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#1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 581
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Larry Clayton
JUPITER, FL – November 13, 2014 – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG) President & CEO, Jason Rittenberry, announced today that the Company has acquired Maryland International RacewaySM (MDIR) in Budds Creek, Maryland. Last month, IRG announced a major financing agreement with TPG Specialty Lending (NYSE:TSLX) that funded a recapitalization of the Company and the acquisition of two additional motorsports venues, including Maryland International Raceway. MDIR becomes the fifth motorsports and entertainment facility in the IRG portfolio of brands, joining sister tracks Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida; Memphis International Raceway in Millington, Tennessee; Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, Arizona; and Cordova International Raceway in Cordova, Illinois. Founded in 1966, MDIR has been owned and operated since 1990 by the Miller family – Royce and Linda, along with their sons Jason and Chris. One of the most respected track operators in the drag racing industry, Royce Miller joins IRG as the Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the track division and leading the team of vice presidents and general managers from each venue. A highly successful track operator and event promoter, Royce will report to IRG President & CEO Jason Rittenberry, and will work closely with Scott Gardner, President of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). “Royce brings 25 years of expertise, talent and knowledge in track operations and promotions to IRG," noted Rittenberry. “This will undoubtedly bring enhancements and refinements in the management of our operations at all the IRG tracks across the country. I’m certain that Royce will prove to be one of the greatest assets to the company to date.” “I am looking forward to my new role as COO in overseeing and assisting all of the IRG owned tracks. With the wealth of experience and knowledge of the GMs at each track along with my 25 years of experience as a track operator, we will have an exceptional national team capable of great things,” stated Royce Miller. “I know I will learn as much from them as they can learn from me. We will take the best ideas and structures to each IRG raceway and make these tracks among the best run and exciting venues in the country.” An IHRA member track since 1992, MDIR has hosted numerous IHRA national events including the President’s Cup Nationals, part of the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series show which is currently airing weekly on MAVTV. The legendary 19th Annual World Cup Finals were held at MDIR last weekend; the 3-day event will continue to be hosted there in the future |
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#2 |
Live Reporter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New Bern, NC
Posts: 3,467
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Wow a little surprised but atleast the powers that be had sense enough to appoint Mr Miller to a position that could benefit IHRA and hopefully keep MIR one of the best tracks to race at. Hopefully a win win for everyone.
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James Williamson W200 J/SA. SS/JA |
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#3 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,420
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Down here in Florida at their flagship track Palm Beach raceway which is a very nice facility. They do not run any sportsman classes at the nitro jam and they don't run a pro am there either. Hopefully they won't follow that direction at the new track
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Mike Pearson 2485 SS |
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#4 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Dela-where?
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Wow. I am with Mike on this, I hope they don't change it for the worst, I love that track. Good luck to Royce on his new appointment....
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KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Baytown, TX
Posts: 340
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Jason and Chris will be running MIR, so the track is in good hands. With Royce as COO for track operations, the "customer experience" should improve at the other four tracks - not criticizing, but Royce set a pretty high standard at MIR and I don't think that will change.
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 221
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Look for the next one to be San Antonio. There is already a "San Antonio International Raceway LLC" in FL with the same address as the other tracks and IHRA.
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K Danner STK 468 |
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#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Donaldsonville, LA
Posts: 977
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I hope they fix the track surface becuase the facility overall is very nice.
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Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo, Jr. 4865 E/SA '04 GTO 4865 SS/GA '99 Firebird |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Baytown, TX
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
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