by Jim Addison

MONROE, La. -- Rusty Marcus, general manger of Monroe Motor Speedway, opened up the town hall meeting by introducing himself and telling the many present of the plans for the 2009 racing season. Marcus said, “I am overwhelmed at the turnout and this has really gotten me more excited, I am ready to start hitting the ground running.” He said, “I am glad to be here and really excited about the future of this track.” “This track has some really good potential and we are going to make it one of the best.” Many times he made the statement this is OUR track that he is here for the drivers and fans. You could feel the sincerity in his voice as he spoke.

Over 200 folks packed the room to hear and talk about the upcoming racing season. The Freelands, Joe Pike, Jimmy Whitlock, Gus Campbell, Bob Bass (who will be coming from Dallas to race), Haddoxs, Rodney Ates, Sarah Nelson and many more from the local area as well as Shreveport and towns in Mississippi. Drivers asked questions and provided their comments. Not one question was sidestepped as Marcus and his staff answered each and every one of them. Some concerns of the drivers were voiced and those that were not already being worked on were written down to further look in to the matter. It was mentioned that some of these concerns have already begun and are in the working stage. Water will be added to the pit area, a snack area in the pits, an onsite parts trailer, bleachers in the pits, and a spotter’s tower so a driver’s spotter does not have to walk all the way around to the other side.

The schedule was mentioned. It has not been finalized yet due to the holidays playing havoc of getting any official commitment dates from some organizations. Racing will kick off the first weekend in March. Some concrete dates so far are: April 25th, it will be something never seen in this area, Crash-A-Rama. CRASH-A-RAMA is like wrestling with cars. The men and women who participate in this sport are FEARLESS Competitors who RISK THEIR LIVES for your entertainment. Some of the races they have planned are an Enduro race, Skid Car race, Flag Poll race, Boat/Trailer Race, Demolition Derby race, School Buses race, powder puff minivan race, and much more. Anyone you talk to who has been to one of these can just say “WOW!” You can read about this event by going to www.crash-a-rama.com.Around Memorial Day there will be a week full of racing as the Legends and Bandoleros will be competing. There will be racing each night from Tuesday thru Saturday. Cars will be coming in as far away as North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia providing fans with some great racing. June 6th the CRA will be here.

Some Quick notes: There will be practice on Saturday morning, February 21st. Also on the 21st will be the Awards Banquet, for complete information call Tammy Whitlock at 318-348-8723. The pink No. 7 truck will not be returning, but the driver Thornton Patterson will be back. Sarah Nelson will also be back racing this season. Racers—start you engines; it is going to be a GREAT season. Racing fans hold on to your seats, the action will be ground shaking.

For more information you may call Rusty Marcus at 318-372-1344 or go to the track’s web site www.monroemotorspeedway.com. If your company or organization would like to sponsor or join MMS in any capacity please call Marketing and Promotions Director Amy Johnson at 318-345-4477 or email her at amy@monroemotorspeeday.com.



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