Get Your Motor Running ... And See These Motors Running

For racing fans, few messages were as welcome as the one added to the  sign off Route 34 in Wall Township: “We will be racing in 2011.”

The 2010 season was pre-empted early due to financial difficulties.

In spite of previous issues, speedway operator Cliff Krause is , and all involved intend for the upcoming season to be the best yet. To expand the stadium’s viability, it's also instituted a “Cruise Night” for the final Friday of each month beginning in April, where attendees can take their vehicles around the track.

Wall Stadium was founded in 1950 and has been a summertime destination staple of the area ever since. It pulls in both the curiosity seekers and the race fans looking for automotive thrills and affordable ticket prices.

Public Relations Director and Announcer Jeff Gravatt has a special connection to Wall Stadium: “I’ve been involved with the stadium on and off for about 50 years. I grew up in Farmingdale, came here when I was probably seven or eight years old, and it’s been a part of me ever since. I’ve been [a primary part of the organization] since some time in the 1980’s.”

So 2011 is an opportunity to experience one of New Jersey’s longest-running attractions in a great outdoor arena, and gather memories of a unique experience. While it might have weathered some difficult times in recent years, the future looks bright for this venerable institution. That’s why we’ve chosen Wall Stadium Speedway for this installment of Day Tripper, a weekly look at destinations that are out of town, but in reach, and worth the trip.

DAY TRIPPER DIGEST

Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Why it’s Worth the Trip:  Wall Stadium is a one-of-a-kind racetrack experience in New Jersey, the last of its kind, and is certain to make a memory for a long time to come.

How to Get There from Here: Wall Stadium is accessible from Route 34, the Garden State Parkway and Interstate Highway 195. Detailed driving directions.

You’ll Probably Get Hungry:  The stadium features concessions offering hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels and ice cream. If you’re looking to stock up before the race, Wawa convenience store is located at the intersection of Routes 33 and 34.  For more of a sit-down restaurant setting, Runway 34 on adjacent Hurley Pond Road is good for a sit-down experience.  offers a great selection of authentic Italian.

While you’re in the Area:  Spend the day at Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk, home to attractions like  and . Aouth of the stadium on Route 35, check out  (as covered in a previous Day Tripper column) or look for a bargain at Collingwood Auction and Flea Market. You can also perfect your swing at Quail Ridge Golf World (on Route 35) while the kids try their hand at the miniature golf course.

Gravatt pointed to two reasons why Wall Stadium has garnered its loyal following.

“First, you have professional auto racing like you would see on television, but it’s virtually right in your backyard and it is affordable,” he said.

His second reason for the stadium’s attraction is the makeup of the drivers, a combination of hungry starters beginning their driving careers and local people who do it for the fun and the thrills.

“Here you’ll find everyday guys and gals who get to be a hero to a lot of people, and it’s a chance to see a neighbor race," he said. "These folks are from all walks of life—you have local business people, nurses, janitors, all sorts of backgrounds.”

Gravatt said that, for a few evenings out of the year, these people can move from their chosen fields and experience life as racecar drivers.

Gravatt tips the figurative hat to Jim Morton, who previously worked as the stadium’s operator and, during his tenure, had to contend not only with the natural misfortunes of weather and ordinary commerce, but the national financial meltdown that affected all businesses, not only the stadium.

"I give him nothing but credit for trying to keep it going," he said.

The difficulty resided with the bottom line of any venture: the capital required to make it happen. With Krause taking over in that capacity, Gravatt said there is just cause for optimism.

"[Krause] has the financial ability to weather the storms, and he’s assembled a great group of auto-racing pros to help do things right," he said.

Gravatt indicated there are many things on the stadium’s roster of upcoming events, but things are still being worked out with promoters. While the initial belief was that the 2011 season would be a bittersweet one, Gravatt instead feels more hopeful about Wall Stadium’s future than ever before.

“From what I see right now, we’re really on positive territory,” he said.