Last lap for track? Owner reluctantly puts Sandusky Speedway on market

PERKINS TWP. — The proposition of putting Sandusky Speedway on the market didn't sit well with longtime track owner Kevin Jaycox, but he felt that it was time to let go after operating the local racing landmark for 18 years. "I guarantee I'll have a complete breakdown the day it happens," Jaycox said this week from his home on the speedway grounds. "It's the right thing to do. I love the race track, I love the people, but it takes an unbelievable amount of time to do what needs to be done." "I'm getting older. I've got a really good job and it's taking more time. I've got grandkids; I want to spend more time when them and my kid (Kevin Jr., who races at the track)." The speedway, an integral part of the local racing scene for seven decades, has been for sale for several weeks. It is listed at $1,499,000 by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. The listing agent is Ronda Jedrzejek, whose husband Tim is a past winner of the Hy-Miler Supermodifieds Nationals, the speedway's biggest race. Jaycox said several people have looked at the property on Perkins Avenue. "Three have looked seriously," he said. "We've had one offer. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't enough." Jaycox said he's thought about selling for a couple years and decided to move ahead with the idea in January. His job as director of operations for Kansas City-based Hallcon took him out of town for several weeks earlier this year, and the increased travel factored into his decision. "I came back and thought, 'What if this would've happened in the summer?' " Jaycox said. "I'm not going to have enough time and I'm not going to dump it on my family. "I literally cried my eyes out when I was making the decision. This place becomes you; there's so much history at this place." Jaycox, who runs the track with his wife, Bev, plans to host races this year. He said he's already signed contracts with sponsors and traveling race organizations, but has no idea when cars will be able to hit the half-mile oval. The track's original opening day was April 25, but that has been put on hold indefinitely due to the coronavirus and Ohio's stay-at-home order that currently is in effect through at least May 1. "We're hoping to race, but every day it looks like the opening might not happen," Jaycox said. Jaycox would prefer to sell the facility to a racing-friendly buyer, but he's realistic about the value of the 30-plus acres situated in the heart of a busy township. "I would love to see someone buy it and put a ton of money into it and keep it a racetrack and upgrade some things," he said. "But we know the most money you can get out of this is from the property." Capacity at the track's grandstands is about 4,200. Jaycox said the Hangover race on Jan. 1, the three-day Hy-Miler weekend in late July and the Cavalcade in early October are the facility's three largest events. "If you come in and have money, you could probably live off those three events comfortably," he said. Jaycox said last year's Hy-Miler and his second Hy-Miler at the track were the most successful events during his tenure. The half-mile track opened in 1950. It was paved in 1955 and repaved in 2003. The property includes an office building and a single-family home. Jaycox moved from Elyria when he purchased the track and said he and Bev want to settle in the area after the sale is complete. "The town's great and the people mean a lot to us," he said. "I've done it all with just family. To get ready for a Saturday is 80-90 hours of work during the week, plus cutting grass here is two days, nonstop." When asked what his favorite event has been, he said: "Any event when someone wins their first race. To see the emotions and the family going nuts, it's really cool." Attica, Fremont tracks cancel April race dates Attica Raceway Park has canceled all events this month, including the Core & Main Spring Nationals originally set for Friday and Saturday, due to the state of Ohio's stay-at-home order, which is in effect through May 1. "We encourage all our fans and race teams to practice the social distancing guidelines. The more people do this the faster we can get back to doing what we enjoy and the more lives we save," said Rex LeJeune, director of operations at ARP. Meanwhile, Fremont Speedway has postponed its April 18 and April 25 events. Track officials will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation and make adjustments to the 2020 racing schedule as needed to comply with the state's orders. "Right now we are looking at possible make-up dates for these two events. We want our race fans, race teams and track staff to be safe and stay healthy and encourage everyone to do their part when it comes to social distancing and to stay at home if at all possible," said Ryan Schiets, Fremont Speedway Board of Directors member. Fremont's season opener -- the Custom Metal Works Open Wheel Shoot-Out -- is scheduled for Saturday, May 2.