UMP Modifieds to Headline Weekly Racing Program
Montpelier, IN (Friday, February 4, 2023) - Montpelier Motor Speedway is opening a new chapter in 2023 with lifelong Montpelier resident, Chad King. The 29-year-old is entering a Lease to Own agreement this year to purchase the track and become the new promoter. King has been a longtime supporter of the Speedway, including as a fan, racer, and former sponsor of the Jeremy Casterline owned/Bill Lewis driven no. 9c.
King, a first-time promoter, says he’s leaning a lot on the support of those who came before him.
“Larry taught me a lot and Harold taught me a lot,” King said. “I hope to take what they could not do, due to health or what have you, and do it,” he said.
The key to any track success is the support of the drivers and the fans, something King says is no different for Montpelier in 2023. He says plenty of people have reached out since the announcement he was taking over the facility and there has been no lack of support. King says the Speedway has a lot of plans for the season including several special events.
“I’m about 90% sure there's going to be one big Sprint Car show there this year,” remarked King who is still building a schedule. “There’s going to be a memorial race for the family that lost their son and grandpa right by the track last year. We’re gonna do everything we can to give back to the racers and the community,” said King.
A list of projects and upgrades are on the horizon for Montpelier Motor Speedway, including the construction of a new concessions stand and King says he hopes to be able to do some major work to the race track as well.
“I’ve got a sponsor that wants to come in and they are willing to come and bring some equipment and sponsor the use of it to get the track back in shape,” King explained. [They’ll] redo the corners and get the wall exposed. I plan to have that done before the first race,” he said.
King says the Speedway will have a full schedule of events this season, with weekly racing for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Super Street, Street Stock, and Front-Wheel Drives. A total of 31 races are expected to be on the schedule for 2023, beginning with opening night tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 15th. King says there will be practice leading up to opening night the last weekend in March and the first two weeks in April.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - Heartland Sports Photo