TERRE HAUTE — By all measures the 2007 motorsports season at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds will go down as one the facility’s most troubling and least productive in recent years.
Shrouded in controversy the Action Track sat idle throughout the summer. Attempts to revive the fortunes of Action City Dragway USA were met with mixed results.
As the season drew to a close, the future of racing at the Fairgrounds was clouded in uncertainty.
In recent weeks, that picture has not only become clearer, but much brighter.
Dragstrip officials have taken preliminary steps to make major improvements to their facility, while Fairgrounds officials are now actively seeking a new promoter for the Action Track after Dave Allison recently agreed to relinquish all promotional rights at the oval.
Fair Board president Dave Hartman has confirmed that local officials and Allison reached an agreement last week to sever their ties.
“Through mutual agreement we parted ways with Dave Allison,” said Hartman. “Pete Plant, the chairman of our race committee, is heading the search for a new promoter. We’ve been approached by several parties regarding the position.”
Although Hartman is reluctant to mention names, former Action Track promoter Bob Sargent is considered a leading candidate for the position.
When reached by telephone last week Sargent acknowledged he has been in contact with Fairgrounds officials.
“We talked for the first time last week. There’s nothing definite, but we will be talking again in the near future. We like the facility what with its tradition and history,” said Sargent, who stages nearly 80 events every season at tracks throughout the Midwest.
A visit to the Fairgrounds shows that work is already underway at the drag strip, where officials hope the lengthening of the shut down area at the eighth-mile strip will make for safer conditions for the racers and help attract bigger and faster fields for 2008.
Co-promoter Dallas Montgomery cites the need for expansion and is excited what the changes will do for racing at the strip.
“We’re going to put down an additional 200 feet of concrete. … major, major improvements that needed to be done,” said Montgomery.
“The track needed to be lengthened. We want to make this a real race track where we can have some faster cars and provide them with ample shutdown area,” he added.
Once the changes are made Montgomery said racers and fans can expect to see the relocation of the starting line and most of the existing steel guardrail replaced by concrete barriers.
When the project is complete there will be about 450 feet of concrete on the 660 foot racing surface.
The privately funded project is part of Montgomery and partner Marty Sabla’s commitment to make the local strip one of the nation’s finest National Hot Rod Association-sanctioned strips.
The strip recently staged a workday to help institute the new changes.
Over 40 volunteers donated their time on a cold blustery day to get the project started. That included a pair of Valley racers who see the improvements as a major plus for racers and fans.
“It’s a positive thing that needed to happen,” Super Pro racer Ron Hayman said. “The cars are so aggressive. You’ve got to have concrete for 150 to 200 feet.”
Newly crowned Super Pro champ Dustin Brenton welcomes the changes.
“Its a win-win situation for every fan who wants to see faster cars. We want to get the track back where it used to be,” said the Rosedale driver.
Nationally recognized NHRA track announcer Nick Agresta says the improvements will have positive and far reaching effects for the track.
“It will take Action City Dragway to a new level. Something that was long overdue,” Agresta said. “It will help usher in a new era. I think you can say the heartbeat of racing at Action City is alive and well.”
Joe Buckles can be reached by mail at the Tribune-Star, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN 47808.
Sports
Idling Action Track will shift gears to new promoter
- Sports
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Two in one: Golfer Brian Brown watches his drive fly towards the second hole at Mark's Par Three golf course on Tuesday. Brown recently hit two holes in one in a week at the course.
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Hughes, News & Views: Terre Haute ‘hacker' accomplishes Mark’s Par Three first
It’s no secret that Mark’s Par Three is not the most difficult golf course in Vigo County.
But it’s enjoyable for beginners and golfers of modest skill levels and it doesn’t lack for activity during warm-weather months.
Open since 1964, it’s had its fair share of players test their skills, probably several better than 43-year-old Brian Brown of Terre Haute. -
Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
At first glance, it would be easy to look at first-year Terre Haute Rex manager Ronnie Prettyman and expect him to have a difficult journey during his maiden voyage as a baseball manager.
Managing in the Prospect League isn’t the easiest job in the world.
Rosters change constantly, especially early in the season when players are still reporting from their college teams. The travel is arduous — a night game in far-off Quincy, Ill., could be followed by a home game, followed by a game at equally far-off Hannibal, Mo. The players have to acclimate themselves to playing every day after having played a maximum of five games a week at the college level. -
Metro roundup: ISU’s Gant to go to Africa with Athletes in Action
Indiana State junior Justin Gant has been invited to travel to the Ivory Coast this summer as part of an Athletes In Action basketball tour.
“I am extremely honored to be given this opportunity to not only play basketball with and against some great players during this tour, but to also share my Christian faith with those in the Ivory Coast,” Gant commented. “I’m looking forward to growing as a person by delivering aid to those in Africa and by sharing my faith with those we come in contact with. This will also be a great chance to continue to improve on the basketball court just before we start our workouts at Indiana State in the fall.” -
Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
In a battle for first place in the West Division of the Prospect League baseball standings, the Terre Haute Rex fell just short Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Seven players from Terre Haute Rex taken in Major League draft
Seven players who are alumni of the Terre Haute Rex in the past four years achieved their dream of becoming professional baseball players when taken in the Major League Baseball draft earlier this month.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Catching up on some things
Catching up — on all-state softball honors and a new basketball coach in Illinois.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Hutson comes home, has personal best
Kylie Hutson returned to her home town Saturday to set a personal outdoor record, clearing 15-feet-5 in highlighting the Sycamore Open pole vault competition at Marks Field.
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Checking in with cancer survivor
The last time the Tribune-Star visited with Amy Bagnoche, July of 2012, she was fighting back tears talking about her own battle with breast cancer and the battles that others were facing.
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
It’s an interesting dance that Wayne Newton Post 346 and Evansville Pate Post 265 have developed in American Legion baseball’s Terre Haute Invitational, and the last waltz was saved for the host team Sunday.
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
Joey DeNato dispelled the notion that College World Series newcomer Indiana is all about offense.
The junior left-hander threw a four-hitter and the Hoosiers looked mighty comfortable at TD Ameritrade Park while beating Louisville 2-0 on Saturday night.
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Hughes, News & Views: Terre Haute ‘hacker' accomplishes Mark’s Par Three first
- Local Interest
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Score: Post 346 runner #6 Jacob Johnson scores after a collision with the Pate catcher in the fourth inning Sunday afternoon.
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
It’s an interesting dance that Wayne Newton Post 346 and Evansville Pate Post 265 have developed in American Legion baseball’s Terre Haute Invitational, and the last waltz was saved for the host team Sunday.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Wayne Newton 2-1 on young season
Wayne Newton Post 346 improved to 2-1 in American Legion baseball with a late 8-3 victory over Effingham on Thursday night.
Craig Peters was winning pitcher for Post 346 and T.J. Decker and Cody Thornton led a 16-hit attack with three hits each. -
Rex looking to return to pitching dominance Sunday against Springfield
During a 7-1 start and franchise-best seven-game winning streak, Terre Haute Rex pitching was the catalyst. Through eight games, the Rex led the Prospect League with an earned-run average of 1.11.
Even after giving up 10 runs Friday night in a 10-6 loss to the Quincy Gems, the Rex (7-2) are still the league leader in ERA at 2.09. -
FROM TERRE HAUTE TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES: Former Scamore hurlers doing well in White Sox system
Brian Omogrosso was promoted to Chicago and appeared in 11 games. The big right-hander compiled a 5.14 earned-run average in 14 innings of relief. He struck out 14 and walked seven.
- COLLEGE REPORT: Wabash College All-American relay team has TH flavor
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
- High School
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Goatee, Bertoli ran away with Spring Athlete of the Year
When honoring athletes after a season of excellence, the phrase “what might have been” doesn’t usually come up.
But in the case of Terre Haute South’s Jackson Bertoli and Terre Haute North’s TaPring Goatee – the Tribune-Star’s Athletes of the Year for spring sports – there’s an air of unfinished business despite obvious recent successes.
- Post 346 opens tournament with two victories
- North boys move up to 13th in golf state finals
- Big hill to climb for North golf
- Top of her game
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- College
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Indiana starting pitcher Joey DeNato (23) celebrates throwing out Louisville's Coco Johnson (20) at first for the second out in the bottom of the ninth inning in an NCAA College World Series game in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, June 15, 2013 (AP Photo/The World-Herald, Ryan Soderlin) MAGS OUT; ALL NEBRASKA LOCAL BROADCAST TV OUT
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
Joey DeNato dispelled the notion that College World Series newcomer Indiana is all about offense.
The junior left-hander threw a four-hitter and the Hoosiers looked mighty comfortable at TD Ameritrade Park while beating Louisville 2-0 on Saturday night. -
Etherington, Moore happy to be with ISU basketball
Not even two weeks into their college experience, Indiana State freshmen men’s basketball players Alex Etherington and Demetrius Moore stood sentinel as 115 kids ran around them collecting basketballs and getting autographs at the Greg Lansing Basketball Camp on Thursday.
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ISU's Johnson invited to World University Games
Indiana State senior Felisha Johnson will be traveling the world this summer after being named to represent the United States in the women’s shot put at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
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FROM THE PRESS BOX: Close, but no cigar, theme for ISU sports in 2012-13
When I covered my first event of Indiana State’s 2012-13 season — ISU’s opening football game at Indiana — I was the first one in the press box at IU’s Memorial Stadium. I’m never the first one in the press box.
Maybe the prospect of ISU’s season had me so pumped that I decided to get it started close to three hours early? (Or more truthfully, maybe I was over-vigilent about predicted traffic horrors on the Indiana 46 bypass that never came to pass.) -
Q&A: ISU football coach Mike Sanford ready for fall
It’s hard to believe, but Mike Sanford has already been Indiana State’s football coach for six months.
Time flies, but Sanford’s task of preparing for his first season in charge of the Sycamores comes with few breaks.
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
- Sports Columns
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Two in one: Golfer Brian Brown watches his drive fly towards the second hole at Mark's Par Three golf course on Tuesday. Brown recently hit two holes in one in a week at the course.
-
Hughes, News & Views: Terre Haute ‘hacker' accomplishes Mark’s Par Three first
It’s no secret that Mark’s Par Three is not the most difficult golf course in Vigo County.
But it’s enjoyable for beginners and golfers of modest skill levels and it doesn’t lack for activity during warm-weather months.
Open since 1964, it’s had its fair share of players test their skills, probably several better than 43-year-old Brian Brown of Terre Haute. - RAMBLIN’ RECK: Catching up on some things
- TODD GOLDEN: Golf ... the beast within?
- Trackside: Midgets could be on rise in Wabash Valley
- RAMBLIN’ RECK: South grad helps VU to national golf title
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Hughes, News & Views: Terre Haute ‘hacker' accomplishes Mark’s Par Three first
- Pro Sports
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has quickly earned a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up a bit.
- Deacon Jones of famed Fearsome Foursome dead at 74
- Seeking elite status
- Luck having fun with his first OTAs
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
- Terre Haute Rex
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Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
At first glance, it would be easy to look at first-year Terre Haute Rex manager Ronnie Prettyman and expect him to have a difficult journey during his maiden voyage as a baseball manager.
Managing in the Prospect League isn’t the easiest job in the world.
Rosters change constantly, especially early in the season when players are still reporting from their college teams. The travel is arduous — a night game in far-off Quincy, Ill., could be followed by a home game, followed by a game at equally far-off Hannibal, Mo. The players have to acclimate themselves to playing every day after having played a maximum of five games a week at the college level. - Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
- Sliders’ frustration against Rex continues
- Sanchez stays hot to lead Rex to victory
- Rex fall at home to Sliders
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Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
- Colts
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has quickly earned a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up a bit.
- Landry believes he'll acclimate to Colts system
- Colts in harmony with new coordinator Hamilton
- Pagano amazed by collection of veterans
- Opening Day: Terre Haute Rex host Quincy
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
- Auto Racing
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Winner's kiss: Tony Kanaan of KV Racing Technology kisses the yard of bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday. Kanaan won his first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday and kissed the bricks as part of a tradition at the Motor Speedway.
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Kanaan can: Tony Kanaan finally wins Indy 500, ends heartbreak
Tony Kanaan had been so close so many times in the Indianapolis 500 until Sunday. Now he’s a winner.
- Crowd, competitors erupt in celebration for Brazilian driver
- Rookies fare well in 97th running of the Indy 500
- Top guns, again
- Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
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Kanaan can: Tony Kanaan finally wins Indy 500, ends heartbreak
LeBron: Best game I've ever been a part of
Wimbledon Women's Preview
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
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Ginobili: We let go
Spoelstra: 'Game 7' the best two words in sports
Pop: Get on the bus for Game 7
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Duncan falters in second half of Game 6
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Quenneville: Game 4 is must-win
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Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
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