GARDNERS TAKE OVER MANAGEMENT OF CEDAR FALLS
 Scott and Laura Gardner have added a third track to manage. |
Iowa’s Cedar Falls Raceway will be open for business for years to come, as a long term management contract and ownership option has been signed between track owners Scott Braun and John Deery and Cordova Dragway Park’s Scott Gardner, according to broker Ron Colson of Track Planning Associates.
“I have always had a soft spot in my heart for CFR” said Gardner, a former native of the Cedar Falls-Waterloo area. “Growing up while working and racing at CFR in the 1980’s, it’s always been a dream to operate the facility” he stated. Gardner, born and raised in Waterloo, IA graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls before leaving the area to eventually own and operate Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, IL, as well as co-own Eddyville Raceway Park in Oskaloosa, IA.
“It comes down to hard work and dedication,” said Gardner. “Myself, my wife Laura and my team operate and manage race events on a full time basis and that is what I believe is needed to make Cedar Falls Raceway thrive.”
Work is already underway, to complete a comprehensive 2007 schedule of events along with a strong bracket racing program, street drags, open fun run events as well as major feature shows. The date for the 2006 championship awards presentation will be set soon and full details will be forthcoming. All operations will be handled by Gardner, who can be reached at his Cordova office at 309-654-2110 or by e-mail at mmmcdp@aol.com [12-6-2006]
RICH TO OVERSEE MANSFIELD DRAG STRIP OPERATIONS
Right after DRO printed a letter from reader Kevin Ruic concerning the new IHRA track at Mansfield, Ohio, we found some information about the plans for the track. Wade Rich,
formerly of Bradenton (FL) Motorsports Park, will oversee operation of the new drag strip to be built near Mansfield Speedway. According to a Nov. 30th posting on the track’s website, construction will begin in the “coming days.” The new track is scheduled to play host to IHRA’s World Nationals on June 15-17, formerly held at Norwalk Raceway Park which has recently become an NHRA member track.
“I don’t have a construction background, but in my 15 years in the sport I’ve learned a lot about how drag strips operate,” Rich said. “We have five months to get it done. There is going to be a fair amount of stress involved, but at the same time all of us here are already having a lot of fun.” [12-6-2006]
‘BOUT TIME THIS PHOTO SHOWED UP, DAD
You know how it goes -- the shoemaker’s kids are the ones running around with no shoes. DRO photographer Adam Cranmer’s son, Ethan, was born on Oct. 14th and Dad just now sent us some photos. This recent shot shows that seven-week-old Ethan now weighs more than 11 lbs. and is over 2 feet tall.
The proud papa says, “We're currently getting him used to the five-point harness in the baby seat. He should be ready for a funny car by 2022.” (Adam Cranmer photo) [12-6-2006]
