ago, the ACRA filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit over a February sale agreement, claiming that auto-racing mogul Bruton Smith backed out of the deal "with the intent to deceive and defraud." The suit -- which names as defendants Smith's personal holding company, Sonic Financial Corp., and his auto-track company, Speedway Motorsports -- is scheduled for a management conference today in federal court in Camden. The suit contends Smith "knew they would only close (the sale) if they received assurances and/or concessions from the state of New Jersey that were not part and parcel of the agreement and not divulged to the plaintiff." Smith could not be reached for comment Tuesday. ACRA announced plans two years ago to convert its facility into a dual auto/horse-racing track designed to attract NASCAR races. Thursday's story does not mention Auto Racing at all:....Developer of Atlantic City Race Course property keeping his options open. The size of the property and the number of uses permitted provide a lot of development options for Sobel to consider, his lawyer says. Housing is about the only use not permitted. The developer who has contracted to buy the Atlantic City Race Course property is keeping his development options open for the time being, his attorney said Wednesday.(The Press of Atlantic City).(5-15-98)
- I got this response after I emailed Gov Whitman: Governor Whitman has received your communication regarding Bruton Smith's proposed motor sports facility. This administration certainly welcomes all economic development projects such as this, which have the potential to substantially benefit the economy of our state. Accordingly, discussions between this department and Mr. Smith have been taking place.
(4-20-98)
- Sonic Financial Corp a holding company of Speedway Motorsports are being sued by the Atlantic City Racing Association over an agreement between Speedway Motorsports and ACRA in which Sonic would pay ACRA $11 million plus $2.5 million upon the first auto race being held, plus an option to purchase 325,000 shares of Speedway stock at $32 per share. On or about 2-17-98, Sonic Financial issued a letter terminating the agreement. The National Speed Sport News(no website) has the complete story.(4-19-98)
- With plans for a NASCAR track near Atlantic City apparently stalled, local officials are going to Texas to again promote Millville, NJ(Cumberland County approx 35-40 miles west of Atlantic City) as the stock car capital of South Jersey. Assemblyman Nick Asselta (R-1), Mayor Jim Quinn and Economic Development Director Kim Warker will go to Dallas Friday for a weekend visit with Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motor Sports Inc., who owns and operates many race tracks throughout the country. The local delegation will join Smith at the Winston Cup 500(Texas 500), and spend time talking to him about a 600-acre site in Millville. For more than a year, Smith has been talking with Atlantic City officials. At one point, plans were discussed to convert the Atlantic City Race Track into a NASCAR track. That deal apparently has fallen through. Asselta conceded that Smith may be considering other locations to put pressure Atlantic County. The average race track generates $300 million in economic spinoff, Asselta said, adding that the track also could be used for concerts and other entertainment. Asselta and Quinn declined to disclose the site of the proposed Millville NASCAR track. This is not the first time the City of Millville has wooed NASCAR. Last year, Asselta said he invited Smith to Cumberland County after meeting him through a state Department of Commerce contact. Acreage in Vineland once was considered but, Asselta said, that deal stalled because a portion of the property fell within the federal Wild and Scenic designation, which restricts land use.(Millville Daily Journal by Deborah M. Marko)(3-31-98)
- Atlantic City, Bruton Smith says, may be dying on the vine. "There's not much there to talk about right now," he said. "It's way on the back burner. It's something we're not even looking at at this time. We're just in a wait-and-see situation, and we're not wasting a lot of management time up there. We do have something we're working on in Chicago, but we don't have anything to announce yet. I think we learned something from the Atlantic City deal, because we were so sure there that we had things in place. But you can't do these things without a lot of cooperation from the local governments."(JournalNow)(3-27-98)
- Does Bruton Smith really want to go head-to-head with International Speedway Corporation in trying to build a speedway in the Chicago area? Or is Smith just trying to jump-start negotiations in New Jersey? Officials from Smith's Speedway Motorsports Inc. say the company is negotiating to buy a 500-acre tract within 15 miles of Chicago with the intention of putting a track there. ISC, which owns tracks at Daytona, Talladega and Darlington, has also been working on plans for a 70,000-seat track near Plano, Ill. Smith has turned his attentions to Chicago after negotiations for a site in Atlantic City, N.J., hit a snag. Smith last year announced intentions to build a track in Atlantic City, and was looking at three sites. When a deal to purchase any of them could not be completed, Smith decided to turn his focus toward the Chicago-area project. William Gormley, a Republican state senator from Atlantic County in New Jersey, told an Atlantic City newspaper he thinks Smith is talking about his Chicago plans as a negotiating ploy to get people in New Jersey to help him work out a deal for a site there.(David Poole-That's Racin')(3-22-98)
- Speedway Motorsports, who own current race tracks at Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Sears Point and Texas are looking seriously to build a track within 15 minutes from Chicago, IL. Their efforts to build a track near Atlantic City, NJ has been bogged down in red tape and they seem to be looking elsewhere(RPM2Nite)(3-11-98)
- Bruton Smith arrived in Daytona Thursday, and said he expected to have something more to say about his proposed Atlantic City, NJ, superspeedway within the next week.(JournalNow)(2-14-98)
- Atlantic City Track News: I hear the sale of the Atlantic City Race Course track is off. Apparently there is problems with the EPA. Supposedly the sale is off and there is envorinmental problems that have to be cleaned up.(2-10-98)
- Other NJ rumors say ISC(Bill France) is looking at the South-West part of the state in Salem County and a 800 acre track near Cowtown, NJ - they would need some major road improvements to this area for this to work(2-10-98)
- I hear Bruton Smith has purchased the Atlantic City Race Course(a horse-racing
track on the outskirts of Atlantic City, NJ), with plans for building a superspeedway on the site. Smith said that he's waiting for some favorable news from New Jersey's political establishment before making his next move. Insiders said that he's not very optimistic about being able to get the political wheels turning.(JournalNow)(2-6-98)
- Atlantic City Race Track News: Project speed discourages CEO Smith
Motorsports mogul O. Bruton Smith said Friday that he remains committed to building a major auto-racing facility in southern New Jersey. However, four months after his original announcement, the chairman and chief executive officer of Motorsports
Speedway Inc. conceded that he is "discouraged" that the project is not further along.
"I wish we had something positive to announce today, but we don't. The ball is not in my court," Smith said from North Carolina. Smith's company owns and operates five major auto-racing facilities across the country. On Sept. 10 at Caesars Atlantic City casino hotel, Smith announced his intention to build a 100,000-seat track "in the
area of Atlantic City." At that time, Smith said he was looking at three undisclosed
sites in the area and hoped to announce all details in 30 days. "It's gone way past the 30 days," Smith said Friday. "It's been very disappointing that it's taken so long." He said his proposal is being reviewed by the state of New Jersey but declined to be more specific. "I can't tell you anything more," Smith said. "We're just
waiting. We're just waiting for the memorandum of understanding" with the state. He said he has selected a site but would not reveal it. "We're looking at one. We're not announcing any specific place yet." Smith has said that the track will not be in Atlantic City. Most speculation has centered on Galloway Township, near Atlantic City International Airport, and Hamilton Township. Proponents in Little Egg Harbor Township and Cumberland County also have expressed an interest in having a track.
Atlantic City Race Course has announced plans to build an auto racing track at the site of its struggling horse-racing facility. In October, the Hamilton Township Committee voted unanimously to prepare an amendment to the existing zoning ordinance that would allow auto racing at Atlantic City Race Course. Smith said the delay in his southern New Jersey project have been discouraging but that he still intends to build one "if we can work out the details. I can't go any deeper into it than that."
Smith repeatedly declined to offer specific details about his intentions or any discussions he's had with state officials. "You have to know where you're going on a project of this size. You've got to know precisely where you're headed before you're moving dirt," he said. Smith also cautioned that he will not remain committed to
the project indefinitely. "I don't know that we have (set a time limit on getting an
agreement in place), but we will."(The Atlantic City Press - Charles Schroder)(1-19-98)(sorry so long, no link)
- News on the proposed Atlantic City, NJ race track from iRACE: "We hear ol' Bruton has picked out a site for the Atlantic City track -- Hammond Mall, west of Atlantic City in May Landing. We understand a blockbuster announcement will come during next week's annual Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. Who wants to bet Sparky that it won't be a 1.5-mile "quad oval," as Bruton likes to call 'em?"(iRACE). Since I live in the area here is what I know: It's the Hamilton Mall(not Hammond Mall) which is located directly in front of the Atlantic City Race Course(ACRC)(horses) which is proposed to convert into an Auto Racing facility. Whether this is a separate deal or merger, I do not know, but the talk of the area is that the ACRC will be the site of the new 1 or 1.25 mile track. No way this area can support two tracks.(1-7-98)
- News about the proposed Atlantic City Race Track: Vote paves the way for Atlantic City Race Course speedway, "Township Committee voted unanimously late Thursday to prepare an amendment to the existing zoning ordinance that would allow auto racing as a permitted use in the recreational-commercial zone." No news on Bruton Smith's involvement in the track.(Atlantic City Press)(10-25-97)
- The meeting in Mays Landing NJ for the proposed race track near Atlantic City, NJ with Bruton Smith attracted over 1,000 people last week(pro/con). Another meeting is scheduled, Wed, 9/24 and will run from 7-11pm at the Hess School on Babcock Road, off rt 40 in Mays Landing. Jack Stanton of the local TV show(weds at 7pm), Racing Connection urges all local race fans to hang in there and come out in force again, the show of support for motorsports in South Jersey is the key. Any questions contact Jack Stanton - email(9-19-97)
- "NASCAR insiders are pondering Bruton Smith's announcement this week of plans for a three-quarter-mile Bristol-type oval near the New Jersey gaming resort of Atlantic City, and at least one high-ranking NASCAR man is asking aloud if Smith is now trying to put pressure on the Mattioli's to sell Pocono. Smith has tried several times to purchase the Pocono track, which is only 90 miles from New York City(4 hours for South Jersey), but he's been rebuffed each time. According to one NASCAR source, Martinsville Speedway officials have been approached by officials associated with the Atlantic City interested in purchasing one of Martinsville's Winston Cup dates." (JournalNow), all I know is that the Smith announcement is big news here in South Jersey and Smith rarely makes a big announcement like this and then backs off, I guess we'll see(9-13-97)
- Bruton Smith was in Atlantic City today(9-10) to announce Speedway Motorsports will build a track in the Atlantic City area. Three sites are being considered, including the current Atlantic City horse track(RPM2Nite and Matt)(9-10-97)
- (NYSE: TRK), Chairman O. Bruton Smith today announced his intention to build a motorsports facility in the Atlantic City area. According to Smith, three potential sites are being considered for construction of the facility. Because of ongoing negotiations, Smith declined to identify the sites. "This is a great market with more than 62 million people in a 300-mile radius," said Smith. "The enthusiasm from state and local governmental agencies has convinced me to pursue this project." Smith said he is studying "several" facility plans, but emphasized he would construct an oval speedway. He said size of the oval and seating capacity would be announced after a site selection is made. The facility will be built to accommodate various forms of motorsports entertainment including NASCAR stock cars and Indy cars along with automobile shows, concerts and other events.(Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Phatman a reader)(9-10-97)
- More news on the proposed Atlantic City, NJ area race track: "Atlantic City Race Course encountered an unforeseen obstacle Friday in its bid to build an auto speedway. In a written opinion, an attorney for the Hamilton Township Planning Board stated that the track's application for general-development approval of its proposed $50 million to $100 million speedway project cannot be reviewed by either the township planning or
zoning boards"(Atlantic City Press)(8-16-97)
- Local Atlantic City, NJ TV station ran a story announcing that the plans for the
new track(at Atlantic City Horse race track) are being submitted to local officials for approval. The noise barriers that are causing much of the problem are part of the plan(from a reader). See the story at: Racetrack asks Hamilton Township for speedway approval(8-6-97)
- Magnate hopes to get green light for race track: Bruton Smith's proposed project in Atlantic County, NJ still lacks a definite site and the support of powerful state Senator Bill Gormley. the story about another Atlantic City, NJ track proposal was in The Press of Atlantic City(7-1-97)
- News about the Atlantic City, NJ Race Track: An economic-impact study commissioned by the Atlantic City Race Course predicts NASCAR auto racing at the track would be a boon to the community. This story was in the 6-18-97 edition of the Press of Atlantic City(6-18-97)
- Rumor has it that Bruton Smith may be giving up on the track he was going to build near Atlantic City, NJ because of local resistance. Smith is now interested in a tract of land located on the delaware river in Gloucester County which is owned by Bruce Willis. Willis has been contacted with the help of the Gloucester county commerce dept. It has been said the permission for inspection has been approved by Willis. I hear inspection will take place by Smith's company the week of 6-23-97. Morris County(North Jersey) was being looked at but traffic turned out to be a concern(thanks Dave the Hammer)(6-11-97)
- "Mr. Ed meets Bubba", that was the headline on the sports section of my beloved Philadelphia Daily News. In one of their very rare Auto Racing stories, they profile and report on the proposed Atlantic City Race Course (horse track) expansion to Auto Racing. This is not the Bruton Smith group proposal, this one is much further along and more viable of the two proposals(4-23-97)
- The Press of Atlantic City(NJ) reports that "Speedway Motorsports Inc., owner of five major stock car tracks throughout the country and headed by one of America's wealthiest men, Bruton Smith, is eyeing a site here for auto racing."(3-31-97)
- Atlantic City Race Course (NJ), a horse track, is in the preliminary stages of planning a 1 mile oval around the horse track, like Dover. I hear Penske has some type of involvement with it. Since I am from NJ and work about 2 miles from the site, I think it's great, but I don't expect it to come to fruition. Too many tracks waiting for races and too many others getting built
