• There are no tentative dates set... until a lease has been obtained, and the necessary changes/updates have been made to the property, anything you hear concerning an opening date should be treated as speculation only.
• Please continue to visit the website for honest, accurate, and most current information - which is posted as it becomes available.

Question 17 - Submitted on comment form:  Please address that Sunshine Speedway would never operate as a race track again due to the clauses in the inital contract.

• All recorded deeds within Pinellas County are public record.  According to a Land Title Specialist that has reviewed the deed - there are no land use restrictions in the deed, which was recorded on June 30, 2004.  Given that information, I have to believe that any future land use restrictions were speculation and rumor until proven otherwise. 

Question 16 -Submitted on comment form: I have a question if I may? It's great to see this may happen! My question is how will this affect the dragstrip? Or will it all? Does anyone know?

• We are talking about a substantial amount of property - and there are many plans, some short term - and many long term, that utilize the land.  To address your first concern we have also been told about the substation, which is tentatively scheduled for part of the property, but does not directly affect the actual oval, however, it will probably impact the configuration of the pits, general admission entrance, etc...  Second, there are plans on the table to change the overpass on Ulmerton that currently merges the traffic entering eastbound Ulmerton from the left to arch more south and have the merging come from the right side.  Those plans don't extend the road usage much more than the equivalent of the stables area.  Both of these possibilities/probabilities are part of the tedious process we continue to work through.  We must remember that this is state property we are attempting to lease and we are grateful for the opportunity to make any accommodations necessary to make this happen.
• Thank you for sending me any information you hear... The purpose of this website was to continue to address rumors, concerns, possibilities, probabilities, and most importantly - the truth.  We want everyone to have a one-stop source for honest and accurate information as we know it.  I continue to believe that it isn't the pace, but the progress we are making.  Until we have secured a lease, we continue to wait. 
• As I was so bluntly reminded very early Saturday morning - not everyone is on our bandwagon for reopening the track.  Please continue to collect signatures and send them in to me.  Continue to share the website with friends and family.  And most importantly, believe that good things come to those that wait. 

• Pretty much everything but the oval, which has been repaved!  There will be new bleachers installed, 19 rows high totalling nearly 600 feet in width.  There will be a new scoreboard, as well as a line-up board.  A new scorer's tower will be erected and there are plans for a climate controlled seating area for season/corporate ticket holders.  We will be adding a substantial amount of new restroom facilities, and a new PA system.  In addition, an all new lighting system will be installed. You can see, there is lots of work to do - but we are up for the challenge!

Question 10 - What is left at the speedway site?

• I understand everyone's frustration.  We are patiently waiting on the next step.  Our most recent challenge was the number of restroom facilities that must be added to the property to host events with attendance anticipated at up to 5,000.  We have secured those pricing quotes, and continue to move forward.  A lot still has to happen.  The process is, as stated before, very tedious. We continue to work diligently - daily - to make this a reality.

• Rumor, rumor, rumor...Sorry, that is rumor... it's crazy how things get started. Originally, we started out hoping for February - but quickly learned that was too aggressive - bordering insane - and May seemed a little more realistic, but has now proven to be as agressive as January.. There has been no official or tentative date set. The process to secure a lease with the state is extremely detailed and time consuming.  To assume anything right now would be speculation. As soon as we have something concrete - it would be in our best interest to make the announcement so that everyone can prepare, and that is what we plan to do.

  There are so many factors playing into an opening day date, most importantly how quick we can accomplish what needs to be done when we can obtain control of the property. Since quotes on most everything have already been secured, it will just be a matter of completing the necessary changes and updates.  Thank you for sharing this information, I will be adding your questions to our FAQ's on the website. It is our goal to keep everyone informed.

  If anyone hears a rumor - please e-mail me so l can address it.  That way everyone has the most fair, honest, and accurate information available.

Question 6 -Is there anything the drivers can do to help make this happen?

• It is amazing to see the kinds of sacrifices the drivers are willing to make to get a track re-opened within the confines of Pinellas County.  This area is truly the 'heart' of southern short track racing.  Fortunately, for those of us who dream of reopening the track - there is a local man with a vision, dedicated and determined, with the resources and perseverance to see this through to the end.  There will be plenty of time for everyone to pitch in - we will keep you posted as the time draws closer! 

• I haven't heard anything about banking, but I know that there are many ideas on the table as to the entrance, pits, and most excitingly - the way the track will be lighted! 

• Most important right now is to get the word out.  We have to be able to show the state there is strong community support and a need to have the stock car track up and running again.  Please encourage everyone you know to register for the e-mail list and send comments for posting!  Spread the word about www.bringbackthetrack.com !

• It's a bit premature for actual dates- but fingers are crossed for sometime in 2009!

• This isn't a rumor.  No famous people have come to town.  No rich DJ's have courted any Cup drivers this time.  This is real people, spending real money, working with real attorneys, with real architects, with real state officials, to make it a reality.  No promises.  But doing everything within the realm of possibility, working to make it happen.  There's been too much talk - for too long.  It's time to put some long overdue real 'action' back on that oval!