- Gateway Unaffected by Friday Morning Earthquake: An earthquake originating near the Illinois-Indiana border early Friday morning was felt throughout and Midwest, causing minor damage in the St. Louis area. Gateway International Raceway, located across the Mississippi River from the Gateway City, was not affected by the quake that is said to have ranged between 5.2-5.4 on the Richter scale.(Gateway Raceway PR)(4-18-2008)
- Gateway VP/GM honored: Gateway International Raceway Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki was recently honored by the St. Louis Auto Racing Fan Club with its Outstanding Media award. The award is given during the organization’s annual Banquet of Champions. Batycki was recognized for his work as host of “Gateway to Motorsports,” a weekly racing radio show airing on Team 1380 KSLG in St. Louis.(GIR PR)(2-3-2008)
- Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers to Sponsor GIR Nationwide Race: The Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers have been named as the title sponsor for the 2008 Nationwide Series race at Gateway International Raceway and will now be called the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. The 50-dealer organization moves to the Nationwide event after a successful decade of sponsoring GIR's Craftsman Truck Series races. The announcement was made today at the St. Louis Auto Show by Kenny Wallace, who chose his native St. Louis to disclose his own plans for 2008, announcing he will drive a Fitz Motorsports Dodge in the Nationwide Series in 2008 as a teammate to Mike Bliss. To be a part of the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway International Raceway, call 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com.(GIR PR)(1-25-2008)
- Gateway Event Tix on Sale: Gateway International Raceway announced it is now selling single-event tickets for its two NASCAR races this year, the Nationwide Series race on July 19 and the Craftsman Truck Series race on Sept. 6. Previously, the tickets were available as a NASCAR Track Pack, where race fans could purchase a ticket for both events for one low price. NASCAR Track Packs are also still available, allowing race fans the ability to purchase tickets for both events for one low price, as well as receive free parking and infield passes. To purchase Nationwide Series tickets, Craftsman Truck Series tickets, or your NASCAR Track Pack, call Gateway International Raceway at 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com.(GIR PR)(1-9-2008)
- Gateway Announces Hiring of Brandon Mudd as PR Manager: Gateway International Raceway Vice President and General
Manager Lenny Batycki announced the hiring of Brandon Mudd as the organization's new public and media relations manager. Mudd is a former motorsports reporter and show host at 590 the Fan KFNS in St. Louis and a racing reporter for various national, regional and local print, broadcast and internet entities. Mudd will be the official public spokesperson and media coordinator for the track during its more than 100 annual events. Events include NHRA weekly and National events on the facilities quarter-mile drag strip, its Busch and
Craftsmen Truck Series and ARCA events on the 1.25-mile oval, and the multitude of SCCA and other club events on the raceway's 1.8 mile road course.(GIR PR)(6-21-2007)
- Individual Oval Event Tickets On Sale Jan 22 at Gateway: Gateway International Raceway announced that individual race tickets for the 2007 Oval season would go on sale next Monday, January 22 at 8 AM. Fans can call 1-866-35-SPEED (7-7333), or log onto www.gatewayraceway.com to purchase tickets. As in 2006, prices will remain the same for all events [Busch Series, ARCA and Truck Series](GIR PR)(1-19-2007)
- Batycki appointed VP & GM of Gateway International Raceway: Gateway International Raceway announced the hiring of
veteran motorsports executive Lenny Batycki as Vice President and General Manager. Batycki will assume responsibility for all day-to-day operations and staff at the multi-purpose motorsports facility near St. Louis. In the shadow of the famed Gateway Arch, the 1.25-mile Gateway International Raceway plays host to NASCAR's Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, as well as the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals. The track begins its 11th season of operations in 2007. Batycki comes to Gateway International Raceway with more than 15 years of experience in senior motorsports management. He was most recently team president of Biagi DenBeste Racing, owner of the No. 4 NASCAR Busch Series team. Batycki handled all of the team's business affairs, contract negotiations, and directed
their public relations efforts and website. Batycki will relocate to the St. Louis area from Charlotte with his wife Annette and son Jake.(Gateway International Raceway PR)(11-28-2006)
- Dodge and Gateway Announce Sponsorship Extension: Gateway International Raceway announced that Dodge has signed a four-year extension through 2009 as the primary sponsor of the Dodge Ram Tough 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race. 2006 will be the 9th consecutive year that Dodge has been a track sponsor and the title sponsor of the Ram Tough 200, which will run at Gateway on April 29 at 7:00pm/ct. Defending Truck Series Champion Ted Musgrave will look for his third career win at Gateway (2001 and 2005) when he returns to run the race. The 2005 Ram Tough 200 was the only race Musgrave won during the season en route to his first career NASCAR Series title. As in 2001, Musgrave also took the pole for the 2005 race. "The Dodge Dealers have arguably been the most important partner in the ten-year history of Gateway and we are thrilled that they will return for four more years," said Matt Strelo the Vice President & General Manager of Gateway International Raceway. "In 2005, all three of our major event champions (Busch-Sorenson, Truck-Musgrave, and ARCA-Miller) had a Dodge Ram on their hood which makes this partnership even more special." Oval season tickets are on sale now for just $ 125 for adults and $ 65 for children 12 and under. NHRA 3-day adult passes are available for $ 125. Nitro 3-day passes are $ 135 while all children 3-day passes are available for $ 60. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 866-35-SPEED (7-7333). Individual tickets for all events will go on sale on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 8 AM.(Gateway International Raceway PR)(1-7-2006)
- Gateway still hopefull of landing a Cup race: The goal of Gateway International Raceway has and always will be landing a NASCAR Nextel Cup race, the premier motorsports series in the country. Until then, Gateway officials are content making the best with the handful of major events they have. "That's all we can do," said Matt Strelo, general manager of Gateway. "We've proven our worth the last couple of years," Strelo said. "Our truck race is now one of the strongest standalone truck races in the country, if not the strongest. Our Busch race has the largest purse and is becoming one of the largest standalone Busch races in the country. Our drag races are doing great and has moved into being one of the stronger NHRA events. It is what it is. We're obviously not perfect, but we've gotten a lot better looking in the last few years." Becoming more attractive to the eyes of NASCAR is important. The success of the Charter 250 -- which was seen by a record crowd of 55,000 on Saturday -- can only enhance Gateway's standing in NASCAR headquarters. Realistically, Strelo knows Gateway is a longshot to land a Cup race. "But I think we have a chance, and that chance is better than it has been in six or seven years," he said. Heightening Gateway's optimism is talk of rearranging the Nextel Cup schedule. The current schedule is comprised of 38 races packed into a 41-week period. Expanding the schedule is impossibile, so relocating races from tracks with two traditionally scheduled Nextel Cup events to different sites is the next option. Last year, NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. singled out St. Louis, Nashville and the state of Kentucky as attractive new Nextel Cup markets, should a realignment take place. "Kentucky and Nashville have newer, nicer facilities, but we have a bigger market," Strelo said. "We have a much better location than those two. "We're four minutes from 8,500 luxury hotel rooms and the most marketable landmark in the Midwest. In the other two situations, they are between 40 and 50 minutes outside of a major metropolitan area." In Gateway's favor is lights for nighttime racing, the 20th-largest television market and plans for additional seating (the track can seat up to 70,000). Lately, NASCAR has been targeting the southwestern United States, adding races in Las Vegas and California. Strelo said he's trying to keep Gateway in the best possible position.(Belleville News Democrat)(5-11-2004)
- Congressman Jerry Costello To Start Charter 250; Joe Buck Announced As Honorary Starter: Gateway International Raceway announced that US Congressman Jerry F. Costello and National Sports Broadcaster Joe Buck will take part in the NASCAR Charter 250 race on Saturday night, May 8 as official and honorary starters respectively. U.S. Congressman Jerry F. Costello will officially begin the event when he utters the most famous words in racing, "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" He first took office in August of 1988 to fill the term of late U.S. Representative Melvin Price. Currently in the midst of his 16th year, Costello is a former St. Clair County Board chairman who is also on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Fox National and St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Joe Buck will serve as honorary starter waving the green flag to begin the Charter 250. Few broadcasters are as well known and regarded nationally as Buck. He is the only broadcaster to call both the Super Bowl and the World Series in the same year, and is a 3-time Emmy winner. Buck began his broadcasting career in 1991 following in the footsteps of his legendary father Jack calling games for the Cardinals. Purchase the best seats and receive great perks in a Gateway season tickets package, starting at only $115. Season Ticket packages include the ARCA RE/MAX Series race on July 16, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and Travis Tritt concert on July 17. To purchase tickets call Gateway at 1-866-35-SPEED or log onto www.gatewayraceway.com.(5-5-2004)
- Charter 250 to run May 8th at Gateway: Gateway International Raceway announced that Charter Communications would once again sponsor the NASCAR Busch Series Event on Saturday, May 8, 2004. The green-flag will drop at 7:00 PM and be followed by a spectacular fireworks show and concert by star country music group Diamond Rio. New for 2004, Charter Communications a full-season NASCAR Busch Series primary sponsor for Greg Biffle and #60. Ticket prices for the Charter 250 range from $45-$60 (1/2 price for kids 12 and under). You can also purchase the best seats and receive great perks in a Gateway season tickets package, starting at only $115. Season Ticket packages include the ARCA RE/MAX Series race on July 16, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and Travis Tritt concert on July 17. To purchase tickets call Gateway at 1-866-35-SPEED or log onto www.gatewayraceway.com.(Gateway International Motorsports PR)(3-18-2004)
- Gateway Grand Marshal: Marine Pvt. Adrian Fakes, wounded in the battle of Al-Nasiryah during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March, will be the Grand Marshal for this year’s Charter Pipeline 250 at Gateway International Raceway. Fakes, a 21-year-old from Elsberry, Mo., is a member of the Second Combat Engineers Battallion. He was coming from the southern Iraqi city where he had succeeded in destroying a military installation when his unit encountered machine gun, grenade and rocket fire from Iraqi forces. He was wounded in the leg during the action.(Gateway International Raceway PR)(5-8-2003)
- Gateway Honorary Starter: Tony Twist, one of the most popular players in St. Louis Blues history will serve as Honorary Starter for the Charter Pipeline 250 Busch Series race May 10 at Gateway International Raceway. Twist, whose charitable and community work in the St. Louis area is as legendary as the right hook he used so effectively in his nine-year National Hockey League career, will drop the green flag in this year’s Busch Series race. Before the race, there will be a huge salute to God, Family and Country. We will honor the men and women of the Armed Forces both here at Scott Air Force Base and overseas. After the race, set for approximately 3:00pm/et, fans will be treated to a free post-race concert by Academy of Country Music Vocal Group of the Year Lonestar.(Gateway PR)(5-6-2003)
- Gateway gets a sponsor: Gateway International Raceway announced today that Charter Pipeline will be the title sponsor of its May 10 Charter Pipeline 250 Busch Series race at Gateway International Raceway. Charter Pipeline, the high-speed internet service offered by St. Louis-based Charter Communications, also sponsored last year's race. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-28-2003)
- Gateway to move to May? An official with Dover Motorsports Inc., which owns and operates Gateway International Raceway, said July 19 that a request has been made to NASCAR for the track’s race to be moved to May next year so the event could be held in cooler weather. The track first held a Busch Series race in July 1997, when it was a day race that featured numerous problems related to the heat. The race was moved to October in 1998, and then back to July in 1999, when its first night race was held. Even under the lights, racing near St. Louis in July has been brutal due to extremely high temperatures and humidity. The high temperature for the July 20 Charter Pipeline 250 was 96 degrees, with a heat index of 107.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to read)(7-25-2002)
- Gateway Close to Sponsor UPDATE: Gateway International Raceway hopes to have a sponsor "within a week or so" for this year's BGN race according to vice president/general manager Matt Strelo. Strelo said the track has reached a verbal agreement with a sponsor and that the contract is "waiting for a signature." The contract is for one year, but "it's a short-term deal with long-term possibilities," he said.(St Louis Post Dispatch)(4-4-2002)
UPDATE: hearing Charter Communications will be the sponsor of the BGN race.(4-6-2002)
UPDATE 2: St. Louis-based Charter Communications will be named Monday as the title sponsor of the BGN race at Gateway International Raceway. The race, which takes place on July 20, will be called the Charter Communications 250. Charter signed a one-year contract with Gateway. Charter replaces Carquest Auto Parts as the title sponsor.(St Louis Post Dispatch)(4-9-2002)
- Nashville, Homestead and Gateway gets IRL races: The IRL on Sunday announced its 2001 schedule, which includes a race at Nashville Superspeedway on July 21 to be televised on ESPN. The 50,000-seat facility in Wilson County is scheduled to open in April(Tennessean)
AND The Grand Prix of Miami will have a new look and feel when the race returns to South Florida next Spring as the Indy Racing Northern Light Series becomes the new sanctioning body for the event, Homestead-Miami Speedway President Curtis Gray announced Monday. The Grand Prix of Miami is set for April 8, 2001(Homestead Miami Site)
AND Less than a week after Gateway officials learned that CART would not return to the facility in Madison after this September's race, the Indy Racing League filled the void. The IRL will stage a 300-mile event on Gateway's 1.25-mile oval on Aug. 26, 2001 and will be televised nationally by ESPN(St Louis Post Dispatch)(6-20-2000)
- Gateway to Cup? Gateway International Speedway track officials are preparing a bid to secure a Winston Cup race at Gateway for the 2001 season. NASCAR will announce next season's schedule in August(approx). If Gateway gets a Winston Cup race, Ulione said construction will start immediately on a major new grandstand in Turns 3 and 4 that will expand Gateway's seating capacity from 60,000 seats to nearly 140,000 seats. A new $1.4 million pedestrian and small vehicle tunnel built underneath the start of the front straightaway. The tunnel -- with two 9-foot-high by 12-foot-wide portals -- was started last fall and completed earlier this month. Pavers regraded the 140-footsection of the front straightaway and finished laying three levels of asphalt used to resurface the area Friday. Construction of the tunnel allowed Gateway officials to remove the old Firestone pedestrian bridge, which hampered lines of sight through Turns 3 and 4 and the start of the main straightaway. It also clears the way for expansion on the north end of the track(That's Racin') also see the St Louis Post-Dispatch story: If Gateway can land a Winston Cup race, expansion will follow(4-2-2000)
- Gateway Tunnel: A tunnel is being built at the exit of turn four were the old Firestone pedestrian bridge was located at the Gateway International Raceway. The tunnel is part of Gateway's continued capitol improvement and expansion program and will be in place for the new 2000 racing season which will start with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series in May(Promotions Plus)(1-3-2000)
- Gateway and Cup? Fans at Gateway International Raceway have spoken, and they want NASCAR to listen closely. They want a NASCAR Winston Cup race. There was an estimated 60,000 who braved the heat and a brief prerace rain Saturday to watch Carquest 250, a BGN event. Track officials no longer release attendance figures, but Gateway spokesman Pete Wickham was pleased with the crowd that saw the first major race under the oval's new lights. See the full story at: Gateway crowd gives hopes for Winston Cup race(8-2-1999)
- St Louis? Bruton Smith, who owns the tracks at Bristol, Charlotte, Texas, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Sears Point, is looking at the possibility of building a track near St. Louis, according to sources close to Smith. Also, Bill France is pondering the feasibility of a track near Houston(PitNow) St Loius? Huh? What about Gateway??(5-18-1999)
- Gateway International Race promoter Chris Pook said Friday that about 20,000 more seats will be added to Gateway in Turns 1 and 2 before next season and lights also will be installed. The 1999 BGN schedule has not been released but rumor has it that this event will be moved back to July, as it was in 1997, but will be run at night. Current capacity of the track is 62,000.(Jane Miller/Journal Star)(10-19-98)
- Rod Wolter of Gateway International Raceway remains convinced that the St. Louis-area track will get a Winston Cup race, probably in the year 2000. The grandstands will be increased to hold 85,000 spectators by next year. The plans call for upping that to 120,000 by 2000. See the rest of the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Site: Gateway International hopes to lure Winston Cup race.(thanks to Bruce for the heads up on the story)(7-12-98)
- Gateway International Raceway track officials announced that Carquest Auto Parts had signed a three-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series race for the next three years.(Speedworld)(1-12-98)
- Just another note on the track problems at Gateway in St. Louis. Seems the culprit in the failed surface stems from the EPA changing the additive in the asphalt to something more "environmental friendly" and no one had any experience with the new additive.(8-29-97)
- "Gateway paving repairs completed: Pavers completed repair work on the 1.25-mile Gateway International Raceway oval -- less than two weeks after the Gateway 300 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race in which heat-related problems caused a breakdown of the racing surface in the turns"(NASCAR Online Newsletter)(8-12-97)
- Penske Motorsports and the International Speedway Corp. have each bought a 7% minority share of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach(GPALB). GPALB currently operates Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill. and Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tenn. They also promote the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach CART event, held in Long Beach, CA(RPM2Nite and iRace)(8-12-97)
- I hear the Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis is also under consideration for a Winston Cup race in 1998, I personally feel they will wait to see how the BGN race goes first. I wonder if they will consider Pikes Peak race track in Colorado, that's a nice track(7-15-97)
