First of all, I would like to thank everyone for coming out today to enjoy racing here at Spud Speedway. As many of you may have heard over the past week, I have decided that this will be my last show that I host as the race promoter. Back in 2009, I bought the Speedway hoping to make a positive difference here in the County, by building a place that could offer a little something for everyone to enjoy. Since then, we have hosted, concerts, monster truck shows, tour races, a fair, snow sled racing, and most importantly weekly racing. Although we have had some fun hosting such events, we haven't always had the necessary support from the local community to continue to fund and bring such events here to our area. Now believe me, I don't feel special about this point, as many other groups and shows are having difficulty here all over the County, rather it be a local fair, concerts, or whatever. We have faced many challenges over the past 5 years such as weather, the economy, and outside venues attracting our local folks outside of our area. Through all of that I feel we have managed to bring some great quality experiences right here to our track for all to enjoy.
I would just like to take a minute before we get started today and thank some people and to be sure that they all know how much I appreciate their support through the past few years. Many of these people made it possible for us to keep this going as long as we have.
I would like to thank our sponsors that have helped us each year. Some sponsors have been by our side for the entire 5 year stretch and I would like to thank Coca-Cola, Griffeth Ford, Aroostook Savings & Loan, Aroostook Trusses, Caldwell's Auto, Town Square Media, and Mark's Towing. We have also had so many other sponsors that have helped and a special thanks goes out to all of them as well.
From when we bought the track until now, we have also had many people donate services or equipment to get the track looking and functioning the way it has. I would like to thank those folks now for their support as without them I'm not sure we could have done any of this. Thank you to Phil St. Peter of Major Service, Jerry Williams of William's Construction, Richard Newland of Peterson's Septic Service, Rob & Scott Caldwell of Caldwell's Sanitation, Dick St. Peter of St. Peter Construction, Tim Todd of R. L. Todd Electrical, Wayne Smith of Smith's Electric, Jere Humphrey and Nancy Haggerty of Humphrey's Property Maintainence, Mark Nadeau of Mark's Towing, Craig & Jason Trombley of Trombley Industries, and Scott Richardson of Gervais Fencing.
I would like to also thank my staff as without these guys, none of the races would of ever happened. A special thanks to Tom Hale and Tyler Raymond for keeping the place looking great this year. Our staff has a thankless job and take grief many times for stuff that they had nothing to do with. We have had so many great people here over the 5 years that is impossible to thank them all here today, but I must mention a few that again have been here for the entire ride. I truly appreciate having the chance to work with each and every one of them. Thanks to Marcel Bosse, Lisa & Danny LaCasse, Rick & Dylan LaMothe, Tammy Michaud, Lori Dewley, Jody Green, Russell Monson, Lynn Martin, and last but not least Carlie Michaud. Charlie has been here more than anyone helping me as if this place was his own, and I really appreciate everything he has done.
I would also like to thank Dan Haines who has helped me countless times over the past five years with organization, websites and much, much more during the week each season.
I also want to thank all of the local racers from Maine and New Brunswick that have been involved and helping us spread a good positive message about racing and trying to get others involved. We appreciate all of the tours that have made the trip to the County to put on a great show and help us offer a little something different each season.
I also need to send out my biggest thanks to my family that have stuck by my side through out this entire process. Julie, Sabrina, Kirsten, Brooke, Jason, and Kacie have stood by and helped me here at the track and at home during the week to make sure these shows have happened all while it has consumed all of my free time and then some. They have done so without complaint and for that I know I owe them some much needed family time.
I'm sure I have forgot to mention someone in this process today, and it by all means is not on purpose. There have been so many that have been involved and no track can or ever will survive without a whole team of people and supporters, such as you, the fans that come every week to cheer on your favorite racers. We will continue to support the track and we are actively looking for someone to lease the track in hopes to keep racing alive. At the bare minimum we will continue next season with our race kart series and we will consider a couple possible weekend special events.
Today, marks the end of my journey with this historic venue as a promoter, as it has, with many owners before. Hopefully a new door will open soon and racing here in the County will have a chance to continue. Thank you all, for allowing me to part of the ride we call Spud Speedway.
