"Without getting into all of the whys and wherefores, pleaseknow that we, as a partnership group holding four equal 25% shares,did everything in our power these past six years to providetop-quality short-track racing and keep the doors open," saysTimothy Shinn, managing member of the group. The other partners areFred Archer, Joseph Sanzari and the Creamer family.

"We have made numerous attempts to create a scenario which wouldenable us to continue with the Speedway operation, all to noavail," Shinn says. "We did everything in our power to continue toheritage which was always associated with Wall Stadium. My partnersand I are left with no alternative than to close."

The partners cited declining attendance and revenues and ongoingoperating losses, but did not release figures. The group, all ofwhich have ties to auto racing beyond owning this facility,acquired the property from the founding Nicol family in early 2002for an undisclosed price. "We were wholly committed to itscontinuance as the top quality racing facility it had always been,"Shinn says.