Been hearing rumors about this the past few days, come home from work tonight and check the website and well it's now official.
I was only ever at the track a few times (two hour drive from here), but it's always sad to see a track close that hosted races annually since 1950. Ray Evernham, the Truex's, the Blewetts, Richie Evans, Jimmy Spencer among others all either called the track Home or may frequent stops there each year during their careers. It held the Garden State Classic for 53 years and the Turkey Derby for 36 years (well would be 36 this Novembers race but I don't think that'll be happening).
It always sucks to see another go, especially when part of the reason for it dieing is because of the greedy construction company that owns it.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM JIM MORTON
Dated: Friday, September 3, 2010
I am very sorry to have to release this message, but I have depleted all my resources, and it is a flat out matter of money.
I opened the race track back up after it was closed by the property owners in 2008. I opened it knowing I was financially way over my head, but I knew if it did not open for the 2008 calendar year that the race track would be closed permanently, as it operates under a non use variance in the town, and if it went an entire year without running the variance would expire.
With all this said, I was able to lease the track from the owners for Turkey Derby, upon it's success I was able to lease the track for 2009, and again in 2010.
2009 was a lose, but close enough that I thought I could be profitable for 2010 as I had many verbal commitments for advertising and sponsorships. Unfortunately, the economy continued to spiral downward and people were not able to keep those commitments.
For what the amount of the lease is, it is impossible to run the race track on attendance alone. I went to the property owners to try to renegotiate my lease, as I could not meet the original lease agreement, there answer to my request was no. My request was not only the money, but the the time when the payments were due, I therefore had no choice but to shut down and vacate the property at the owners demand.
I truly pray that someone will come forward who has the means to keep our beloved Wall Stadium alive. I want to thank all my employees, racers, and fans who supported the track. I don't want to get into a long drawn out thank you to every single person who was involved, though everyone is deserving of that, but I want to say thank you to Bob Fox who was the maintenance man who kept the place glued together, and my pal Mench, no one will really how how much you really did around there, and last but not least, Susan Simpson for your unwavering support of the racers, the fans and myself, and my business, your hours of endless dedication to the success of Wall Stadium, it would not have lasted as long as it did without you, I can't thank you enough.
Please understand I want nothing but success for this racetrack. I know there are some talks currently going on for the continuation of the track, I pray that they become reality, remember never say never, and never give up, thanks again for all your support, we had 2 more years than we thought we would have when it was closed down in 2008.
May God Bless You All,
Jim Morton
I was only ever at the track a few times (two hour drive from here), but it's always sad to see a track close that hosted races annually since 1950. Ray Evernham, the Truex's, the Blewetts, Richie Evans, Jimmy Spencer among others all either called the track Home or may frequent stops there each year during their careers. It held the Garden State Classic for 53 years and the Turkey Derby for 36 years (well would be 36 this Novembers race but I don't think that'll be happening).
It always sucks to see another go, especially when part of the reason for it dieing is because of the greedy construction company that owns it.
