2009 Potomac Speedway

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January 25, 2009

“New Promoter, New Look, As Potomac Speedway Prepares for 2009”

By Doug Watson

As the 2009 racing season quickly draws near, One race track in particular is gearing up for what could possibly be their biggest season ever, Southern Maryland’s Potomac speedway.

After six sub-par season’s under former promoter Rick Jones, the speedway had fallen on some pretty hard times. Low car counts, unstructured rules and poor attendance put the speedway’s future in jeopardy. As the 2008 season drew to a close, Rick Jones’ lease was bought out in early November. Jones quickly filed a court injunction to save his post as Potomac promoter, However, the injunction was denied and Jones’ tenure at Potomac was over.

Enter Berryville Va.’s Greg Gunter. The name Greg Gunter and Potomac speedway go hand in hand, but not from a promotional standpoint. Gunter is a four-time four-cylinder stock car track champion who ranks second in career wins at the speedway with forty-five. Gunter has now traded in his helmet for a promoter’s hat, as he’s now become the new promoter of Potomac speedway.

“This whole deal just kind of fell into my lap.” Gunter surmised as we had a chance to catch up at the Auto Racing Club of Hagerstown banquet two-weeks ago. “I’ve always been very f ond of Potomac and it’s something (promoting) that I’ve always wanted to do.”

Needless to say, promoting a racetrack track is a daunting task , but Gunter feels he’s primed to put Potomac back on the map. “It’s going to be quite a challenge.” Gunter bottom-lined. “We’re going to try and implement many new things at the speedway this season, because we feel the racer’s and the fan’s deserve a lot more than what they got the past six-season’s.”

In just about two-month’s time, Potomac has gotten the facelift it so desperately deserved. “You have to see it to believe it.” Were the words from Potomac general manager Denise Hollidge. “We’ve been blessed with some really good weather down here so far this winter which has made our job that much easier.” Brand new concrete retaining walls now adorn the speedway along the front stretch as well as the back stretch with all-new three-tiered guardrail that surround all four corners of the track. The grand stands were moved back, allowing a better view of the track, all new fencing wraps the speedway and fresh stone was laid throughout the entire grandstand area. “We were able to widen the backstretch fifteen feet and re-shape the turns as well.” Hollidge remarked. “We’ll be using the transponder scoring system like they do at Hagerstown and we also have a brand new scoreboard coming, so we are definitely ready to take Potomac to the next level.”

All new track equipment was purchased over the winter as well. “I’ll tell you what, Greg has given us everything we need to make this track a success.” Hollidge explained. “He’s got two new tow trucks, water trucks a grader and three sheep’s-foot rollers, Greg wants us to be prepared come opening night.” New concrete and fresh paint will help spruce up any facility, but what’s the cure for a racetrack with a bad reputation? “Being as honest as we can with the drivers and the fans.” Hollidge bottom-lined. “We’ve prepared a race track that’s very friendly for the fans and one that’s fair and competitive for the racers. We know economic times are tough right now and we just want everyone to know that we have everyone’s best interest in mind.”

Gunter and his staff obtained the services of web-design guru Jason Walls of WRT web-designs to come up with a new and improved speedway website, which obtains the official 2009 schedule. Five classes will appear each and every Friday night with the ever popular super late models occupying fifteen dates during the season. Limited late models, street stocks, hobby stocks, modifieds, 4-cylinder stock cars, strictly stocks, hornets and crate late models will also see action on the three-eights mile oval this season.

Potomac will kick-off it’s new era under Greg Gunter with a test and tune session for all classes on Sunday March, 15 with the opening racing program set for Friday night March, 20 featuring a 40-lap super late model event. The limited late models, street stocks, hobby stocks and modifieds will also take part in the opening day festivities.