ABC Raceway Hoping to Set Season-Opening Date Soon

by Nick Gima

                Ashland, WI, May 13 — Despite the announcement earlier today that the Wisconsin State Supreme Court had overturned Gov. Tony Evers’ “Safer at Home” quarantine order, the ABC Raceway’s Board of Directors will stand by its decision not to open its 2020 stock car racing season on its originally-scheduled start date of May 16.

                According to Raceway Board president Eric Erickson, the State Supreme Court’s decision does not change the Ashland-Bayfield County Racing Association’s intent to take every precaution in making sure that it is safe for fans, racers and track staff to attend a program at the northern Wisconsin facility.

                “We are going to be cautious in our decision-making with regard to opening and operating our racetrack,” Erickson said shortly after the announcement of the Court ruling. “We will put the health and safety of our fans, racers and workers first as we set a course of action.”

                The Raceway’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet in a closed-door session on Monday, May 18, during which a game plan will be discussed for opening the facility to host stock car racing events. The plan will include setting a target date on which to get the race season started.

                “We will strictly follow any guidelines set by local, state and Federal officials as to when we can open, how many people we can allow in the gates, what we need to do to keep people safe and protected, and so forth,” Erickson stated. “Those guidelines will help us determine when and how we will proceed with the 2020 season.”

                Erickson said he hopes to be able to announce a date for the season opener by as early as Tuesday, May 19. The date will be posted on the Raceway’s website and FaceBook pages as soon as it is set.

                The ABC Raceway is located 3-1/2 miles south of Ashland, WI.  More information is available on the track’s website, www.abcraceway.com.