Oklahoma City, OK — (May 21, 2013) — Riverside I-44 Speedway was destroyed on Monday in the storms that rolled through the Oklahoma City metro area. The race track and home of promoters Mark Banister and Gloria Olexia took a direct hit from a Tornado. Mark and Gloria’s daughter Stephanie, who is 10 weeks pregnant, was at home during the time of the storm. Thankfully they were able to free Stephanie from the wreckage approximately 20 minutes after the storm rolled through unharmed.
The grandstands were completely ripped from the grounds and spread throughout the facility, all but one light pole was brought to the ground, and all of the track equipment was destroyed. The only surviving structure at the race track was the concession stand.
Track publicist Cody Morris indicated in an e-mail on Tuesday morning that plans are being formed to rebuild the track, hopefully in time for the Mini Sprint Nationals in early August and to continue the track’s new midget car division afterwards.
“We are the last track in Oklahoma City – an area with over 80 years of racing history,” said Morris. “Thankfully the promoter carried premium insurance on the track (unlike so many). It will take a lot of time and effort, but we hope to be back soon.”
Images courtesy of Cody Morris…
