RALEIGH, NC :: Wake County Speedway hopes to build off a successful 2013 season. Wake County’s car counts are up and his fan counts are up – a trend track owner Adam Resnick hopes to continue in 2014. Resnick has already announced a number of unconventional promotions, saying he wants to reward loyalty.
“It’s going to be a really good year if everything I’m hearing is true,” Resnick said. “A lot of people are talking really good things so I hope it comes to fruition. Even last year, after we regrouped halfway through the season, every week was better. The fan count went up, the racing was good and car counts were decent. It’s hard to increase your fan count every week. The grandstands were packed by the end of the year.”
Resnick feels it’s entirely possible the season opening race at Wake County, set for Friday, April 4th, could see 20 Late Models. He says he intends to reward loyalty by virtue of a bonus to full-time competitors at the end of the season as well as through the ‘Race to Riches’.
“I hope to maintain car counts,” Resnick stated. “I hope to have the same number each week. If a Late Model runs all the races, he gets a thousand dollar bonus at the end of the year. If they run 75% of the races, they get an entry in the chance to win in the Race to Riches. I’m just trying to look out for the racers. If someone’s loyal to me, I’ll reward them.”
The season will unofficially begin on Friday night, March 21st when the track hosts an open test. Along with the Late Models, the track will also host the Southern Ground Pounders Vintage Racing Club, USAC Honda Midgets and a $3,000-to-win Super Late Model race which will be held on August 30th.
“Racing’s a hard business to be in right now,” Resnick said about the challenges of running a racetrack. “It’s hard to maintain a car count and keep it going.”
Resnick, who races himself, also spoke about the importance of cutting drivers a break on tire costs.
“I’m doing free tires the first week for LMSC. Regular races, it will be $160 for tires. When you allow sticker tires, you’re not just paying tires for the race; you have to bolt them on to practice on. When I run a Late Model, I don’t dare practice without sticker tires.”
Andy Hillenburg will be the race director at Wake County Speedway and Dillon Motor Speedway owner Ron Barfield will assist in Wake County’s Mini Stock Mayhem race.
Resnick feels the most important thing to remember is that he is also a racer and he knows what they want and he plans to give it to them at Wake County Speedway.
“Being a regular person, I’m not a wealthy person, I’ve worked on my own racecar, I believe it makes a difference. Racers like racers and it helps. I know what I want for it to be affordable to go racing and you want to be rewarded for loyalty.”
Wake County’s season opener will be on Friday, April 4th. RACE22.com will have Five Star Bodies Interactive Race Coverage of the event.
