Speedway Benefits Provides a Breath of Fresh Air to Promoters at PRI-Indy

Humpy Wheeler’s brainchild, Speedway Benefits, a marketing alliance and consortium of over 350 grassroots race tracks makes history again, just barely one year after its inception. Speedway Benefits held their inaugural Promoter’s Conference for short tracks on Friday, December 12, 2014 at the Performance Racing Industry Show at Indianapolis, IN. Keynote speaker, and Speedway Benefits’ Chairman, Humpy Wheeler, stated, “I could not be more pleased with the support and enthusiasm of the tracks in attendance. The atmosphere has changed; we are seeing a real shift in attitude of these promoters. It’s a resurgence in our industry that we’ve not seen, maybe ever.”

Coming off a fantastic reception at the WARPA (Western Auto Racing Promoters Association) meeting, the team was especially eager to be a part of the largest racing gathering in the country. “Between WARPA and PRI, the Speedway Benefits team has put on some of the best promoter’s sessions I’ve been to in years. Trip’s sponsorship presentation was very informative and taught us how to present our program to potential sponsors with a professional edge. I gained a deeper insight into the opportunities from social media and how it can truly bring dollars and fans to my tracks from Terri and Clint’s presentation. I look forward to using the new tools and information I learned as we move into the 2015 season,” said Skagit Speedway and Grays Harbor Raceway’s, Steve Beitler.

The one day conference featured experts from the Speedway Benefits team, special guests and industry leaders. Dave Despain of MAVTV explained that Speedway Benefit’s sole purpose is to serve its membership and grow the sport. By having a team dedicated to the grassroots and short track industry, promoters and track owners of all geography, skill level, promotional experience and track size can benefit from the savings, learning and support of this unique situation. “For the first time in years I feel good about my future as a track owner. I finally feel like someone is in our corner and together we can take back what we have lost,” said Tony Izzo of LaSalle Speedway.

Humpy Wheeler kicked off the conference followed by informative ‘how-to’ sessions on social media, concessions and selling sponsorships. “This conference was well worth everyone’s time. In this day and age of change, and the need to communicate with others, this was a breath of fresh air. It was insightful and very well planned out. I would recommend the next one to everyone in the motorsports entertainment business,” said long time promoter of multiple tracks, Bob Sargent.

The conference concluded with an all-star lineup of experts in a round table dubbed ‘Humpy’s Heroes’ which included Ken Schrader, David Stremme, Bob Sargent and CEO of dirtondirt.com, Michael Rigsby. A Speedway Benefits member summed up the roundtable with, “Motorsports will continue to move in the right direction as was seen this weekend with promoters from several states taking the time to share the good and bad as we did at the Speedway Benefits workshop.”

Steve Sinclair of Wilmot Raceway echoed many of the comments from the day with,“This was a watershed event for Speedway Benefits. I learned more today than any show I’ve ever been to. And I go to more shows than anyone.”

Speedway Benefits PR