This time, unfortunately, the rumors are true.

Speculation that Wall Township Speedway would not open this season are fact, not fiction, a fax from managing partner Timothy H. Shinn of Manasquan said on Friday.

Shinn's signature represented the four partners who own the speedways Fred Archer, Joseph Sanzari and the Creamer brothers (Fletch, Glenn and Dale).

"It is with an extremely heavy heart that I must, at this time, formally announce the closing of our beloved Wall Township Speedway, formerly known to the vast majority of us as Wall Stadium," the release said.

Shinn, a former modified race-car owner at the track, sponsoring such drivers as Tom Mauser, and the late John Blewett III and his brother, Jimmy.

Shinn's race-cars ran under the flag of United Crane Rentals Inc., his company based in Kenilworth.

Wall Township administrator Joe Verrunni admitted there had been many rumors about the status of the track, but was surprised it had been closed.

"That's a surprise," he said, unable to elaborate any further on the stunning news other than to say, "There has been a million rumors."

"I feel terrible about it," said Bill Johnson, an owner of Kelle Chevrolet in Farmingdale and a longtime sponsor of the track, "Like I lost a relative.

"What a shame," who was even a race director for a short time under the new owners, who bought Wall Stadium from the Nicole family, the original owners, Feb. 26, 2002.




Well the writing was on the wall for a long time for Wall Speedway here in Jersey. For the past several seasons, it was unkown whether or not the Speedway would open for the season. Looks like time finally ran out.  It's a shame, a lot of local speedways across the US are shutting down because of operating costs. Developers have also been trying to get a hold of this land for a long time.

This is the track that Martin Truex Jr. cut his teeth on. His cousin Curtis raced there as well, up until the past couple of years.  I've been to this track a number of times. Saw some Cup drivers there as well... You can see those pictures in the race photos section. Too bad we won't ever be going back.