By Ken de la Bastide

(March 30, 2014) - With sunny skies and more seasonable temperatures Anderson Speedway officially opened for the start of the 2014 season on Sunday.

After a colder than normal winter and a record amount of snow, fans and
competitors were ready to return to racing action.

Sue Saxon of Indianapolis was making her first visit for racing action at
Anderson Speedway in preparation for her daughter, Nikky, to run a limited number of JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour.

“This is our first time here for a race,” she said. “It’s pretty good.”

Saxon said the family used to race at the “Bullring” in Las Vegas.

“We’re anxious for the season to start,” she said. “We’ll definitely be up
here to practice on the short track.”

Muncie resident John Modgoin hadn’t been to Anderson Speedway for about a decade, but was there on Sunday to watch his buddy JP Crabtree race in the Vores Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman season opener.

“I love coming to this track,” he said. “It’s always been fast. I grew up
around here and used to come on the weekends.”

Modgoin said he is planning on making a number of visits to Anderson
Speedway in 2014.

“I was ready for the racing to start,” he said.

Tristan Crago was at Anderson Speedway with his three-year-old son,
Jasper. Crago is planning on running some of the CRA Street Stock events at Anderson Speedway this season. He is a regular competitor at Angola Speedway in northeastern Indiana.

“I was ready to watch some race cars,” he said. “Our season starts in two weeks.”

Crago said he grew up in the Anderson area and has been to the famed high-banked oval numerous times.

“I’ve been to a lot of the Little 500s,” he said.

Alexis Worthington, Indianapolis, was also making her first visit to
Anderson Speedway and described herself as a big race fan.

“We heard they were racing today and decided to come up,” she said.
Worthington said she has been to many races at the Indianapolis Speedrome, adding the Anderson Speedway is a lot different than the Marion County oval.

“We’ll probably come back up here several more times this year,” she said.

Rick Dawson, owner of Anderson Speedway said fans will notice numerous changes over the course of the next few weeks.

One change is the return of Big Joe’s Event Services that will be
providing the concessions at the track.

“They will be new and improved,” Dawson said. “It’s bringing back old
friends.”

Dawson said once the weather cooperates there will be changes to the
buildings at the track and the grandstands.

“We’re upgrading the facilities,” he said.

Concerning the season, which runs weekly through October, Dawson said the Pay Less Little 500 on May 25 will be bigger than ever.

Other highlights are the Stoops Freightliner Red Bud 300 for the CRA Super Series late models and a new event on Labor Day weekend when the Must See Racing winged sprints will be competing in a 200-lap event.

“Spring is officially here,” Dawson said, “Anderson Speedway is open.”