DODGE CITY, Kan. – City of Dodge City and Ford County officials have announced that Craig Dollansky and his wife, Julie, will serve as the new promoters of Dodge City Raceway Park.
The Dollanskys will operate the three-eighths-mile dirt track under the Craig Dollansky Racing banner. The news comes after a competitive request for proposals process.
A selection committee with representatives from the city, county, the Community Facility Advisory Board, the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, and the racing community interviewed three qualified candidates.
The committee’s recommendation was then taken to CFAB to approve an agreement with CDR, followed by the Joint City and County Commissions’ approval.
“Craig Dollansky Racing brings twenty-five years of professional management experience and dirt track promotions to the DCRP,” said City Manager Nick Hernandez. “Craig and Julie Dollansky are the dynamic duo that make up this partnership, and both have a wealth of experience in the coordination of event dates, scheduling, brand recognition and fan interaction. Combined with his 25 plus years of racing experience all over the world, they will bring fresh ideas to enhance the experience here at DCRP.”
Dollansky is well recognized in the world of American dirt track racing, with 66 wins in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. He has also participated in the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals and in Indy Lights.
His racing career has also taken him around the world to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Dollansky’s wife, Julie, has an art and graphics background and has built a successful apparel and souvenir business.
Her expertise in promotion, brand awareness, and display advertising will greatly benefit the overall operation of DCRP. She also held a 2003 land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
“The Dollanskys’ mission to host and promote a venue that showcases a creative lineup of motorsports events for people to enjoy exceptional entertainment is a perfect fit for DCRP, which is a ‘Why Not Dodge’ sales tax facility,” said Ford County Administrator JD Gilbert.
“We are excited and look forward to this new chapter in our racing resume,” said Craig and Julie Dollansky in a statement. “DCRP is a first-class facility, and we are grateful for this opportunity.”
Asked about their plans for the upcoming season and when work on a schedule will begin, Julie explained, “Craig and I brainstormed quite a bit early on, when we visited the first time, and in preparing our proposal for presentation to the city.
“Running a track has always been in the back of our minds and we look forward to this opportunity.”
Dodge City Raceway Park has hosted several major sprint car events in recent years, including the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the DCRP 305 Sprint Car Nationals.
Jacob Allen and Sheldon Haudenschild split the victories in this year’s two-day World of Outlaws Boot Hill Showdown at the three-eighths-mile dirt oval, while Jake Bubak topped the DCRP 305 Sprint Car Nationals for the second year in a row.