| Huntsville Speedway has New Owner and It is a Dear Friend of Florida Speedways | by Ronnie White
SANFORD, Fla. -- Businessman Martin Pierce officially took over the keys to the quarter-mile asphalt track from Madison homebuilder Bruce Stone at noon Friday, sealing a deal that took more than four months to complete.
"We're ready to get started," Pierce said. "We've got the telephones switched over with the same numbers and we have turned on the power and water at the track. I've got a few more things I have to do in Florida, but I hope to have the Speedway office open by the first week in February."
Pierce, 49, has never owned a speedway, but his 21-year-old son Marty has been racing at several Florida tracks in the Late Model division. Pierce and his wife Dawn have two sons, Marty and Shanze, and a daughter, Kimmi.
Pierce was planning to spend the weekend looking for a new home here before returning to Florida on Tuesday.
"It was kind of sad in a way," Stone said. "My family and I have had a lot of fun at the track.
"The track has had some trouble the past few years, but I just hope the racing community, drivers and fans will give Martin a chance. I honestly believe he can turn it around."
Pierce has already posted the new race rules and schedule on his new Web site - www.huntsvillespeedway.us.
The Late Model Stock Car division will return to Huntsville Speedway with a 12-race schedule that will include nine 50-lappers, two 75-lappers and a 150-lap season finale, paying $3,000 to win.
Pierce is also planning to keep all of the other divisions and will showcase the Super Modified division with four 75-lap races throughout the year, paying $1,500 to win.
"I know the drivers are wondering about the rules, but we have made very few changes," Pierce said. "We are planning to the keep the Hoosier tires and we might make a few tire changes in some of the other classes."
Pierce is also considering adding a new division called the Cowboy Cadillac class, which will feature Hobby Cup pickup trucks.
"The Cowboy Cadillac pickup trucks have really gone over well in Florida," Pierce said. "I would like to start off by combining the Hobby Cup cars with the pickups and later turn them into two classes."
Pierce's 29-week race schedule will open on March 24 and close on Oct. 15.
"We might have to make a few changes with the schedule, but we have several special events scheduled, including three O'Reilly Southern All-Stars SuperTruck Racing Series," Pierce said. "Those three truck races will be held on Sunday afternoons. We are also planning to bring the Outlaw Sprint Cars back."
Pierce will open the year with two practice sessions on March 11 and 18.
Even though the final papers were not signed until Friday, Pierce and his family have been working on the schedule and rules for the track since early November.
"We haven't been able to do anything officially, but we have been working on everything to make sure we have a smooth transition when we open the season," Pierce said. "We've got a lot of ideas and we are looking forward to the challenge.
"We're here to stay. This is not a side job. I've sold my company in Florida and I'm putting a lot of money into the track to make sure it works. I just want everyone to give us a chance to show them that we will have one of the nicest tracks you will find anywhere."
Stone had mixed emotions about selling the track.
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