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Last updated 10:37 pm CT February 08, 2010.
Mt. Vernon Speedway to Open this Season
MT. VERNON--Cars will again cross the finish line at a Jefferson County race track this summer .
The owner of the Mt. Vernon Speedway was planning to close the facility, but now he's found someone else willing to run it.
"The first Saturday in May is what they're shooting for" says Owner Rick Heck.
Heck says for the first time in seven years, it won't be him or his partner managing the track.
"Jeremy, Justin and Marion Sneed. We're going still own it. They'll just lease it."
Heck says several economic factors led to his decision. The track's insurance doubled after a fatal crash in August 2005 that killed two spectators. Then there's the costly repair work to be done.
"Neither one of us had the desire to put the time into what it takes to do it right."
The Sneed family started renovation work this week at the Speedway.
Top priorities include re-building this guard-rail, improving drainage, and fixing lights.
Many of the speakers at the raceway have to be replaced along with many of the boards in the bleacher.
All together, it will be thousands of dollars in renovation work.
Heck says-- once up and operating-- the bleachers may be full again with fans, and that's an economic boon not only for the Sneeds, but for the city.
"They get gas while they're here. They shop while they're here, so it's a good thing for Mt. Vernon as well."
Members of the Sneed family say starting in May racing day will be on Sunday instead of Saturday. The classes of cars to race will stay the same. Tickets for adults will be twelve dollars.
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