Silly season extends beyond the racers

The Silly Season is the time of the racing season when we hear about sponsor announcements, driver changes, and touring series schedules. But for the 2009 offseason in California, the Silly Season has included management changes at as many as four race tracks.

After averaging 20 asphalt NASCAR Late Models per race in 2009, All American Speedway and the Placer County Fairgounds in Roseville, Calif. made the surprise decision in October to let go Director of Competition Jeff Macey and Director of Operations Dennis Gage. Macey, former President and General Manager of Altamont Raceway Park, had joined the program in spring of 2009. Gage, who works with Padjen Motorsports promotions, had been with the speedway since 2007. Both were veterans of motorsports who had run a pretty good show in light of the serious economic woes facing America today.

Rumors swirled that Steve Fensler from the Stockcar Racing League was going to take over for both positions. But announced yesterday on the All American Speedway website "AAS has immediate opening for a Program Manager...AAS is seeking a Director of Competition." The site also has applications posted and they are due December 7. The timing of this is obviously not ideal, with sponsorships on the table and touring series schedules yet to be finalized. Will the speedway have a representative at the promoters workshop? That is yet to be seen.

There are at least three dirt tracks with possible changes coming for 2010. After Merced Speedway announced it was closing, many have pointed to Kenny Shepherd to step in and take over the speedway. Shepherd would have a monopoly at tracks within the central valley with Merced, Chowchilla, and Madera, and that is almost a necessity because the tracks are in such close proximity.

Antioch Speedway and Kings Speedway are also rumored to be moving to new promoters.

The task of taking over a race track is a huge undertaking, but even more so in this economy and at this late of a date. Hopefully all four tracks find promoters and are running strong this spring.