Speedway up for grabs in August race

By: 
Staff report

The deed and title to Badlands Motor Speedway, formerly Husets Speedway, will be awarded to the winner of an Aug. 13 race. Jamie Hult/BV Journal

Chuck Brennan has a knack for keeping things interesting.
And last week, when the Sioux Falls native posted online that he intends to part ways with the speedway he purchased from the Rubin family in 2015, he announced that he plans to do so in a very unique way.
“This is the first time ever in any facet of the racing world that such an event has taken place,” Brennan said.
Brennan announced that he intends to run a race on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the track, and ownership of the Brandon track will serve as the grand prize. He’s placed an 18-car minimum, 36-car maximum stipulation on the race.  
According to the June 14 post on Husets.com, Brennan plans to release the official rules, processes and procedures on or before 5 p.m. (CT) Wednesday, June 19. 
“We have been aggressively trying to get the Speedway sold and in the hands of a great new ownership group to bring this iconic venue that was opened in 1957 back to life for the city of Brandon, the race fans, the race teams, and auto racing in general,” the post revealed.
Brennan said he invested more than $18 million into the remodel and rebuild of the track and its many amenities. The speedway operated for a full season in 2016 under his ownership and nearly 40 events (racing, concerts, monster trucks, moto-cross) were staged that first year. 
In 2017, the Dollar Loan Center mogul put the Speedway on the market for approximately $9 million. Brennan said he’s agreed to sell the facility several times, but in every circumstance the deal fell through “as the buyers/posers were all talk and no dough.”
Earlier this year, an attempt to sell the track to former owner Steve Rubin, also fell through.
The cost per car to race will be a non-refundable $200,000 deposit; however, if the 18-car minimum is not met, the race will not be run. A maximum of 36 cars will be allowed to compete. The race night would feature three heat races of 12 cars with 24 cars making it to the main race a 40-lap feature.
If 18 cars register, Brennan stands to recoup $3.6 million; 36 entries would double it to $7.2 million, minus prize money for second through fourth. While the winner of the race will gain the track, second through fourth places also stand to reap reward. Second place wins $200,000; third and fourth places win $100,000. According to the post, the winner will have the option to keep or sell the track.
The clear title entire racing facility will be placed in trust with the Speedway’s partner trust company, Title Company & Bank. The legal team of Meierhenry Sargent LLP in Sioux Falls, will handle the transaction.
In case of a rain out, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug.14 and 15 have been blocked off as rain dates.
The race will be open to the public and information will be forthcoming on ticket, suite and VIP pricing. 
“This is real and this is not a test, a feeler, or a joke in any fashion,” the post on Husets.com read. “We cannot wait for this race to happen and this legendary facility to find a new owner in the most appropriate way ever imagined.”
 

Category:

The Brandon Valley Journal

 

The Brandon Valley Journal
1404 E. Cedar St.
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-9999

Email Us

Facebook Twitter

Please Login for Premium Content