POSTED JANUARY 17, 2026

What ever happened to the mild winter we were supposed to have? November was cold, December colder and now January a literal deep freeze! Hopefully this means a mild spring and an early end to winter! Like maybe around February 23 when we run February Follies II! Of all the years for a harsh winter to come in it had to be this winter, the first winter after "winterizing" the track! We have mucho problems with frozen pipes but after this winter we should have them figured out and be ready for the next winter! Ran into a bunch of racers Thursday night at an area eatery! John and Joe Fitzpatrick, Dennis, Christy, Danny, Paula Zimmerman and Susan Beers! Well it turns out the deal of Dennis buying Paul Scott's car fell through but I found out it is John (the father) Fitzpatrick who will be driving a ss truck in 2003! His MS will be driven by his brother from Claypool! Christy and Sue are driving MS also! Plus the Zimmerman's have a cousin from Shipshewana who is driving a SS! Danny was really excited about his new MTC and says it will be really fast! Had a call from a Chicago area racer who says he is running South Bend on Friday nights and then Mottville! More and more it looks like the MS class will be our largest class for 2003! Had an email from Brian Jenkins a few days ago and he says he may return to Mottville in 2003 with same car but legal engine! He would be good competition for Zimmerman and Garrett, that is for certain! Throw Derk Sargent in the mix and you have a good start to the MTC class! Plus Richard Allbee may have a MTC as well! Been negotiating for a really big show for 2003! I seriously doubt we will get it done but it would be the biggest show we have put on since 1995! Expensive outside show and in order for it to work the organization would have to come up some serious sponsorship money but you never know! I received a brochure from Kentucky Motor Speedway this week. They run only 4 week-ends per year! 8 days total! Ticket prices are $30 for ARCA cars, $45-$75 each for Busch Series, $35-$65 for the Craftsman Trucks and $35-$65 for the IRL! Some serious money! Saw in one or our local papers a new 32 lane bowling center is coming to Elkhart! Much competition for the entertainment dollar! Much more than a few years ago that is for certain! Yet another reason why we do not try for the big crowds at Mottville! One of our area tracks finally got their rules out and for their MS class they allowing tube cars! Basically "late model Mini Stocks"! They seem to do well with them but the expense of what started out as an "economy" class is amazing! We are currently in the middle of my least favorite time of the year! Insurance business is generally slow in January and no racing! But only 4 weeks now until our 12th Annual Awards Banquet and 5 weeks until February Follies II! 6 weeks until regular racing starts again on Saturday and Sunday! The awards banquet looks like our biggest one ever and we have about 50-60 plaques/trophies to give out! Still looking for sponsors but plan on wrapping that up next week! So if you are coming and hope to receive a plaque you need to get your ticket money to me by the end of next week! After that we will still sell tickets but too late for plaques! Hope everyone is staying warm during this artic blast and think spring, warm and racing!