NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Phil Nightingale presented to the Hutchinson City Council on what he sees his needs as right now to make the fairgrounds race track work for the 2024 racing season. He started by giving the council an economic impact study done for him by the state.
"If we put 2,061 people in the stands, they say in the impact study that $146,398 would impact our area community," Nightingale said. "It seems like a big number to me, but that's their numbers. I always say, let's cut it in half and see what that's like, so if it's $70,000 per event, we're going to have between eight and nine events depending on weather."
Below is the tentative schedule, as the final contract is due for signatures next week.
2024 Salt City Speedway Schedule:
Fri. April 26 - Grand Opening - URSS Sprints, Mod, Sp. Mod, Stock Car, Hobby, Sp. Compact.
Fri. May 24 - URSS Sprints, Mod, Sp. Mod, Stock Car, Hobby, Sp. Compact
Fri. June 21 - High Plains Late Models, Mod, Sp. Mod, Stock Car, Hobby, Sp. Compact
Fri. July 19 - USAC Silver Crown Qual. URSS Sprint Cars, Mod, Sp. Mod, Stock Car, Hobby, Sp. Compact
Sat. July 20 - USAC Silver Crown 100 laps, URSS Sprints, Support Classes TBA
Sat. Aug. 3 - Mod, Sp. Mod, Stock Car, Hobby, Sp. Compact
Fri. Sept. 20 - URSS Sprints, Final points night for Mod, Sp. Mod, Stock Car, Hobby, Sp. Compact
Sat. Oct 12 - Mod, Sp. Mod, Stock Car, Hobby, Sp. Compact No Points
Sat. Nov. 16 - TBA
"We're going to have an event July 19 and 20," Nightingale said. "We're bringing in the Silver Crown Sprint Cars. That should bring a big, huge crowd. We're already getting a lot of response from people that say they are coming. I would like to see if we could make sure we have enough police support down there around that area, around those two days. The first couple of events, I hope, for what the community has reached out trying to save the track, I think there will be a huge crowd at some of those events. I think at our first event, maybe our first two, there might be some deal."
Nightingale also asked about using city equipment to help maintain the track. Interim City Manager Mary Grace Clements wants to talk to city staff about what they might be able to do or not do, and Nightingale is also going to ask the county, as well as some local businesses for help with equipment for maintenance as well.
"The response we're getting is huge right now," Nightingale said. "The proof's going to be in the pudding. How many people sit in the stands?"
That still remains to be seen, as the racing community has come solidly behind the track saving effort, but without the general public who doesn't have a rooting interest deciding it's worth spending a night out, it will be a challenge.
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