| The Trucks Get Sorted Out....Or Do They? | by Jack Smith - KARNAC.com
FASCAR Marketing Director Terry Roberts said today that FASCAR Pro Trucks and FASTRUCKS have reached an agreement in principle to run a combined race at DeSoto Speedway on July 2 and also at USA International Speedway on July 23.
Billy Barstow, manager of the FASTRUCK Racing Series confirmed the news, although he stressed that the final papers have not been signed by the FASTRUCK series' attorneys.
Negotiations which led to the deal began during the KGKIradio.com and KARNAC.com radio show on May 26. The show featured guests FASCAR Promoter Don Nerone and FASTRUCKS promoter Bobby Diehl. Also in attendance at the show were Roberts and Barstow, and in the closing minutes of the show Barstow and Nerone began to hammer out a way the two series could race together.
"It will be a combined show and the purse that will be paid will be the purse that FASTRUCK pays, and the entry fee will be the fee that they pay to race at a FASTRUCK race", Roberts said. Roberts also said either tire (Goodyear or Hoosiers) may be used, and officials will be from both series.
The final details are expected to be ironed out early next week, according to both Barstow and Roberts.
The conflict with FASTRUCK and FASCAR over truck racing peaked late last year when FASCAR decided to run their own traveling truck series. Promoter/Owner of the FASTRUCK Series announced early this year that he was stepping back from running the series and would focus strickly on the promotion end of things, leaving the scheduling and other management decisions up to Billy Barstow.
KARNAC.com arranged to have the promoters appear together on the same radio show in order to spotlight the issues for race fans. During the show it was clear to all that there was no consensus for agreement between Nerone and Diehl.
Don Nerone (left foreground) and Bobby Diehl (right foreground) in Florida racing's version of a "smoke filled room"
When Barstow stepped in and began to talk with Nerone about settling some of the issues, progress was made and within a week the two had worked out a preliminary agreement for the two races at DeSoto and Lakeland.
 Click here to listen to the show..
However things may not be as simple as that. Complicating the matter even more is a press release sent to KARNAC today from the new Director of Marketing of FASTRUCK Media.
The text of the press release is as follows:
"Fastruck owner Bobby Diehl has entered into an agreement to sell his Racing Series to FMG, OSE Fund , Mr. Diehl will remain as the company's CEO and run the day to day business with his Race Director, Mr. William Barstow.
The Group has hired TTC NY , Thira Trade Consulting to run their new Fastruck Media division which will oversee the Fastruck Racing Series.
Mr. Diehl has stated that the series potential was identified and both sides recognize its value. TTC's client list includes eGolfscore, ITEX PSL, Playboy Golf/Stratis Event Management, Social Fix.com, PurseFanatic.com, Sonic Powerboats(winner of the APBA)and multiple Charities and recently has worked on promotions with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
FMG has also hired a new Management Team . Mr. Renieris will be the Director of Marketing of FASTRUCK MEDIA. Mr. Jim Collins, who has helped raise funds for The Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure and other NASCAR affiliated entities, was appointed VP of Sales and will work with the communities surrounding the tracks to promote Fastruck.
They have also hired Mr.Michael Spotts, Esquire, Mr. Spotts will be lead counsel and help Mr. Diehl with the day to day operations, budgets and negotiations." -End of Release-
So, as of now race fans can look forward to a big truck race at DeSoto Speedway and USA International Speedway in July. That is, if in fact the contracts get signed and all parties can continue to stay the course that Nerone and Barstow have laid out.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
<news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!
|
