Grandview Speedway attracting healthy crowds and advertisers

            When the agreement to sell the Grandview Speedway fell apart last year, the family that owns the racetrack decided to maintain business as usual, and track officials have begun building the schedule for the 2024 season.

            Last fall, when a national vehicle auction company ended its bid to purchase the

Miranda Koder/ Town and Country Cars circle the track at Grandview Speedway prior to the 30- lap T.P. Trailer NASCAR  Modified feature on July 29

Washington Township track, the Rogers family decided to continue with business as usual, according to spokesperson Jeff Ahlum. He said Theresa Rogers, 81, is content to maintain the current format so long as her adult children are willing to continue doing most of the work.

            "It's been successful," said Ahlum, who handles the announcing, public relations and marketing for the track, located at 43 Passmore Road in the village of Bechtelsville.

           Driver Mark Kratz believes most drivers have developed a renewed appreciation for the track. The Pennsburg resident, who competes in the Modified division, said he's "kind of pleased" that the deal fell through.

            "I'm glad it's still there," said Kratz, who has raced at the track since 2006. "As long as the family is there, and I am still racing, I will support it."

            This season, advertising at the track has increased. Ahlum said the car count has been as strong as before, and the crowds have been healthy when the weather is good.

            "We're very fortunate," said Ahlum, who described those three factors as necessary legs in the proverbial stool that maintains the sport. "What happened last year provided a wake-up call for everyone."

            The threat of a sale definitely opened a lot people's eyes to the value of the track, according to Lex Shive, who competes in the Modified division. He said it increased the appreciation of drivers, car owners, crew members and fans.

            "Everyone realized that tracks can disappear," said Shive, who grew up in Marlborough and lives in Limerick. "When that happens, they don't come back."

            Ahlum noted crowds swelled during the final weeks of the 2022 season following the August announcement of an agreement of sale between the family and Copart, Inc. – a global provider of online vehicle auction and remarketing services to automotive resellers, with a facility at 2704 Geryville Pike in Upper Hanover – for the track. Terms of the agreement were not released.

            The spokesperson described the offer from Copart as an anomaly. He said it "came out of left field."

            "The family is not afraid to listen to different offers," said Ahlum, who added that the Rogers were not actively looking to sell the property.

            However, zoning issues led to the eventual cancellation of the deal. The Washington Township code enforcement officer rejected Copart's zoning application on Sept. 28.

            The decision focused on application language, according to Township Manager Rich Sichler. The manager claimed the applicant had requested to store vehicles, heavy equipment and trailers on the 35.05-acre property. The latter two items are not currently permitted based on legal language, noted Sichler.

            When a self-imposed deadline – in November – passed, Rogers canceled the agreement. Ahlum said Rogers set the deadline with the intent of allowing the drivers, 80 percent of whom are headquartered within 30 minutes of the track, to consider other options.

            "A lot of people were waiting to see what was going to happen," the spokesperson said.

            Kratz said four or five Sportsman team owners sold some of their equipment when the deal was announced. He said he knows of one Modified driver who gave up his own car last year and is currently driving for the entity that provides vehicle parts.

            Ahlum claims track advertising has nearly doubled this season. He said the number of track signs sold has increased, and that creation of an "advertise here" sign has generated multiple phone calls.