Indianapolis, December 7, 2017 – The Indianapolis Speedrome, the historic central Indiana short track that began racing in 1941, well known around the globe as the World’s Home of Figure 8 racing, announced today that it had signed with two well-known industry leaders of their fields as entitlement partners for the facility. The new official title of the track will be the Tom Wood Group Indianapolis Speedrome Powered by Lincoln Tech.
“I am so very proud of this new partnership,” declared track president and General Manager Jonathan Byrd. “The Speedrome had a rebirth year in 2017 thanks to new ownership from Kevin Garrigus. This renewed excitement has attracted much interest from track faithful, in the surrounding community, and outside the city limits. The new title sponsor alliance and the Speedrome have much to offer each other, and we look forward to continue providing the best short track racing experience to the fans and the community.”
William Demaree, Group Director of Fixed Operations for the Tom Wood Group, stated, “The Indianapolis Speedrome’s competitors and fans represent the type of folks we are looking to become not only customers of Tom Wood and all of our brands, but we see great potential for them to become career Tom Wood Group employees and ambassadors. What the Speedrome has done to bring fans out this past year has been impressive, and we are happy to help continue the legacy of the track for many years.”
Daniel Richins, the President of the Lincoln Tech’s Indianapolis campus added, “We’re excited to be a part of the upcoming seasons at this historic track. Drivers like Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart, and A.J. Foyt have raced here. For more than 70 years the Speedrome has been an Indiana landmark, and we’re proud to have our name on this iconic site. Lincoln Tech looks forward to being the presenting sponsor of the Tom Wood Group Indianapolis Speedrome tradition for years to come.”
As 2018 unfolds, look for many exciting announcements to be made involving Tom Wood, Lincoln Tech, and the Speedrome for the fans that attend the events.
The Tom Wood Group is celebrating its 50th year in 2017. Mr. Wood’s initial auto sales lot launched not far from the Speedrome at 3125 E. Washington Street. Since then, Tom Wood has grown to be a leader in the automotive industry. They have 18 dealerships throughout the Midwest handling a diverse range of new and pre-owned vehicles. In addition to these franchises, there is Tom Wood Rental, Collision, Aviation, Powersports, and Outdoor as well as Wood Group Insurance, Quality Leasing, and Premier Acceptance. Every Tom Wood Group employee strives daily to make each guest a loyal and satisfied customer for life. They stand on their success.
Lincoln Tech is a powerhouse in providing hands-on training in automotive and skilled trade professions. Their Indianapolis campus provides enrollees a fantastic opportunity to take control of their future. They can practice the latest techniques on CNC machines, get automotive training in the 63,000 square-foot center, or practice electrical and electronic systems technology in a pre-wired smart house. Lincoln Tech’s vast Indy campus also offers 37 auto bays, 16 diesel bays and 4 collision paint booths as well as facilities for Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology students to practice the latest techniques in installation, fiber optic cabling, and fire alarms. These are just the beginning of many ways to enhance one’s future at Lincoln Tech.
The Tom Wood Group Indianapolis Speedrome powered by Lincoln Tech racing season gets underway Saturday night April 7, 2018. The action-packed program is headlined by the track’s signature 50-lap Figure 8. The evenings card includes Late Models, Shelbyville Auto Parts Thundercars, Lawrence Towing Factory Front Wheel Drives, Circle City Pyrotechnics Junior Faskarts, and Superior Finish Lawn & Landscape Legends. Visit Speedrome.com for more information.
2017 IMPROVEMENTS
- New red stained cedar fencing around the spectator area with all new gates
- New black chain link fencing around the property with all new gates
- Main spectator parking lot was seal-coated with expanded handicapped parking
- Secondary parking areas got all new gravel after removing debris and overgrowth
- Main pit area was expanded with lots of new concrete pads and seal-coating
- Secondary pit area was expanded with all new gravel
- The spectator main entrance received new concrete and blacktop areas
- A new spectator concrete walkway was created for the entire south half of the facility
- All the remaining spectator walkways were seal-coated
- New south end restroom building
- All restrooms were totally gutted and renovated with all new equipment
- New stadium front stretch, high-rise, family section seating replacing folding chairs
- Power washed, stained, and replaced 1,000 boards in the bleacher seating sections
- Handicapped seating area was doubled in size
- Every building was upgraded to LED lighting with thousands of feet of new wiring
- New track lighting controls
- New and upgraded public address system as well as fan access on 100.1FM
- New competitor tech area and access road with new in-ground scale pad
- Committed to better enforcement of competitor rules and regulations
- New concrete corner markers as well as concrete repairs on the race track
- Upgraded timing and scoring system with new scoring transponders added
- Pit office was gutted inside and out with all new renovations
- Scoring tower was gutted inside with all new renovations
- New victory lane plaza with camera system to show on the video scoreboard
- New ticket booth and east end concession building
- New south end concession building including a new kitchen area
- Upgraded food menu with affordable pricing and quality options
- Many new concession equipment upgrades including condiment stands
- Hundreds of gallons of paint were applied all around the facility
- Security was upgraded substantially in both spectator or pit areas
- Restroom matrons were on duty cleaning every minute of every event held
- Competitors were paid each night instead of a week later in previous years
- The entire property was cleaned within 24-hours of each and every event
- All signage big and small were upgraded around the facility
- Lowered ticket prices with available discounts and several $5 fan events
- Lowered pit admission with a streamlined pit sign-in and entry process
- Lowered tire prices for our premier series and special events
- Standardized the engine program for our youth racing division
2017 ON TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
- Said thank you to fans with three $5 admission April opening nights of racing
- Introduced the inaugural Spring Shootout 90-Minute Figure 8 in May
- Hosted the National Guard car show in June featuring a Blackhawk Helicopter
- Monster Truck and Freestyle Motocross Show in June
- The highly-anticipated return of the Family Fireworks Show in July
- Had several 100+ car counts in our pit area during the season
- A record-breaking attended World Figure 8 Championship weekend in September
- Popular Front Wheel Drive Demolition Derby and Fun Night in September
- 1st pavement track to receive the Hoosier Auto Racing Fans Top Promoter Award
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2018
- April 7th opening night for our 77th anniversary and 40th year of the Late Models
- April 14th fan appreciation “second” opening night with $5 admission
- Celebration the 1,000th event for the fan-favorite Late Model division in May
- Unprecedented Late Model division interest with many new cars and drivers
- June 2nd will be the 2nd annual Spring Shootout 90-Minute Figure 8
- Drifting under-the-lights on June 8th
- June 9th and September 15th Front Wheel Drive Demolition Derby’s
- July 7th Family Fireworks Night
- A full season of INEX Legend Cars with Speedrome being their home track
- A special Hall of Fame Induction during 2018
- 42nd annual World Figure 8 Championship September 6th-8th
- New kitchen concessions kitchen remodel on the main stretch
- 3rd Turn Performance parts and service center being opened west of the track
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Access Mobility, Advance Auto Sales, American Electronics, A&M Custom Paint & Body, Autos & More Towing & Recovery, C&J Auto Glass, Circle City Pyrotechnics, Damon Sizemore Certified Used Cars, Duncan’s Flea Market, Don’t Drive Naked, EMAS, Handmade Cuties, Hoosier Lottery, Hoosier Racing Tire, Image 13 Photography, Jackson Oil & Solvents, Jimmy’s Diner, KinCo Exhaust, Kitley Auto Sales, Lawrence Towing, Last Chance Wrecker, Lincoln Tech, Lucas Oil Products, Napier Family Dairy Queen, Pepsi, Racer Parts Wholesale, Racetrack Engineering, Red Gold, Rock Auto, Shelbyville Auto Parts, St John Signs & Designs, Superior Finish Lawn & Landscape, 3rd Turn Performance, Tom Wood Group, Two Little Bee’s Auto Parts, and United Auto Parts
