Brian Spaid

I have watched this post build and build with all of the rumors that persist, and I feel compelled to finally respond. I do so out of simple concern for all the confusion being caused to fans and race teams. About two months ago, Mike Thomas of the Thomas Organization in Oil City, Pa., started to advise people in our area that he is the new owner of Tri-City Speedway. This is posted on a website that is controlled by him or his company, and he has submitted advertising or sponsorship proposals to area businesses. I am personally aware of those advertising efforts because my business partner was contacted by the Thomas Organization, and I have seen at least one additional proposal submitted to another area business. In addition to the track, it is my understanding that Mr. Thomas is seeking investors to open a restaurant in Franklin, and to commence another business with which I am unfamiliar. However, as of this date, January 5, 2014, based on public records, neither Mr. Thomas nor his company own the track. I do not know him well, so I have not contacted him directly to determine the status of any negotiations he is in the midst of with the current owners, Tri-City Enterprises, Inc., which is owned by Roy Hill of Virginia and others. I presume Mr. Thomas' efforts are serious, otherwise, it would make no sense for him to seek advertising and sponsorships for the 2014 season. In 2013, Mike Graham and Roger Crick, the prior owners of the speedway, filed lawsuits to collect the remaining amount due on their note and mortgage for the purchase of the speedway real estate and personal property. Although judgment was entered on one claim, the claim has not been paid to date. In order for Mr. Thomas to own the speedway, the real estate must be transferred to him or his company (unless he purchases the corporation to maintain the ownership of the real estate under the name Tri-City Enterprises, Inc.). Furthermore, the Graham-Crick judgment must be satisfied (paid in full). As of last Friday, checking the records at the Courthouse, the judgment remains unpaid. A Sheriff's Sale is scheduled on February 19, 2014, relative to the Graham-Crick judgment. The sale currently involves the real estate. In the near future, it will likely involve all of the personal property. The Sheriff's Sale will be canceled if the Graham-Crick judgment is paid in full ahead of time. If not, the sale will proceed. At that time, all interested parties may bid. The judgment amount is public record, and exceeds $238,000.00. I have to believe that Mr. Hill is seeking a sale of the real estate and personal property in excess of that amount in order to pay the Graham-Crick judgment in full along with any other possible liabilities owed by Tri-City Enterprises, Inc., and then receive sufficient funds to make some profit on the sale. No such profit will be derived in a Sheriff's Sale. Therefore, at this point in time, all of the rumor and speculation on this post is just that. I strongly urge everyone to wait until Mr. Thomas or his company make an official announcement that he or the company owns the speedway. We also must await an official announcement from another person or company that purchases the real estate and personal property from the Sheriff's Sale if Mr. Thomas' efforts are unsuccessful. Tony Stewart Racing is NOT involved in the negotiations to purchase Tri-City under any circumstances. Those rumors, while humorous to read by the people posting to cause further confusion, are completely untrue. As the past announcer and public relations director at Tri-City, I hope that whoever purchases the track is able the rebuild it and make it successful. The rebuilding process is enormous. As documented in photos available on Facebook, there are substantial repairs that need to be made for the track to be race ready. Not only is all of the clay washed off the track, and the grandstands are in a state of disrepair, there are significant repairs required to the equipment, facilities, VIP tower and grounds as well. The financial investment will be substantial. Hopefully, this information is helpful for all of the Tri-City Speedway fans out there. I look forward to seeing racing at the track one day. I have no interest in returning to work at Tri-City. I enjoyed working for Mike Graham and Roger Crick for 13 years. They are excellent businessmen, they were superb promoters, and they remain friends of mine. Without them at the helm, it would never be the same for me. I learned that when I worked for H&H Motorsports; however, despite any criticisms that people may have about H&H's promotional reign, I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to continue to work in motorsports during part of their tenure. For now, I will continue to work with Vicki Emig and Mike Leone on the RUSH Dirt Late Model Series and RUSH Dirt Sportsman Modified Series. They are consummate professionals, who run an excellent series and love the sport with all of their heart. In addition, the other officials are excellent and we have grown together as a team that I cherish as much as my days at Tri-City. The RUSH Series is awesome. For me, it has been, and will continue to be, an absolute joy to meet all the fans and drivers throughout this region and announce at various tracks with RUSH. Take care, and I wish everyone great racing in 2014!! Brian M. Spaid