A letter from tony stewart
 

To our loyal fans,

There are many of you, fans and competitors alike, who are upset with our handling of last weekend’s Coca-Cola Spring Classic USAC/UMP DIRTcar Modifieds event. Quite frankly, you should be, for our track surface wasn’t up to our own high standards and our communication regarding the challenges we faced was also lacking to the fans that made the trip to our facility.

First and foremost, on behalf of Eldora Speedway, I apologize for the track conditions and our overall handling of the situation. It was unacceptable and a situation we are extremely regretful of. However, I can promise you that we will do everything possible to make it right and hopefully regain the confidence of our participants and fans.

Immediately following Friday night’s cancellation, equipment was on the track. By mid-morning on Saturday, the track was being groomed into racing condition – only to fall victim to heavy afternoon showers and yet another cancellation.

Our efforts to get the track into proper racing condition have been ongoing all week and will continue until it is exactly where it needs to be. We’re confident our work will be successful, and once we are ready, we will host an open practice session to any and all competitors at no charge. The grandstands will be open to the public as well. We have rain in the forecast the next couple of days, so we’ll announce the practice day and time as soon as we are able to evaluate the timing of the track preparation.

We’d also like to remind all of our ticketholders to last weekend’s Coca-Cola Spring Classic that their ticket value can be applied to any future event at Eldora Speedway with available seating. The Friday leg of the Coca-Cola Spring Classic featuring the USAC Sprint Car Series and the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds will also be re-scheduled for a TBA date.

Please accept our sincerest apology for last weekend’s unfortunate outcome. While some other racetracks were able to overcome pre-season weather woes, our track surface proved especially challenging due to the adverse weather combined with the minimal time we had to bond the new clay we added to the racing surface in the off-season.

Even with ideal weather conditions on Friday, it wasn’t enough to help us get the track in racing shape. And in our eagerness to put on a show for the drivers, USAC and the fans, we pushed the envelope. We thought we could get it right in time, but in hindsight, we should have canceled before the event and not put our fans, sanctioning bodies and drivers in the situation we did.

This is not an indication of what our track will be like this year or how we represent ourselves to our constituents. We foresee an excellent racing surface with the kind of top-notch competition our fans and drivers have come to expect and deserve of Eldora Speedway.

Sincerely,


this was from tony is name wouldn't copy and paste you can find it on Eldora's web site

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

I just got the same email in reply to one I sent, sorry but 6 months to get a new track surface worked in is plenty of time. I'll be spending my racing funds elsewhere this year... what little will be left if I buy this Harley I'm looking at....lol

A letter of apology and understanding: Asked for it-got it.
I can't agree enough that this show should've been called about Wednesday. But it wasn't. Everybody learns a lesson in it.

I'm ok with it. IF I HAD BEEN THERE, a letter won't put gas money back in my pocket or time back at work, but communication goes a long way with me.

Maybe nobody there had seen what not enough good prep can cause with new clay. That can't be said again. At least not by they who were charged to provide a good surface.

Next time, don't call a turd a rose. Flush it before it stinks!
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Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by racerdog45:
I just got the same email in reply to one I sent, sorry but 6 months to get a new track surface worked in is plenty of time. I'll be spending my racing funds elsewhere this year... what little will be left if I buy this Harley I'm looking at....lol

I rode my Harley 3 1/2 hours down there .. It still sucked big time .. I sure hope Tony isnt Bsing us but only time will tell.. Last year I went to the burg and another track (cant remember the name) and I was impressed. Hardly any dust at all. There is no excuse for having a mess like that.. If I remember right Larry was in charge of the all star millstream race last summer also and you couldnt see ***** there either.. I know he was there in some form of higher up role ?... Id like to ride to Eldora on the H/D again but id also like to see a race :)
Dave

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by n8dc:
I rode my Harley 3 1/2 hours down there .. It still sucked big time .. I sure hope Tony isnt Bsing us but only time will tell.. Last year I went to the burg and another track (cant remember the name) and I was impressed. Hardly any dust at all. There is no excuse for having a mess like that.. If I remember right Larry was in charge of the all star millstream race last summer also and you couldnt see ***** there either.. I know he was there in some form of higher up role ?... Id like to ride to Eldora on the H/D again but id also like to see a race :)
Dave

If I buy it my racing funds are going to be GREATLY decreased this year, lol, but the ride to and from the track will but a little more enjoyable! 46 years old so time to get another one while I'm young enough to enjoy it. Maybe NEXT year I'll ride it up to Eldora once, just to check things out.....

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

I can understand the frustration of the fans that were there, but Tony's apology seems real. For the folks who still seem upset, I ask - What else could he have done?

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by racerdog45:
If I buy it my racing funds are going to be GREATLY decreased this year, lol, but the ride to and from the track will but a little more enjoyable! 46 years old so time to get another one while I'm young enough to enjoy it. Maybe NEXT year I'll ride it up to Eldora once, just to check things out.....

Only 46 :).. Im gonna be 59 9/11 ... Buy the harley ride and enjoy ! Im wondering what your looking at . Ive got a glide classic an 06.
I think there is a pm message on here so we can keep it off this thread..
Also I do hope Tony is sincere cause I really like the guy :)..
Dave:22:

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Thanks for the apology but that doesnt give me my 4 hours there and 4 hours back, gas money, and most of all a blown Easter weekend

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Grow up , get over it and get on with your life and stop crying,
What are you a 5 year old ?

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

From 2007:
ELDORA TRACK PREP CONTINUES

STEWART ADDRESSES ELDORA TRACK CONDITIONS

ROSSBURG, OH (April 17) -- “It just wasn’t right, and we intend to fix it”, is how Tony Stewart summed up the first night of racing at his Eldora (OH) Speedway. Tony’s dedicated crew put in many long hours over the winter months in an ambitious construction project to address last year’s criticism of one-groove racing on the historic one-half mile clay oval.

That project involved a tremendous amount of clay being hauled in and a lot of heavy equipment shaping the clay into form. Deep into the project, the inclement weather that inundated the Midwest handcuffed the preparation. Finding nice days to work on the surface came at a premium, and for several days leading up the onset of the season, heavy rains and wet snow hampered the finishing touches.

Stewart summed up the situation as “going into our first race, there was some uncertainty. We were pleased with the work that had been done, but there was still the unknown. That is why, even after mid-week cold temperatures forced a cancellation of our April 7 race, we wanted to still hold an open practice session that afternoon. Unfortunately it got snowed and frozen out, so we entered the World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint race on April 13 with a untested race track.”

He continued, “none of us were satisfied with the results and we will improve it. We all know that what separates Eldora from every other race track in the Nation are three things - speed, slide jobs and bravery, as the drivers run on the ragged edge of the high banks, pushing the right rear tire as close to the outside wall as humanly possible. We intend to get it back that way.”

With that said, crews, under the direction of General Manager Larry Kemp, have been working daily on the race track. Stewart and Kemp are confident that with some weather cooperation the job can be completed quickly.

They both agreed, “give us some time, and we’ll get it right - in fact, we’re not quitting until it is right.”

Eldora’s next event is slated for Saturday, April 28, with the United States Auto Club (USAC) non-winged Sprints appearing for leg number two of the Curb Records Border Wars event.

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

The above post is from 2007, in case you missed the date, and we will be returning to the "Big E" only if Bloomington, Gas City, Haubstadt, Lawranceburg, Kokomo, Putnamville, Paragon, Vernon, Terre Haute, Brownstown or any other local track THAT GIVES A DAMN is not running heads up against them. I'll be "over it" when I damn well please. Remember, we all vote with our dollars so reward those that provide the best product. Have a great, and safe, summer of racing. Steve & Christie Bloomington

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Tony didnt even write that...he paid someone to write it. Pay someone who knows how to prep a track and fire the bums that are running Big E to the ground! Or build more suites and pave the damn thing, its no use to me like it is.

Originally Posted by DIRT-TRACK-JUNKIE:
Thanks for the apology but that doesnt give me my 4 hours there and 4 hours back, gas money, and most of all a blown Easter weekend

Just drank 4 hours with sweeney tonight. Can I get that time back?
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Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

That's longer then he was at Eldusta Friday:5:

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by LittleRube:
Just drank 4 hours with sweeney tonight. Can I get that time back?
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Rube,

You can't ask for time back. You should know that by know. Besides, the stories alone had to be worth a bunch.:8: Priceless I would say.:6:

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by LittleRube:
Just drank 4 hours with sweeney tonight. Can I get that time back?
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sounds like your having a GOOD TIME way would you want it back

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Anybody that was at Eldora has a reason to be pissed. Bottom line Tony did not wake up Friday morning thinking how can I make tonight a waste for everybody walking thru the gate. Tony has given his word to make things better, I believe him.

This is off topic but I remember a few years ago asking Tony at Kokomo if my nephew Brad could get a picture with him, Tony dropped what he was doing and took the time to make Brad feel like his best friend, this may not sound like much but Brad had just had a foot removed, born with spina bifida Brad Has not had anything easy but to this day he still talks about the few min. he had with his hero.

I think we need to give him a break and give him a chance to make good on his word after all he has done more good than bad.

J.M.O.

Jerry Spencer #66j

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

If you're like me and tend to also enjoy pavement racing - sprints, midgets, supermodifieds and Silver Crown, the the track prep concern is almost nonexistent.:6:

IMO, dirt is good, but pavement is a little better.

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by kevracer58:
i can understand the frustration of the fans that were there, but tony's apology seems real. For the folks who still seem upset, i ask - what else could he have done?

he needs to hire someone that can do this right!!!!!!!!!!!! And fire larry & larry!

---------- Post added at 08:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 AM ----------

Originally Posted by jerry spencer:
anybody that was at eldora has a reason to be pissed. Bottom line tony did not wake up friday morning thinking how can i make tonight a waste for everybody walking thru the gate. Tony has given his word to make things better, i believe him.

This is off topic but i remember a few years ago asking tony at kokomo if my nephew brad could get a picture with him, tony dropped what he was doing and took the time to make brad feel like his best friend, this may not sound like much but brad had just had a foot removed, born with spina bifida brad has not had anything easy but to this day he still talks about the few min. He had with his hero.

I think we need to give him a break and give him a chance to make good on his word after all he has done more good than bad.

J.m.o.

Jerry spencer #66j

tony is a good guy! But he needs change in personal at the track!:22:

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

I am glad Tony has responded with the open letter on Eldora's website, but there is a problem with Eldora's response. As compensation for their lack of track prep, we have been offered the opportunity to use our stub as a cash value raincheck good for any event this season. But that does not compensate those of us who have decided they will not be going back to Eldora this year.

They blew a marvelous opportunity. With all the continuing improvements to the facility and the really big crowd on hand for a USAC show, we were treated to a farm implement parade.

It's really too bad. But until they prove on a consistent basis that they can prep a track for a USAC show, I will spend my money elsewhere.

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Go to Eldora's Website and they are offering refunds thru October. The website says you can get a refund in person or through the mail.

Tim Wolffrum aka Cowboy

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

still pissed! is it just me or is mostly the USAC shows that we wait for at the big E that seem to get the short end of things. treated like a second hand show in recent years. why no 10 or 25 grand to win USAC shows? year after year usac fans (the club that made Tony) have had to endure set back after set back with the surface there. Think of how big the usac crowds would be without the disappointments. most of us still come back but i know quite a few that have thrown in the towel.

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Forgiveness? Yeah, I can forgive. The problem is, Forgetting!

"WE" Participants and FANS were treated as if we were unimportant to their track and the event that was to take place..

I forgive, But like others have said, It'd be the last place I go is someplace as close was running also.

Chuck

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by Seadog:
If you're like me and tend to also enjoy pavement racing - sprints, midgets, supermodifieds and Silver Crown, the the track prep concern is almost nonexistent.:6:

IMO, dirt is good, but pavement is a little better.

Pavement is for getting to the track....DIRT is for racin' !!!!

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Originally Posted by v8j:
get over it every body makes a mistake

Its not a mistake its the norm for that place for a while now. Edit that to constant mistakes...

Re: A letter from tony stewart
 

Sorry, this is nothing new under the Stewart regime and a mealy mouthed piece from a PR guy doesn't really change anything. All winter is long enough. Dirt track prep is something of a art but not rocket science.
FOR ME, HEADS MUST ROLL AND SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ARE DUE OR I'M DONE