stateline 5/13

About time, Hope for 2014

STATELINE SPEEDWAY TO OPEN IN JULY, RENOVATIONS TO HIGHLIGHT 59th SEASON
WINSTON-SALEM, NC, May 13 – Short Track Management, LLC, (STM) owned by Bill and Dr. Lynne Catania formerly of Westfield, New York, have come to agreement with Seamen’s Speedway, Inc., owner and operator of Stateline Speedway in Busti, New York, to operate the 58 year old one-third mile dirt track beginning in July and continuing through the month of October. The parties have also executed a Letter of Intent (LOI) which will allow Short Track Management, LLC to purchase the facility, which is expected to close during the 3rd quarter of 2014.
STM has planned an 18 month-long renovation plan that will begin this week and will continue through the balance of the 2015 racing season. Renovations for the July 5th opening include:
Complete replacement of the front straight away grandstands (Pennsylvania Side)
Increased seat size from 10” width to 12” width
Repair of the back straight away Grand Stands (New York Side)
Fresh paint on Track Wall, Buildings, Press Tower, Grandstands
Excavation and drainage improvements in the fan and pit parking lots and walkways
Asphalt millings on heavily trafficked walkways
Addition of a “Kid Zone” playground
Dedicated alcohol and tobacco free Family Seating
Application for liquor license and sale of alcohol on both sides of the facility
Addition of Pit Grand Stands
Expanded areas for Billboard signage and Value-Added Marketing Partnerships
High volume Corporate Sales & Hospitality Events
Bill Catania Jr. is no stranger to the region or to racing in the tri-state area having began his racing career at Eriez Speedway in 1993 in the Street Stock division and competing from 1994-1999 at both Stateline and Eriez in the Limited Late Model class, where he claimed one feature winand numerous top-10 point honors. Catania’s grandfather, Marion Catania, began fielding cars at Stateline Speedway with driver Don Strain in 1960 in the Jalopy class. Catania’s father, Bill Catania Sr., began competing at Stateline and Eriez in 1974 and is a two-time Track and Circuit Champion. The elder Catania will serve as President and General Manager of Stateline Speedway with a strong emphasis on Operations, Competition and Facility Management.
“Our investments will be focused first and foremost on improving the fan experience and making sure our drivers – who are also our customers – feel they have a safe, affordable and competitive environment to race”, stated Catania Jr. When I was growing up Stateline was the undeniable “Crown Jewel” track in the north east for dirt late model racing and we will be very aggressive at restoring Stateline’s reputation as a track that hosts major national dirt late model events in which our local drivers have a great shot at winning!
Class structure will remain the same for the duration of 2014 and will be re-evaluated after a series of competitor meetings for 2015. STM plans to meet with competitors throughout the 2014 racing season and no later than October to finalize 2015 rules. “As a racing competitor, I know how valuable the off-season preparation time can be; be it preparing for rules changes, gearing up to run a different class or securing sponsorship dollars. If we do make changes in 2015, we want to give our teams the maximum amount of time to prepare and re-tool”, stated Catania. While the schedule is still being finalized and will be announced in the coming weeks, the Julian Buesink Memorial event will highlight the 2014 schedule. The Julian Buesink Super Late Model Memorial, will be run in honor of local NASCAR Champion team owner Julian Buesink. In 2015, Stateline will feature a “Triple Crown Legacy” Series with a total of (3) Major Super Late Model events, including the Julian Buesink, Lloyd Moore and Billy Rexford Memorial events. A separate “Triple Crown Legacy” Championship Point fund will be paid for the top-10 point scoring drivers in this mini-series.
On June 26th, one week prior to opening, Stateline Speedway will host an open practice and “Night of Champions”, honoring our racing champions and top-10 in points from the 2013 racing season, who will be presented with Cash and Trophies for their accomplishments. Race fans will be admitted FREE in the grandstand area and can observe practice, enjoy the concessions, win door prizes and explore the new and exciting renovations.
Short Track Management has retained the services of NitroQuest Media Group to develop a new and “fan interactive” website, which will be launched prior to opening night. Stay tuned to Facebook for our 2014 schedule, sponsorship announcements, as well as photos of renovations, fan/driver surveys and improvements.
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