Behind the racing at Twin Cities Speedway in North Vernon, Indiana

For as long as I can remember, Twin Cities Speedway has been around. Different promoters, different car classes--and boy, how the cars have changed! I remember when street stocks looked like today's purestocks. I remember chicken wire for windshields. I remember when there was no wall around Twin Cities. Back then, new rules were being created each week by track officials, due to drivers getting around the short list of rules that existed. The track couldn't keep up trying to keep the cars even and fair. Now there is a long list of rules for each class.

I found this old video of a race at Twin Cities in the 1950's, a treasure passed down through my family, who loved and was in to racing while I was growing up. The car was actually built by my father, Jim Short, and the Law Brothers, (Roger, Tommy, and Victor, who now own the Sprint Car #77). Click here to see the video or copy and past the link into your browser. http://gregowensracing.com/dadtwincities.wmv Anyway, things have changed, but one thing remains. Successful Tracks=great drivers+loyal fans+great promoters. Even though Twin Cities has gone through many changes, the track still remains, and is going strong after all these years.

Driving through the town of North Vernon, you can bet you will see driver numbers in the back windows of vehicles, supporting their favorite race car. No, I am not talking about Stewart, or Jr., these are local drivers who race weekly that area fans choose to display support for in the form of vinyl stickers. Most people in Jennings County and surrounding counties know a lot of the drivers that frequent Twin Cities. Each Sunday, at restaurants and diners across the county, folks sit and recount the previous nights events, of which driver stole the show, or which driver did this or that, or would of, could of stuff. Drivers are in their garages,discussing the previous race, using the info to make adjustments to the car, the motor, or strategies discussed to improve upon the next scheduled race. Racing is not just about on the track, racing is everything that surrounds it. From building the car, to getting there, to the people who make it happen at the track, to the fans who support the sport, and finally the actual excitement of the racing part of it. Most people only see the outcome of the races and the action of racing, but what about everything else that goes along with it? What kind of exciting things happen in the pits before the racing begins? Well, Dirt Scoops is opening a window into that world with our first look at Twin Cities Speedway on April 26th, 2008!

Twin Cities Promoters: Mason and Tawnya Fleetwood

Picture below taken by Mark Schaefer

First off, meet the promoters of Twin Cities Raceway Park, Tawnya and Mason Fleetwood. (Pictured on the left). They have two children, Chanler, 9 and Colton, 12. Both boys share the activities around racing with their parents, and love the promoting business as well. "They get upset when they have to play ball and have to miss a race," Tawnya laughed.

When asked if any of their kids wanted to get into racing, Tawnya replied that Colton, their eldest, plans on starting next year. So look out for this rookie next season! She then stated, "Chanler wants to drive a sprint car when he gets older." So, it looks like racing has planted roots in this family that will live on through their children, as with many family's who frequent the track.

In the short time I have met and known Tawnya, she is always laughing and smiling, and always quick to hand out compliments, praise, and thank yous. But when she is seen at the track, she is a blur as she walks by, as she is always busy working on her long list of nightly tasks. She does a lot of the work herself, and doesn't mind pulling up her sleeves to do some track cleaning and other chores associated with running the track. This couple has huge hearts and really care about their family, workers, fans, and their drivers. When you get to know them first hand, it shows.

Their week consists of a long list of chores getting ready for the upcoming race events. Each week, preparing the track starts all over every Monday morning. "It's a 24 hour job", states Mason, "I got 47 calls this past Monday alone, and average about 30 calls a day pertaining to track business." The family duo currently promote two tracks, Twin Cities Raceway Park in Vernon, Indiana, as well as Thunder Valley Raceway which is located in Salem, Indiana. Right now, Twin Cities employs approximately 25 people and Thunder Valley employs approximately around 12 people. All of which stay pretty busy throughout the week and on race days.

With their hectic weekly schedules, Tawnya shared that Sundays were reserved for family time. This is the day they spend quality time with their boys and each other."We turn the phones off and try not to do any track business on Sundays," stated Tawnya. Mason added with a laugh, "If Tawnya does start talking about the track, I tell her I don't want to hear about the track today."

"Sunday is our family day!" shares Tawyna

Tawnya told Dirt Scoops that her biggest challenge is ensuring that all products for the track is ordered, delivered and ready to go on race day. All the while, Mason is always busy doing the track maintenance and building maintenance. Mason stays busy working on the track to improve the surface for drivers. "Mother nature hasn't been too kind this year," he added. They both wanted to thank Kings Excavating for helping with the track maintenance. "Pooch is what they call him, he is the the owner and operator of Kings Excavating", Tawnya laughed. So, thanks from the Fleetwoods, "Pooch!".

The following is a run down of a normal week for the Fleetwoods.

Monday - Spent ordering products for the upcoming races. While Tawnya was telling me this information, I heard Mason in the background, "Catching up on our yard work!" I myself wondered when these two had time to catch up on their personal tasks! They also try to do work in their Sign Shop, Wildside Graphics on Mondays. (Yeah, they own and operate a sign and lettering business as well, they also took on the responsibility of running the concessions for their sons' ball league. I thought to myself, 'When do these guys find time to breathe?')

Tuesday - They are at Vernon doing things to get ready for Saturday. (Maintenance, deliveries, etc.)

Wednesday - They are at Thunder Valley doing things to get ready for Friday. (Maintenance, deliveries, etc.)

Thursday - Back at Vernon.

Friday - Race Day at Thunder Valley

Saturday - Race Day at Twin Cities.

Some of the more exciting and important races on the Fleetwoods list are:

Don Russ Memorial, Mark Clark Memorial, Ted Collins Memorial.

To see more information about these races and other exciting upcoming races, visit the Twin Cities Website at http://www.twincitiesracing.net/.

Tawnya also told me, "Last year was our first Don Russ Memorial. This race really means a lot to us and the fans and drivers. The Mark Clark Memorial is also a BOSS race this year. That is a new series that supports the superstock class. The Ted Collins Memorial is just as important. The Collins family has been around for a long time." .

Mason also told me that after every drivers meeting at Twin Cities and Thunder Valley, they share a prayer. "This is something that is a bit different than other tracks, but we incorporate our christian beliefs. I have had comments from drivers that they really like the prayer."

On April 26th, the Fleetwoods teamed up with Dave Rudisell of Lawrenceburg Speedway, to provide a track for Lawrenceburg Sprints to run until the expansion on the track is complete. To read more about the progress on this work, go to the Lawrenceburg Speedway Website.

Below is some photos and comments captured during the evening of April 26th at the track!

Running a track is a team effort, there is no "I" in team! Those who help make it happen at the track!

A look at who is part of the team!

Photo by Victoria Owens

Smiling, Gina Gilpin, Mason Fleetwoods Sister, meets, greets and checks the drivers in at the pit gate!

Photo above by K&S Racing Images

The one and only, Mark Schaefer, (Schaefer on Dirt Scoops) who owns Schaefer Tees. He also is an employee of Twin Cities, and does the Twin Cities and Thunder Valley Web sites. He also does the awesome graphics that we always see on the sites!
(Thanks to him for the awesome Dirt Scoops T-Shirts he donated)
By the way, he does have a car of his own!

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