Columbus, Mississippi (12/15/08 ) - Magnolia Motor Speedway, the “South’s Premier Dirt Track,” officially announced today that long time Columbus resident and race track promoter, Johnny Stokes, has taken on additional duties as General Manager of Magnolia Motor Speedway.
Magnolia Motorplex Associates LLC, purchased the property, including the Speedway, in February 2008.
“Because the purchase happened right as the season was getting underway, we basically made the commitment to keep things status quo for the first season,” said Dan White, Regional VP. “We were doing good just to get our schedule out, talk to potential sponsors, get the rules posted, line up staffing, and get right into racing.”
“We learned a lot about the community, the race fans, the competitors, and the dirt track racing industry as a whole in our first season.” said White. “Chuck Cook, one of the original owners and builders of the speedway, along with his staff, was a tremendous help in making it as smooth as possible during this transition year. We would like to thank them for their help and certainly hope they will choose to stay involved in the racing industry.”
“With a full season under our belts, our vision for the future became very clear. We realized that we needed to form as strong an alliance as possible with the mainstay of dirt track racing in the area, Columbus Speedway, and its 8 year promoter, Johnny Stokes. It was no longer viable to be adversaries if racing was going to prosper in Columbus,” continued White.
When circumstances arose that would allow Stokes, who was the 2007 Promoter of the Year for NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, to take on additional duties in track promoting, it just made all the sense in the world to combine the efforts of both tracks. “It’s not too often you get the chance to hire one of the best in the business to run your operation,” commented White. “We are excited to have him on board”
Stokes will continue to operate Columbus Speedway and will be responsible for the day to day operation of both tracks, including scheduling events that will provide the best competition, entertainment for the fans, along with insuring all of the fine sponsors will be receiving the best value for their advertising dollar.
Both race tracks are very unique with their totally different racing surfaces, setups, and driving techniques. “We plan on making the Columbus area “The place to be” when it comes to dirt track racing,” said Stokes. “We should be able to provide plenty of racing, along with different conditions that will prepare the competitors for other tracks around the country, right here in Columbus,” One of the new programs that is in the works will allow for the continued growth of the talent pool in our area. “We will be announcing these programs in the near future,” continued Stokes.
“Once the season was over we were able to discuss short term and long terms goals for each track, including personal goals. The more we spoke, the more we realized the visions for each of us were the same and it made sense to put it all together under one roof sort of to speak,” concluded Stokes.
“Magnolia Motorplex Associates would like to thank all of the fans, competitors, sponsors, and co-workers for their hospitality and patience in this transition year. We are anxious to build working relationships and alliances that will provide the best opportunities to be successful as we move forward,” concluded White.
For more information on Magnolia Motor Speedway, please visit www.MagnoliaMotorSpeedway.net .
Magnolia Motorplex Associates LLC, purchased the property, including the Speedway, in February 2008.
“Because the purchase happened right as the season was getting underway, we basically made the commitment to keep things status quo for the first season,” said Dan White, Regional VP. “We were doing good just to get our schedule out, talk to potential sponsors, get the rules posted, line up staffing, and get right into racing.”
“We learned a lot about the community, the race fans, the competitors, and the dirt track racing industry as a whole in our first season.” said White. “Chuck Cook, one of the original owners and builders of the speedway, along with his staff, was a tremendous help in making it as smooth as possible during this transition year. We would like to thank them for their help and certainly hope they will choose to stay involved in the racing industry.”
“With a full season under our belts, our vision for the future became very clear. We realized that we needed to form as strong an alliance as possible with the mainstay of dirt track racing in the area, Columbus Speedway, and its 8 year promoter, Johnny Stokes. It was no longer viable to be adversaries if racing was going to prosper in Columbus,” continued White.
When circumstances arose that would allow Stokes, who was the 2007 Promoter of the Year for NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, to take on additional duties in track promoting, it just made all the sense in the world to combine the efforts of both tracks. “It’s not too often you get the chance to hire one of the best in the business to run your operation,” commented White. “We are excited to have him on board”
Stokes will continue to operate Columbus Speedway and will be responsible for the day to day operation of both tracks, including scheduling events that will provide the best competition, entertainment for the fans, along with insuring all of the fine sponsors will be receiving the best value for their advertising dollar.
Both race tracks are very unique with their totally different racing surfaces, setups, and driving techniques. “We plan on making the Columbus area “The place to be” when it comes to dirt track racing,” said Stokes. “We should be able to provide plenty of racing, along with different conditions that will prepare the competitors for other tracks around the country, right here in Columbus,” One of the new programs that is in the works will allow for the continued growth of the talent pool in our area. “We will be announcing these programs in the near future,” continued Stokes.
“Once the season was over we were able to discuss short term and long terms goals for each track, including personal goals. The more we spoke, the more we realized the visions for each of us were the same and it made sense to put it all together under one roof sort of to speak,” concluded Stokes.
“Magnolia Motorplex Associates would like to thank all of the fans, competitors, sponsors, and co-workers for their hospitality and patience in this transition year. We are anxious to build working relationships and alliances that will provide the best opportunities to be successful as we move forward,” concluded White.
For more information on Magnolia Motor Speedway, please visit www.MagnoliaMotorSpeedway.net .
