10/26/2026
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT 2026 RACING SEASON!
First off, I want to personally thank everyone who helped make the 2026 racing season possible at both the Karl Chevrolet Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa, and the Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City, Iowa.
None of what we do would be possible without our DRIVERS, CREWS, FANS, SPONSORS, and EMPLOYEES. So from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Let's face it, racing is tough. Promoting racing is even tougher, and with the economy the way it is today, it's probably more challenging than ever. You can't just open the gates, turn on the lights, and hope everyone shows up. There is a lot that goes into making a racetrack successful, and it takes everyone working together to make it happen.
LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR RACETRACKS.
One thing I can honestly say is that I believe we have two of the best racetracks in the state of Iowa when it comes to cleanliness, track conditions, and the racing itself.
We have worked extremely hard to give the drivers a smooth, slick, multi-groove racetrack where they can race side by side, and I think we have accomplished that at both facilities. Are they perfect every single night? Absolutely not. But I can promise you that we put a tremendous amount of effort into making them the best they can be.
Now, as most of you know, we operate the Karl Chevrolet Hamilton County Speedway on a year-to-year agreement. If someone out there is interested in stepping up and taking over the speedway, I encourage you to contact Jamie at the Hamilton County Fair office.
I will tell you this much. It would be an extremely sad day to see one of the longest-running speedways in the state of Iowa close its doors. I would personally have a very difficult time letting that happen. But at the same time, it takes drivers, fans, sponsors, and support from the community to keep a racetrack operating.
You simply cannot do it alone.
TO OUR DRIVERS AND CREWS:
You guys are the backbone of this entire operation.
Without your commitment to showing up and racing at either facility, we wouldn't have anything for the fans to come watch. I know what it costs to race these days. Tires, fuel, parts, motors, travel, and everything else aren't getting any cheaper.
We appreciate every single one of you who chose to spend your hard-earned money racing with us in 2026.
We are already working on some things for 2027 that we hope will make it even more rewarding for those who support our tracks throughout the season, especially when it comes to our year-end programs.
You guys deserve it!
TO OUR SPONSORS:
What can I say other than THANK YOU!
Your support each and every week makes so many things possible that simply wouldn't happen without you. Whether it's sponsoring a race, a class, a special event, or stepping up and adding money to a purse, every little bit helps.
We have some incredible businesses and individuals who believe in what we are doing, and we certainly don't take that for granted.
TO OUR FANS:
We have some exciting things planned for you in 2027!
I have always believed that going to the races should be more than just sitting in the grandstands watching cars go around in circles.
It should be an EXPERIENCE!
We want you to have fun, get involved, and have opportunities to win something yourself.
Our new DICE ROLL GAME is going to be a fun addition at both tracks in 2027. Each week, lucky fans will have an opportunity to win cash based on what happens out on the racetrack.
And the best part? It won't cost you anything extra to participate!
We are going to continue looking for ways to make a night at the races even more enjoyable for the entire family.
After all, without fans in the grandstands, none of this works either.
TO OUR EMPLOYEES:
I honestly believe we have some of the best people in the racing business working at our two facilities.
And believe me, I know your jobs aren't always easy!
From our wrecker drivers to our concession workers, flagmen, tech inspectors, ticket sellers, pit gate workers, track officials, cleanup crews, track preparation crews, and everyone else who helps make race night happen, THANK YOU!
There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that most people never see. Long hours, hot days, cold nights, dust, mud, and sometimes dealing with people who aren't exactly having their best day.
But you keep showing up and getting the job done.
I sincerely hope every one of you will be back with us in 2027 because we couldn't do this without you.
A FEW SPECIAL THANK-YOUS!
At Mason City, I want to give a special thank-you to Tanner and Christina Lacey.
These two put in a tremendous amount of time and effort keeping the Mason City Motor Speedway looking as nice as it does. And if that isn't enough, they turn around and help us on race nights, too!
You guys do an outstanding job, and we appreciate everything you do.
To Sheryl and Kelsey and both of your concession crews, thank you for another great season!
You ladies and your crews work your tails off making sure everyone has something to eat and drink. And I think everyone involved found out what BUSY really means when FloRacing Night in America came to Mason City!
You handled it, and we appreciate it!
I also have to say how fortunate we were to be racing this late into October. We had some absolutely beautiful weather to finish the season. Although I will admit, that north wind yesterday afternoon reminded us pretty quickly that winter isn't too far away!
TO MY RIGHT-HAND MAN, MARK LYMAN:
I don't even know where to start.
Mark and I have spent a lot of hours together working on these racetracks, trying different things, learning what works and what doesn't, and figuring out how to keep a track racey from the first green flag until the final checkered flag.
I think we have gotten pretty darn good at it!
There is a lot more to preparing a racetrack than just watering it and driving around in circles. Every night is different, and knowing what that dirt needs is something you learn through experience.
Mark, I can honestly say it would be almost impossible for me to operate either of these racetracks without you.
Thank you for everything you do, the hours you put in, and for putting up with me along the way!
AND FINALLY, TO MY WIFE, JANET. ❤️
Where do I even begin?
I think it's safe to say Janet has probably had about enough of weekly racing!
And honestly, I can't say that I blame her.
But somehow, year after year, she continues to stand beside me and help make all of this happen.
She knows how much I still love doing this stuff, even though I'm not always sure myself why I love it so much!
There are plenty of times when I'm sure she would much rather be sitting beside a lake, enjoying a beautiful evening, instead of spending another Saturday or Sunday at a dirt racetrack.
And who could blame her?
But she continues to be there, supporting me, helping with everything that needs to get done, and putting up with all the ups and downs that come with this business.
Janet, thank you for being such a trooper and sticking with me through another racing season. I know it isn't always what you would choose to be doing, and I appreciate it more than you know.
Maybe someday we'll get to spend a few more weekends sitting beside that lake!
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027...
We have some ideas and plans that we are excited about, and we are going to keep working to make both facilities better for everyone involved.
I have been around this sport for a long time, and one thing I have learned is that you are never going to make everybody happy. That's just racing.
But I can promise you this: We care about these racetracks, we care about the people who race at them, and we care about the fans who spend their money to come watch.
We don't always get everything right, but we sure as heck try.
At the end of the day, I still love dirt track racing. I love seeing a packed grandstand, a full pit area, and drivers putting on a great show on a racetrack that gives them multiple grooves to race on.
That's what makes all the hard work worthwhile.
So once again, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WAS PART OF OUR 2026 RACING SEASON!
Whether you raced with us once or every week, bought a ticket, sponsored an event, worked at the track, or simply helped spread the word, you played a part in keeping dirt track racing alive in North Iowa.
We appreciate every one of you.
Here's hoping we can all get together and do it again in 2027!
Sincerely,
Todd Staley
Karl Chevrolet Hamilton County Speedway
Mason City Motor Speedway
