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Potawatomi And 1Prospect Step Up For 2006
Antigo, WI: While many tracks have begun their 2006 racing seasons, the
Langlade County Fairgrounds are completing the final preparations to ready
Wisconsin’s largest clay oval for what looks to be a banner year. This
past Tuesday night at the monthly membership meeting, the track was presented
with a sponsorship donation by the Forrest County Potawatomi Community for
$100,000 towards the 2006 season. Vice-Chairman of the Forrest
Potawatomi tribe, Al Milham, made a formal presentation in front of the
membership present, stating “We are pleased to be a part of the Antigo Stock
Car Association racing program and glad we as a tribe are able to assist,
financially.” The donation was designated for track maintenance and
operations ($25,000); season point fund ($15,000); “Indian Summer Classic”
($15,000); double payouts ($40,000) and the “Summer Sizzler” IRA Sprint
race ($5,000). In closing, Vice-Chairman Milham concluded by
wishing all of the drivers a safe race season.
In addition, Jason Neilitz of 1Prospect Technologies was also on hand to
formally present ASCI with two laptop computer systems to compliment the
desktop system already donated. 1Prospect Technologies, (located in
Crandon, WI), has also been instrumental in upgrading the Association’s
accounting software and systems to provide a faster and more reliable
reporting system to it’s members and sanctioning bodies. The Langlade
County Fairgrounds run a program which includes WISSOTA Late Models and Street
Stocks as well as IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars. Rounding out the
program are ASCI’s own race trucks which shows signs of growing in 2006 as
well.
Antigo Stock Car Inc (ASCI) President Marc Johnson accepted the donation on
behalf of ASCI and its membership. “I am very proud and gracious of
the support of both the Forrest County Potawatomi Community and 1
Prospect. It’s because of them, and others that step forward in the
community that we are even able to provide a weekly racing program, not to
mention keep it at this level. I just can’t say enough about them and
their help and I hope that it continues to strengthen as we keep moving
forward.”
Among the major renovations include the upgrade of the guardrail from turn one
to turn two. “This is a huge project that had to be done.” commented
ASCI Vice-President Paul Pittman. “The guardrail was slowly being
overcome by the track surface and there were a few concerns about the support
posts behind the steel railing. The decision was made to replace all of
the posts with longer rail-road ties and then complete the project by
inspecting and replacing the existing guardrail as needed. Then there
was the labor of the project. I can’t say enough about the folks in
Antigo that truly support this track and the sport. They are right there
every Saturday, giving up their family time and other projects to make sure
this is completed in time for the season opener on May 19th.” Fans
will definitely notice the improvements upon arrival to the grandstands as
evident by the higher railing through the turns.
Marc Johnson also addressed those returning to the speedway in 2006 as track
volunteers and workers. “We are blessed by a loyal and knowledgeable
staff, terrific volunteers and some of the best fans you will find
anywhere. Our volunteers are our life’s blood. They give up so
much to help out, often for nothing more than a complaint or sarcastic
remark. It take’s a rare person to be able to do this week in and week
out and still come back next week. Our staff and crews have more than
proven their worth over the past few weeks. It’s really hard to
believe the amount of work that has already been accomplished in such a short
amount of time. Yes, there is still a lot to go and it needs to be
completed before a car can hit the track, but in reality, I know we are asking
a lot of some of these people yet they are making this all possible.”
Pittman added: “Having the right equipment makes some of this go a lot
smoother, but it still takes raw hard work and devotion to do it. It
would be very easy to find excuses to not come out and help, but I haven’t
heard a single complaint from anyone. It’s refreshing and
invigorating. It is also a good reason to believe that what is in store
for everyone in 2006 will be something to be seen to be believed.”
The 2006 season is scheduled to get underway on Friday, May 19th with a full
race program on tap. For complete scheduling or more information, please
visit the track’s website at www.langladespeedway.com.
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