Speculation Continues About USA Sale - Next Big Race is Sept 1
By Jack Smith
The (Lakeland) Ledger put out a speculative blurb in their business section last month about the pending sale of USA International Speedway. We spoke with the writer of the story and frankly, we came away with the idea the story was slightly more than rumor based with a tiny slice of truth. That truth is nearly all race tracks are for sale under the right circumstances, regardless of the owner's commitment to the sport.
Today the Tampa Tribune is running a story headlined "Economics Could Lead To Sale Of USA Speedway".
In the article Billy Martino is quoted as saying "My passion is racing, but unfortunately we're forced with the reality of how to survive," Martino said. "It puts the pressure on us to perform."
Owner Tony Amico, who purchased the property from Hooters after Robert Brooks died last year, said "If someone came to me tomorrow and offered me enough money, I'd sell."
It would seem, based on the realties that Amico is a businessman who bought the property as a real estate investment, that if fans want to be able to see racing at the spacious 3/4 mile speedway, they will need to support it in a big way.
The track is the pride of Florida short track racing, and it's loss to the racing community would be huge. USAR Hooters ProCup and ARCA race there now, and it would not be a stretch to see some ASA shows there in the future.
Last month some fans on local message boards cried foul on the speedway's pricing of the second leg of the Florida Triple Crown. The speedway had a very good crowd of approximately 3,000 by unofficial estimates.
The next event on the schedule at USA International Speedway is the third leg of the Florida Triple Crown on September 1. The main event is the FASCAR Sunoco Sunbelt Series 200 followed by the FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Series 100.
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Without USA International the state will lack a first class non-NASCAR facilty for the state's racers to really show their stuff. It would be more than likely a morale killer for an industry already feeling intense pressure even while owner/promoters have been seeing an upswing in the last 18 months.
USA International Speedway has been taking actions "outside the box" this year under the direction of Billy Martino to increase attendance and revenues.
Hopefully the fans will get behind the speedway, attend the events in support of the track and we can have this great resource well into the future.
