Survey - Most Influential in Local Racing

Preface: one thing I want to mention after receiving many suggestions, is that I'm not looking to make this a competition, but to give an idea of who the "movers and shakers" in local racing are, or even their legacy - whose opinions, actions, businesses, etc. are shaping the future of racing at this time. It's not necessarily a greatest driver, most charitable, nicest guy list - although those could be qualifiers. We'll save those categories for later...

Each year, national media often do a poll/survey/article on who is the most influential in that form of racing. Guys like Bruton Smith are near the top of a NASCAR list, Tony George atop Open Wheel, etc.

What I'm looking for is who do you think is most influential in the Eastern Nebraska / Western Iowa / Northern Kansas area.

It can be a promoter, driver, owner, pit crew member, media member, fan or race personality, sanctioning body head...ANYONE who you think influences the programs run in this area.

I'm not looking for a top __ list, but I think limiting the choices to 5-ish is a good place to start.

I'd like to know who you think they are and if you want, a brief explanation of why.

Since I get so much spam in my email, use the word "survey" in the subject so I can pick 'em out. I'd love to hear from you and if you want your name used please include it and let me know.

I'll compile a list of people's selections later.

Thanks,
Jason

To give an example of what I'm talking about, here's my picks (in alphabetical order)

Dave and Kathy Cook - dirtdrivers.com. This has become the de facto place to pass racing news/gossip/information in the area. There are few places which can kick off more of a reaction without being on the track itself.

Gary Dominguez and the Midwest Racers Autograph Day committee. There are very few groups capable of bringing that kind of display each year from a variety of different tracks/sanctions, visited by that many people.

Delmar Friesen - owner/promoter Junction Motor Speedway. The USMTS spring opener along with the annual USAC Cornhusker challenge have become solid fixtures for this facility. The quality of the facility is a benchmark for new tracks - or any track for that matter.

Roger Hadan - promoter, Eagle Raceway. Roger is pushing the envelope in fan entertainment and involvement, and managed to pull in large and growing weekly crowds while much of the fan count is in decline.

LDI - owners/promoters of Nebraska Raceway Park. The Hornet/Sport Compact class didn't begin there, but the success of it set a huge trend and now these classes have become the back-gate moneymaker for most tracks and redefined the entry level class on dirt. In addition, they still are a strong force behind Late Model racing in this area and have built a successful "motorsports park" concept with Karts and Motocross.

Johnny Saathoff - modified driver, promoter, race components business owner. His success on the track makes him a feared competitor at any IMCA modified race. Jet Mods have won 5 IMCA National titles, and he's beginning to revive racing at the NE State Fair Park with his annual state championship races.

Greg Sanford - owner, Nebraska Motorplex. It only makes sense to call someone who gets the most local press BY FAR without having run a race in years influential. A whisper of the location of a proposed site for the new dragstrip creates a firestorm.