By Anne Marie Brooks

MTRN Staff

Nashville, TN-Over 500 people crowded into Wilson Hall at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Monday night, for a meet-and-greet with Fairgrounds Speedway lease-holder Tony Formosa and his staff.

Hope Hines began the meeting, turning the podium over to pastor Joe Nelms, who did not mention his “smokin’ hot wife”, but asked for blessings on the track and all involved during the upcoming season. Hines then recognized the Nashville City Councilmen in attendance, Tony Tenpenny, Robert Duvall, Duane Dominy and Jason Potts. He also recognized local racing celebrities Sterling Marlin and Casey Atwood.

Hines told the crowd they were all present for two reasons, love and passion. “This dang track has got more than nine lives,” Hines said. “It is a landmark, one of the great tracks in this country. This thing made more headlines than country music. You people just won’t let it go away. I don’t want to say anything bad about Bobby Jr., and I’m not going to say anything bad about Bobby Jr., but it’s back in the right hands.”

Randy Binkley was called to the podium next, bringing fellow racing historian Steve Cavanah with him, to introduce 2012 Hall of Fame inductees Maurice Hassey, Boyd Adams, Eddie Mitchell and Ken Binkley. Randy Binkley also gave a brief overview of the entire class, whose biographies can be found on the track website, or the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Racing History page on Facebook.

          Formosa spoke next, introducing each member of his current track staff. He also introduced Martin Pierce, promoter at Huntsville Speedway. Formosa and Pierce have created an Open Wheel Modified Six Pack Series, with three races to be held at each track in a cross-promotion. Nashville’s three races will be 35 laps, while Huntsville’s will be 75, to equal the same distance.

“We’re a real short track,” Pierce said. “This is a superspeedway compared to our track.”

          Formosa then introduced Mark Borchetta, brother of Scott Borchetta, who flew in from Los Angeles to discuss the expansion of his business, LA Racing, in Nashville.

“You are not my demographic,” Borchetta said. “Half of you already drive fast.”

Borchetta went on to talk about his company, which provides opportunities for anyone who wants to experience what it’s like to drive a racecar to do so with professional instruction in a track environment.

“I love this area,” Borchetta said. “Half of my family lives here.”

Formosa took the podium once again, announcing that Casey Atwood would be driving the full season schedule this year. He also introduced Lindsey Pugh, Miss Fairgrounds Speedway. Formosa then went over the tire specifications for each class, and the refined rule for passing on starting laps. This season, the green flag will drop at the start/finish line as usual, but drivers will not have to wait until crossing the line to pass.

“Once the green flag drops, it’s on,” Formosa said. “If you get passed before the start/finish line, too bad. We thought that would be a smart move.”

          General Manager Charlie Welch then spoke about the rule for restarts. This season, there will only be one restart, and any drivers who jump on the start will be black-flagged.

Formosa took the podium again to talk about the Limited Late Model class, and the efforts being taken to find parity in that division.

The last formal point addressed was about mufflers, and any driver not using proper mufflers will not be allowed to compete.

“We’ve got to fix the noise,” Formosa said. “I am gonna enforce mufflers this year. Let’s pacify the neighbors, they have a right to their peace, they are giving us the right to our sport.”

     Formosa then opened the floor for questions from those present, and when several drivers asked about specific rules, the meeting unofficially ended. Formosa is planning another rules meeting for drivers, the first or second week in March.