by: Adam Mackey

The keys to Midvale Speedway are again being handed over to new owners. This time, the new owners are ones with familiar faces. Randy and Sue Smith, who owned the track from 1999-2004 have made the purchase of not only the track, but the land that it sits on. Since the opening of the track in 1953, the land has been owned by the Whitmire family and leased by each speedway owner.

Track promoters Bear and Karen Schwartz were hoping to remain on board for the foreseeable future. However, after coming up short on an agreement to purchase the land from the longtime property owners a couple of years ago, they have been working on a year-to-year lease, which has kept rumors swirling and the future of the track in doubt.

With the property owners wanting to sell the land, which their family has held since the track was established, former track promoters Randy and Sue Smith decided to throw their hats back into the ring. The Smith's ran the facility from 1999-2004 before selling their interest to the Schwartz's. The Smith's returned to Midvale two years ago as racers.

Negotiations moved at a snail's pace at first, but recently, the Smith's were able to tab an agreement with the landowning Whitmire family, as well as the Schwartz's for the racetrack equipment. Everything was signed, sealed, and delivered on Friday, February 19.

Track owner Bear Schwartz was reluctant to sell, but after a few months of thought, decided to go forward with the transfer. Schwartz stated, "I really had hopes of continuing as track owner, but working on a year-to-year property lease agreement always left things up in the air. I hope that everyone continues to support the speedway and I wish the Smith's the best."

Randy Smith has a newfound excitement looking toward 2010 and beyond. "We have had a successful number of years at our other businesses, which put us in position to buy the racetrack land. I really look forward to getting things started and continuing the 55+ years of success that the track has seen."

Smith also announced a couple of details for the 2010 season. "With it being this late in the game, we are going to go with the same five divisions that were run in 2009. Rule changes will be very few and far between. We'll have all of the details online within the next week."

The pocket schedules for the new season as well as divisional rules will be handed out at the Stark County Fairgrounds Swap Meet on March 6-7. The New Towne Mall Car Show is slated for March 26-28. Test and Tune will be held on April 10, 11, and 16. The 2010 season opener will see the green flag on Saturday, April 17.

Complete schedule and rules Information will be posted online here and at www.midvalespeedway.com within the next week.