WALL TOWNSHIP SPEEDWAY CLOSES IT'S DOORS
To Whom It May Concern,
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I must, at this
time, formally announce the closing of our beloved Wall Township
Speedway, formally known to the vast majority of us as Wall Stadium.
Like most of us, my first experience at the Speedway was as
an 8 year old child attending with my father some forty-five years ago.
Some of my fondest childhood memories were forged at the Speedway we so
loved.
I recall the miniature, plastic models of the then
Modified/Sportsman cars that I would meticulously paint and letter to
represent top shoes such as Tommie Elliot in the purple #4 and Parker
Bohn in the 659, as well as many other drivers.
As we all did, I established some great lasting friendships
at the track, not the least of which was my former Head Mechanic at
United Crane, Al Mauser, better known in the racing circles as Bill.
Then there were my dear friends the late Tommy Comerford, Don Ling, Bill
Johnson and the Blewett family, just to name a few. I could go on and
on.
Without getting into all the whys and wherefores, please know
that we, as a partnership group holding four equal twenty-five percent
shares, did everything in our power these past six years since 2002, to
provide top quality short-track racing and keep the doors to the
Speedway open. We have made numerous attempts to create a scenario which
would enable us to continue with the Speedway operation, all to no
avail.
Please know, when we purchased the track from the Nicol
Family on February 26, 2002, we, as an ownership group, were wholly
committed to its continuance as the top quality racing facility it had
always been known as in the fifty-one years prior.
Please also know this decision to close was made on this 14th
day of March, 2008, as we were still exploring certain options available
to us in an attempt to remain open for the 2008 season: again to no
avail.
I, as do my partners, truly believe in our hearts, that we
did everything in our power, for all of the right reasons, to continue
the unprecedented heritage which was always associated with Wall
Township Speedway/Wall Stadium.
With that said, it is with deep regrets that my partners and
I are left with no alternative then to close Wall Township Speedway/Wall
Stadium after 57 years of continuous racing.
We cannot thank you, the competitors, crews, the many race
fans across the country and anyone ever associated with the Speedway for
your undying loyalties and support throughout these past 57 years since
1950.
I believe I can speak for the Nicol Family as well. I, for
one know just how much the Speedway meant to Tucker, his mom, Tom and
the entire Nicol Family throughout the years.
Unfortunately, we find ourselves joining the long,
ever-growing list of short-tracks across the country which have been
forced to close.
In reflecting on the rich history of the track, let our
thoughts go to the good times which are etched in all our memories and
may we all be thankful for 57 years of great racing in the Township of
Wall, New Jersey.
Timothy H. Shinn
Managing Member For The Partners
