By Bryan Hulbert
TULSA, Okla. (May 12, 2014) – In light of recent events, officials in the corporate offices of the American Sprint Car Series in Tulsa, Okla. have spoken with the owner of Willamette Speedway and Cottage Grove Speedway, Jerry Schram, who also heads up the Northwest Region of the American Sprint Car Series.
For the 2014 season, the Northwest Region will remain under the ASCS banner, with eyes to the future of the sport and the goal of growing Sprint Car racing in the greater Northwest.
“We don’t have any animosity towards Jerry,” said ASCS National Coordinator, Matt Ward. “It’s unfortunate that things this year didn’t work out, but after talking with Jerry and getting things sorted out, in the long run, I think things are going to be better for Sprint Car racing in the Northwest. Our fans in the Northwest are some of the best in the nation. We owe it to them to bring a better show, and to also show our support of the ASCS Northwest Region.”
Among the issues discussed, is to make sure that tracks in Washington are included in future Regional and National schedules. “We do need to include the tracks in Washington and Oregon. We need to do this as a team if we want to see this sport grow and stay alive,” said Jerry of plans for the region.
Asked about the National Tour’s swing into the Northwest in 2015, Jerry replied, “We’re going to move it back to July and work from there to get as many races as we can.”
Before hanging up, Jerry offered this to the fans that support the ASCS Northwest Region, “I’m in it for the long run, and I’m in it to better the sport. This isn’t how I make a living, so again, I’m in this for the sport and the love racing, not to make a fortune off it.”
The 2014 season for the ASCS Northwest Region will begin with a four-day swing, starting at the Southern Oregon Speedway (Medford) on May 22, followed by the Willamette Speedway (Lebanon) on May 23, and ending with a double-header at the Cottage Grove Speedway on May 24 and 25.
For continued updates on the ASCS Northwest Region, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com or the series website at http://www.ascsnorthwest.com.