When we re-opened the gates here at Gateway Motorsports Park in 2012, I made a personal, long-term commitment to reignite motor sports at the professional and grass-roots level in St. Louis. I grew up racing on this track, which drives a very personal desire to ensure that we give St. Louis what it deserves — a top-tier, major-league racing facility just minutes from their homes. We made great strides in delivering on my vision during the 2012 season; now we are prepared to get the excitement and growth shifted into high gear as we enter a new season.
We generated some real successes in our Inaugural Season. Gateway hosted Manufacturer shows this year that included Super Chevy and Fun Ford Weekends. For both of these series, Gateway Motorsports Park hosted the best-attended events nationally. We set a new record for Friday attendance at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals as well as growing the event over the two prior year events in St. Louis. Those wins did not come easily, but it did demonstrate that we can were able to outpace facilities with long traditions and history.
This year we plan to build on that success with the expansion of our car show and racing programs by incorporating the Mega Mopar Weekend into the Manufacturer Series as well as adding the All American Hot Rod Showdown presented by your Mid-America Chevy Dealers. The Showdown will see the winners from each of the Manufaturer events compete for the Grand Championship Titles in racing and show car classes. In addition, we will be hosting a similar show for those who love all things truck — The Mid-America Truckathon. Additional events that have been added to the schedule are The Night of Fire and Thunder season opener, the X-treme Drag Racing League, an Outlaw Shootout Series, a Monster Truck show, a TORC Series off-road truck race, and the long-awaited reopening of our oval track with the return of the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series.
Additions will come in the form of race venues as well, part of a multi-million dollar capital improvement campaign. We have already improved the drag strip by fine tuning the new racing surface and will continue working towards our goal of being the fastest track in the country. We have begun working on an area for an off-road truck racing track that will serve dual purpose for truck pulls and other dirt related events. We are currently working on a nationally sanctioned kart racing facility with adjoining club house and garages. Garages will also be built on the infield as part of our Founders Club to allow individuals to purchase space at the track as well as to house our own fleet of cars to support a racing experience at the track, the Gateway Challenge Race program.
Regardless of where your passions lie in the world of motor sports or if you are a fan-in-the-making, Gateway is growing to provide an exciting destination for you and your family. We look forward to seeing you experience the thrill of all our events.
It’s a new day. Race Gateway!
Curtis D. Francois
President/ Owner
Gateway Motorsports Park