Thrusday, January 07, 1999
Carroll wants to buy, expand Lawrenceburg Speedway
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Jerry Carroll and his Kentucky Speedway development team are having discussions about gaining controlling interest in Lawrenceburg Speedway (Ind)., the quarter-mile dirt track about 20 minutes west of Cincinnati.
Mr. Carroll reportedly would turn the facility into a family-oriented theme park and expand the track to a half-mile. Argosy Casino, the nation's most successful riverboat located just across the street, could bring added traffic to a rebuilt Lawrenceburg Speedway.
Mr. Carroll was out of town and could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But an associate confirmed that Kentucky Speedway has been meeting with Lawrenceburg officials.
“We're basically just talking right now,” said Andy Vertrees, director of operations for both Kentucky Speedway and Louisville Speedway (which Mr. Carroll also owns). “Dirt racing is the best-kept secret in America, and Law renceburg has a great tradition. We'd work to enhance the whole facility.”
Mr. Vertrees said that concerts and “monster truck” shows might also be scheduled at the site.
Lawrenceburg Mayor Melvin Gabbard confirmed discussions with Mr. Carroll's group, but declined further comment.
The potential acquisition would not be a purchase, but rather a long-term lease. The city of Lawrenceburg has about 50 years remaining on a 99-year lease of the track, according to Mr. Gabbard.
Unlike Mr. Carroll's 1998 purchase of Louisville Speedway, which was meant to show NASCAR officials he was a serious motor racing player, Lawrenceburg would simply complete the package of racing that the Kentucky Speedway group could present.
Kentucky Speedway, under construction in Gallatin County, will be a 1.5-mile superspeedway scheduled to open in May 2000. It aims to attract major events such as NASCAR Winston Cup and Indy-car racing. Louisville Speedway is a 7/16-mile paved short track, and Lawrenceburg would give the group a dirt track.
Lawrenceburg Speedway, which enters its 52nd season in 1999, has featured winged sprint cars, modifieds, and pro stock cars. NASCAR Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon drove winged sprint cars at Lawrenceburg as a teen-ager from 1985-88.
Mr. Carroll's group might reach a tentative agreement with Lawrenceburg later this month, according to one source.
Lawrenceburg Speedway president/promoter Greg Staab declined comment, but Mr. Vertrees said Mr. Carroll's group hopes to work with Mr. Staab if changes are made. Mr. Staab has one year remaining on his own three-year lease with the track.
The nearby presence of Argosy could also boost attendance at a renovated Lawrenceburg Speedway.
Argosy recorded 4.3 million admissions in its first eight months of 1998 alone.
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