Behind every rumor...

(Val) Well, here it is, 6:23 on a Tuesday morning and already I am making a correction to the post I created yesterday. Fortunately, it is a good correction, and one that I am happy to share with St. Louis Sprint Car fans.

Below is the letter announcing the retirement of Butch Wood as promoter of Jacksonville, and no, that's not the happy part. Butch has done a wonderful job of promoting this track for many years, and he will be greatly missed. He's a very nice guy, and I wish him and his wife all the best on their retirement.

The happy part is that the new promoter has stated that he will continue to run Sprint Cars on a weekly basis. Yay! That is great news for those of us who love to watch these awesome cars on this wonderful track.

You can read the entire release below. Yes, I should have known better than to even mention this rumor yesterday. I've learned my lesson! Now, if anyone needs me, I'll be here at my computer, dining on my big breakfast of crow...

JACKSONVILLE RACEWAY PRESS RELEASE:

Jacksonville Raceway Promoter Announces Retirement

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. -- Jacksonville Raceway promoter will retire from promoting at the end of the 2006 racing season.

I would like to thank race fans, sponsor, drivers and all my employees who have been with me throughout the last 20 years. I feel very proud to have accomplished 20 years and some very impressive drivers who have visited our track and continued on in there racing careers. This decision was very hard to come to but there is a time in life where we have to know it can be better for the sport to bring new and younger people in with new ideas and a harder drive.

Our new promoters for Jacksonville Raceway was accepted by the Morgan County fair board at there annual meeting. The new promoter is Bill West Jr. and his wife Kim. I think along with his father Bill they will keep exciting racing for the fans at Jacksonville. Bill has plans of running UMP sanction with Late Model, Modifieds, and Street Stock, and Sprint cars.

The last race of the season will be Friday September 29 the Shaheen Race. This race has been a yearly race for the past several years, after the Shaheen race track closed in Springfield, Illinois. The race pays $3500 to win sprint car feature, also running are the UMP Modifieds and UMP Street Stocks.

Last but not least I hope that the community and race fans will continue to support racing in Jacksonville.

Thank you,

Butch & Laura Wood

LAST RACE OF THE SEASON: Friday September 29. Shaheen Back from the past $3500 to win sprints.