by Don Martin
Jim Price grew up watching races at the legendary Brownstown Speedway located in Southern Indiana. He went from being a fan to putting on a helmet and racing mini-stocks, crates, graduating to driving Super Late Models. He got out of the seat before going broke and being the passionate about dirt racing he decided to put on another hat. This time he is a Promoter, the 49 year old Jim Price has turned promoter to keep him in the game he loves. He never had a favorite racer, he did speak of John Gill, Don O’Neal, and Mike Jewell. He saw them race the most and always appreciated their aggressive styles and as long it was a good show, he really didn’t care who won.
Brownstown Speedway like any race track has had its challenges over the last few seasons and Jim is hoping to try and build it back to what is once was. The Speedway opened in 1952 and is still once of the most recognized bullrings in the country. The ¼ mile banked oval has produced some of the best racing once could ever imagine, you don’t need to be going 100 mph to put on a great show. This place can be a slick as button and then you never know what mother nature has in store for us it could be on the chip, with right rears rocked up!
Price has full support of the Fairboard at Brownstown and they are ready to move forward with not only bringing back the racer but the fan as well. He feels Brownstown is no different than any other major dirt track, they are all battling dwindling car counts and fans.
He doesn’t know the answers but he knows most of the problems today are the costs of the race cars. That challenge has really hit the Super Late Models the most. The motor costs and tires were already becoming a major issue and now the shock and suspension are crippling the sport even more. While the Supers had dropped off a bit, the good news is the crate class has been growing. He has no doubt that the cost has made guys drop in class.
Not only have the Supers dropped but the Open Wheel Modifieds have dropped as well. The only real savings comparing a Super to a first class Mod is the tire bill, otherwise not much different. The purses seem to be the biggest difference, the mods don’t run for half the money a super does.
I was very impressed with Jim knowing what his challenges are, and yet is not afraid and is ready to face the challenges ahead of him.
In less than two weeks the Brownstown Speedway will play host to the 19th Annual Icebreaker on Saturday March 19th. The event will be sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series and will feature a 60 lap race paying $12,000 to win on the historic ¼ mile. Past winners on hand will include 5-Time winner Don O’Neal, 3-Time Winner and defending champion Earl Pearson Jr, and 2-Time and fan favorite John Gill. Other past winners on hand include Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, and Dennis Erb.
Folks this is going to be an exceptional tough field of cars on hand that will include the Lucas regulars such as Tim McCreadie, Brandon Sheppard, Jared Landers, Darrell Lanigan, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jimmy Owens, Steve Francis, and defending series champion Jonathan Davenport. Other drivers expected include the hottest driver in the country Josh Richards and hot dog Bobby Pierce. This is going to be an awesome show – DON’T MISS OUT !!!
The Mods and Crates will also be on hand for $1000 to win each.
Gates Open at Noon
Hot Laps 4:45 PM
Visit www.brownstownspeedway.com for more information.