(LEBANON, Missouri) Veteran Ozarks motorsports executive Kevin Greven has been hired to promote Lebanon I-44 Speedway, replacing Craig Armstrong whose tenure as promoter of the 3/8-mile paved oval track will conclude on Saturday, June 2. The announcement was made on behalf of the Willard family, owners of the facility since it was opened in 1983, by Brennon Willard, grandson of track founder Bill Willard.
Greven, whose background in the motorsports industry includes 17 years with O’Reilly Auto Parts in Springfield, Missouri – 8 years as the company’s Motorsports Manager – and stints as promoter of the old Bolivar Speedway and the ‘Diamond of Dirt Tracks’, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, was very enthusiastic about his new role at the only operating asphalt oval in Missouri.
“It’s an honor to fill my new role with Lebanon I-44 Speedway,” Greven stated. “Lebanon and Bolivar are the tracks that got me interested in motorsports years ago, and I feel like I have come full circle to be back home and grow the things at Lebanon that the Willard family, Craig and the team at I-44 have in place.”
Armstrong, who came on board as I-44 Speedway promoter in early April of 2011, will be returning to his ‘home track’ of Iowa Speedway, where he served as General Manager from May of 2006 through December of 2010, and will be heading up communications and promotions initiatives for the $70 million paved oval track, designed by NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace.
“This was a very difficult decision for me, and under any other circumstances I would not be leaving I-44 Speedway,” Armstrong said. “But when I was offered the opportunity to return to ‘America’s Place to Race’ by the new track owners, Stan and Conrad Clement, and I had the chance to live in my own home in Newton, Iowa, and sleep in my own bed, I couldn’t pass it up. It was still a very tough decision, as I love I-44 Speedway and Lebanon so much. I can’t thank the Willard family enough for giving me the opportunity to promote one of the finest weekly short tracks in North America for the past year, and also for allowing me to return ‘home’ to Iowa.”
According to Brennon Willard, Armstrong and Greven will conclude a management transition process on Friday, June 1, and the ‘Kickin’ Asphalt’ show on Saturday, June 2 will be Armstrong’s farewell to the fans and racers.
“Craig has done a great job with I-44 Speedway, and has set in motion some things that will help to grow both our car count and crowds in the future”, Willard noted. “Likewise, we have every confidence in the world that Kevin Greven is the right promoter for our track, and we know that he will continue to grow the programs and take us in a very positive direction. Kevin is a Missouri native, and he knows the sponsors, the racers and the area like the back of his hand. We’re really excited about the potential for significant growth going forward.”
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is located four miles east of the Lebanon city limit on Historic Route 66. Additional information about the track’s 2012 ‘Kickin’ Asphalt’ racing schedule and events may be found of the facility’s official website, www.i44speedway.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lebanon-I-44-Speedway, and on Twitter (@i44Speedway).