Broadway Bullring back in business: dirt-track racing to return to Adams County Speedway in Spring 2022

QUINCY – The track is back! And it has a new name.

Owner Paul Holtschlag announced Wednesday that Jimmy Lieurance will be taking over as director of operations at Adams County Speedway, formerly known as Quincy Raceways, and that the .29-mile track at 8000 Broadway will reopen in spring 2022. 

Lieurance will be leasing the 28.5-acre facility from Holtschlag, with the intent to purchase. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Adams County Speedway (ACS) has been closed since the end of the 2019 season. The two-year shutdown was a combined result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the failure to find a new owner after Jason Goble, who ran the track during 2018-19 seasons, left the area.

Holtschlag has repeatedly emphasized over the past two years he wished to sell, or come to an operations agreement, with another party who would keep the track running.

“Jimmy’s heart and soul will be into this,” Holtschlag said of Lieurance. “He is honest, knows racing and is a stand-up guy. I’m excited about the possibilities.”

Lieurance, 62, who lives in Hannibal, Mo., has a long history with the Broadway Bullring. He has served in numerous leadership capacities over the past 40-plus years, having worked with all former owners, including the late Albert Scott, who founded the track in 1975. In addition, Lieruance oversaw track operations in 2021 at Randolph County Speedway near Moberly, Mo. He has resigned from his duties in Moberly to fully concentrate on returning Adams County Speedway to prominence.

“We are dedicated to make this work, and it will work,” Lieurance said. “Everyone involved is dedicated to making this successful. We’ll be doing whatever it takes to make Adams County Speedway a family oriented and family friendly track. We want to make it fun again to go to the races. My heart and soul are in this track. My family grew up at this track.”

The deal between Holtschlag and Lieurance came together in pretty quickly. The concept, agreement and signing of the necessary papers all materialized in the past few weeks.

Work is already underway at the speedway, spearheaded by Steve Grotz, who was in charge of track preparation the last couple of years the facility had been open and was a longtime modified driver at the site.

“My whole heart is in that track,” Grotz said. “My track has been closed for two years, but (when it returns next season) it will be better.”

Grotz is already working on re-establishing the racing surface, which had become overgrown with weeds and damaged by the elements. Both Grotz and Lieurance are pleased with the early progress, but realize there’s much to be done and only a little more than five months before the start of the 2022 season.

“The next two to three weeks will be very important,” said Lieurance, in regard to physical improvements and projects that need completed and/or started before winter arrives.

Lieurance also announced:

• The primary weekly classes for next season will be crate late models, “A” modifieds, “B” modifieds, stock cars and four-cylinders. The classes will not be sanctioned, according to Lieurance, who anticipates UMP, IMCA and USRA entrants.
• The 2022 track schedule should be completed around Dec. 1, and include a number of specials, including MLRA late models and a variety of sprint cars. He said there is also a chance the UMP Summer Nationals late model tour will return to Quincy, but he will know more about that at a later date
• Lieurance’s wife, Tammy, will also play an integral role in all track operations and organization.
• There will be enhanced security, safety and medical presences at the track in 2022. Lieurance felt all three areas had been lacking the last couple of years the track had been open.
• Blake Dotson has been named race director. The head flagman will be named in the near future.
• Opening night will tentatively be April 10, with preseason practices scheduled for April 3 and April 6.

“I think people around here are hungry for racing to return,” Holtschlag said. “I think Jimmy is going to be very successful.”

Jason Goble and his partner, Robert Goble, had bought Quincy Raceways through a contract for deed arrangement, with Holtschlag serving as the “bank” in the transaction. In 2020, Jason Goble, who operated the site by himself in 2018 and 2019, asked to be released from the contract for deed arrangement and Holtschlag agreed. Holtschlag has never revealed his specific asking price for the property. The land was appraised for $312,000 in 2012, but that figure did not include any structures, equipment, etc., that would have been part of any sale.

Albert Scott, who died at age 87 in August 2000, founded the track in 1975 and was directly involved in its operation until three years before his death. Albert Scott’s son, Bob Scott, took over track operation in 1993 and served as the track’s chief executive officer through early 2007. That’s when Tony Rhinberger and Mike Karhoff bought the site. The Rhinberger-Karhoff tandem was the first of seven ownership groups between 2007-2019.

QUINCY RACEWAYS OPERATIONAL TIMELINE

• 2021: Jim Laurience takes over as director of operations, renting the facility from Paul Holtschlag.
• 2020-21: Track closed
• 2018-19: Jason Goble
• 2017: Jason Goble-Robert Goble
• 2014-17: Kenny Dobson, director of operations (Holtschlag owner)
• 2011-14: Paul Holtschlag-Bob Rhinberger
• 2009-11: Tony Rhinberger-Paul Holtschlag
• 2008-09: Tony Rhinberger
• 2007-09: Tony Rhinberger-Mike Karhoff
• 1993-2007: Bob Scott
• 1975-93: Albert Scott

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