Toby Kruse Named Promoter at Beatrice Speedway

Kruse named Speedway promoter

By Jane White/Daily Sun sports editor
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 9:25 AM CST

Beatrice Speedway will have a new promoter in 2008.

Toby Kruse of Ames, Iowa, was hired Monday night by the Gage County Agriculture Society to oversee operations at the local racetrack.

“Toby's experience in the racing industry is outstanding and we are pleased that he has accepted our offer,” Gage County Ag Society president Roger Henrichs said.

Henrichs said the opportunity to bring Kruse to the Beatrice Speedway came at the “right time” for the Ag Society.

“Toby's enthusiasm and motor sports experience is what Beatrice Speedway needs in this challenging industry,” Henrichs said.

Kruse has worked in the motor sports field for nearly 20 years as a chief starter, a track announcer and a director with the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA). He is currently the promoter at Marshalltown Speedway in Iowa.

Kruse will continue as promoter at Marshalltown Speedway, which races on Friday evenings on the Central Iowa Fairgrounds and features four IMCA classes - Hobby Stocks, Modifieds, SportMods and Stock Cars - on a high-banked quarter-mile clay oval.

In 2008, Kruse will be beginning his third season as promoter at Marshalltown, having been named to the position in November 2005.

When it comes to his new position as promoter at the Beatrice Speedway, Kruse said things “moved fast.”

Initially, Kruse said he started talking with the Gage County Ag Society about their options concerning future operation of the local racetrack.

“They were looking at options for the future and since I've been fortunate to be involved in racing for about 20 years, I was offering them some advice on different situations,” Kruse said.

Kruse said the Ag Society was interested in things he's done at the track in Marshalltown.

“One thing led to the next and they asked if I'd have an interest in this (promoting),” Kruse said.

Initially, Kruse said he dismissed the idea.

The more he thought about it, however, he said he decided it might work.

“I decided to give it a shot,” Kruse said.

Kruse said he was “introduced” to the Beatrice Speedway by former promoter Allen Langdale about 13 or 14 years ago.

“I've had a love for the place ever since,” Kruse said.

When it comes to facilities, Kruse said the Beatrice Speedway is “fantastic.”

“The last track I took over needed a complete facelift and three years later we're still working on that,” Kruse said. “Beatrice is a great turn-key operation.”

As the director of track operations for IMCA for four years, Kruse worked with tracks and promoters from across the country, which were sanctioned by IMCA.

“Working for IMCA gave me the opportunity to see race tracks literally from coast-to-coast and border-to-border,” Kruse said.

To date, Kruse said he's seen racing at 155 different tracks in 26 states.

Experiences at the those tracks have helped Kruse learn what works and what doesn't went in comes to short-track racing.

“You can take the things you like and the things you don't like and piece all that together and try to make the best from it,” Kruse said.

In his position with IMCA, Kruse said his job kept him in daily contact with promoters, working with them to help find ways to make their shows better.

While he will be doing a lot of “evaluating” during the 2008 season, Kruse said he won't be making a lot of big changes initially.

All of the classes, which were run at the track in 2007, will be back next season, Kruse said.

The 2007 Beatrice Speedway program included IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds and Factory Stocks on a weekly basis with Cruisers and IMCA Sport Compacts also sharing time on the racing program.

“All the classes will stay the same for '08,” Kruse said. “We won't be cutting or adding anything when it comes to classes.”

Kruse said during the 2008 season track officials will be “watching” car counts in each class to make sure they can “maintain and support themselves.”

“We want to give everybody a shot to come back this next year and prove themselves,” Kruse said.

Midway through the 2008 season, Kruse said decisions will be made regarding classes for the following year.

One of the first goals Kruse has is to run “a timely show” each week.

“A timely show is critical so you can get more interaction between the fans and the racers,” Kruse said. “It gives fans a chance to come meet their heroes.”

Another goal will be to evaluate the speedway's current prices for admission and pit passes, Kruse said.

“That's an area where I think we need to be more competitive,” Kruse said.

When it comes to the 2008 schedule, Kruse said it will mirror 2007.

The 2008 Beatrice Speedway season will begin March 13-15 with the annual Spring Nationals, featuring IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.

Weekly Saturday night races will be held throughout the summer months and the season will wrap up with the annual fall finales, Kruse said.

Kruse said 2008 track information will be updated on the speedway's Web site over the next several weeks.

“By the first of December, we'll have it completely updated,” Kruse said.

Kruse becomes the fourth different promoter for the local race track in five years.

Langdale resigned in June 2004 after a 14-year association with the local racetrack. He was succeeded in 2005 by co-promoters Mike Ottersberg and Mike Frase.

Tim Fralin was hired as promoter prior to the start of the 2006 racing season and served in that capacity through 2007.

Fralin's contract was not renewed for 2008.

“I enjoyed my time as promoter at the Beatrice Speedway,” Fralin said. “It was great working with the fair board, fans, racers and crews of Beatrice Speedway.

“I wish them all great success in the future.”

From Beatrice Speedway

Toby Kruse, of Ames, IA will be the Promoter at Beatrice Speedway for the 2008 Racing season. “Toby’s experience in the racing industry is outstanding and we are pleased that he has accepted our offer,” says President Roger Henrichs.

Kruse has worked in the motor sports field as a Director with IMCA (International Motor Contest Association), Track Announcer for Las Vegas Speedway and is currently the Promoter at Marshalltown Speedway in Iowa.

President Henrichs said, “The opportunity to bring Toby to Beatrice Speedway came at the right time for us. Toby’s enthusiasm and motor sports experience is what Beatrice Speedway needs in this challenging industry.”

Kruse will continue as Promoter at Marshalltown Speedway, which races on Friday evenings, and then help Beatrice Speedway with their events on Saturday.

2008 Season will begin March 13 – 15 with Spring Nationals, featuring IMCA Modified; Hobby and Sport Compacts.

Track progress, complete schedule and more information will be updated on the beatricespeedway.com website next week, or you may call Toby Kruse at 515-231-5444.