For Attica Raceway Park promoter John Bores and General Manager Rex LeJeune today’s announcement of the Brad Doty Classic returning to Attica in 2016 a whirlwind of events coming full circle. Bores and LeJeune took over at Attica right after the announcement that the Doty Classic was moving to Limaland Motorsports Park in the midst of some uncertainty over the future at the 1/3-mile oval in the sleepy town of Attica, Ohio. Over the past 10 years of hard work and paying attention to minute details the return of the Doty Classic is a product of their efforts.
Attica Raceway Park is still the new kid in the neighborhood compared to its sprint car neighbor in Fremont. Attica has played a very important role in the sprint car scene of Northern Ohio giving teams a Friday night home, setting the standard for an efficiently run program, and filling a void for years when Fremont was dormant to keep 410 sprint car racing alive in Northern Ohio.
Since Bores and LeJeune took over the facility has seen some nice capital improvements, but the one thing I notice is their attention to detail. Little thinks like making sure certain things around the facility are painted nicely, the infield is well kept, and everything appears clean and professional.
One question people answered though was if the Doty Classic would ever return to Attica. Rumors began to circulate about this possibility around the Knoxville Nationals. When questioned though LeJeune said it wasn’t presented to them as an option. When the opportunity presented itself officially a few weeks ago Bores and LeJeune made it happen. While it did mean giving up the June date, having one of the most high profile events in sprint car racing return to where it was started was too good the pass up.
The Doty Classic has evolved since leaving Attica. It’s now a full World of Outlaws event has continued to increase in stature. Drivers don’t want to win the Doty Classic just because of the first place pay out, they want to win it in tribute to its namesake Brad Doty, who is one of the most respected figures in all of Sprint Car Racing. Attica’s location further north and east could provide Eastern race teams incentive to make the trip.
The decision to move the event to Attica was probably not an easy decision for Doty. With connections at both facilities knowing Brad it was something he put great thought into since this past July. Limaland is an amazing facility and race track and has done a great job partnering to grow the event during his run at Lima.
For LeJeune this has to be particularly exciting. Working as the head flagman at Attica during the first Doty Classic Rex has some amazing stories about the event that I’m sure will be told as the race draws closer. Even the very mild manner, softly spoken Bores has to be beaming at the prospect of the return of such a high profile event to the track that started it.
10 years ago it appeared the Doty Classic may never return to Attica. Bores and his staff have put themselves in position to take advantage of the opportunity to bring it back, not but luck, but with hard work and perseverance.
Notebook:
- Chris Andrews announced Tuesday morning he is parting ways with the Mintz racing team. Andrews indicated his future at this time is unknown. Early indications are the 19 team will be in action next season with a driver to be named later.
- Sheldon Haudenschild and Tucker Klassmeyer picked up the final two invitations to the Midget Car portion of the Bad Boy Buggies Indy Indoors Invatational event for December at Bakers Life Fieldhouse. Haudenschild won the fan vote while Klassmeyer was invited through the loyalty program setup through race organizers.
- Fred Rahmer Promotions announced their 2016 slate of events via social media on Tuesday. Rahmer has events for 410 sprint cars and 600cc micro sprints at Path Valley Speedway on May 1st, June 26th, and August 28th. The June event will be part of Central Pennsylvania Speedweek.
- Kasey Kahne will take over the Great Clips twitter account tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. EST time. Follow along by clicking here.
- Sheldon Haudenschild announced he will drive for Keith Kunz Motorsports at the World Finals in Charlotte while Jac will drive the Indy Race Parts owned car.