Mayors Vote Breaks Tie
Changes include some Sunday events, allowing beer drinkers in bleachers
In racing, it's called a "splash 'n' go." That's track-speak describing a late-race
pit maneuver when drivers bring in their car for only a small amount of fuel if their car is in danger of running out of gas
before the end of the race.
Mayor Beth Davis provided that splash Monday when she broke a tie-vote to give Lincoln Speedway a victory in its ongoing
efforts to have the city council ease up on restrictions that owners have said hampered the racetrack's operation and profits.
"Merry Christmas," said a smiling track co-owner Don Hammer after Davis broke the 5-5 vote in his favor.
Hammer has been trying for months to persuade the council to lift scheduling restrictions at the racetrack at the Logan
County Fairgrounds. In November, he told aldermen, "You're killing me," when they voted down his request to allow the weekly
races on either Saturdays or Sundays during the 2007 season.
The racetrack opened two years ago with a Sunday-night calendar amid controversy over noise and dust. Last year, aldermen
permitted track owners to shift to a Saturday-only schedule, a move council members said dramatically reduced the amount of
complaints they received about the speedway.
Hammer, who became half-owner of the operation late in the season this year, had earlier told the council he needs flexibility
to compile a new schedule for next year's races. Apparently undaunted by the council's November rejection of his request,
Hammer and co-owner Norm Horn again appealed last week for aldermen to consider a new proposal allowing them to schedule a
third of the speedway's races on Sundays.
Hammer and Horn apparently found an ally in Alderman Marty Neitzel, who introduced a motion Monday to grant all of the
speedway's new requests. Included are:
Allowing the track to hold seven or eight races during the new season on Sundays, with a 10:30 p.m. curfew.
Permitting promoters to schedule one event during a weekday, with the flexibility to reschedule the race if inclement
weather postpones or delays the program.
Letting track patrons take beer into the bleachers, instead of being isolated in a ground-level, fenced-in area south
of the track seating.
Giving the speedway permission to hire its own security staff instead of being directed to utilize off-duty police officers.
"I feel they are compromising," Neitzel said, referring to the speedway's new petition to the council. "I'd like to retain
the racetrack in Lincoln. ... We are trying to bring business to Lincoln.
"Alderman Verl Prather, who has been a supporter of the track, opposed the new package of requests. He voiced concerns
about the alcohol and security portions of the petition, explaining that the council originally imposed restrictions on the
speedway to appease public concerns. "It's not a rowdy night club," responded Hammer, adding he's never had problems at a
track he operates in Farmer City, where Hammer provides his own security and beer is allowed in the bleachers. He said having
the ability to provide his own security would be less costly than hiring sworn police officers.
Hammer said he intends to invite the Lincoln Veterans of Foreign Wars post to return next season to operate the beer concession.
Hammer said the post retains all profits from its beer stand. Aldermen joining Prather in voting against the requests were
perennial track opponents Benny Huskins, Kathy Horn, O.V. "Buzz" Busby and Wanda Rohlfs. Busby has previously voted for some
speedway requests, but he has voiced all-out opposition to Sunday racing.
WoO Late Models Coming to Lincoln and Farmer City
Farmer City- Friday April 27--$10,000 to win
Lincoln-Sunday May 13--$7,000 to win
POWERi Series Sets Two Dates in Lincoln
Saturday April 21
Sunday September 16
