Speedway has new promoter
Benji Lyons introduced for role at Somerton oval, though no races scheduled yet
There is a sign of life at Cocopah Speedway.
No, there isn’t a race scheduled yet at the Somerton oval, but Thursday the Cocopah Indian Tribe introduced Casa Grande’s Benji Lyons as the facility’s new promoter.
Lyons has entered into a three-year lease agreement and will be responsible for all track operations, “from advertising to ticket sales,” said Jonathan Athens, director of communications for the tribe.
“Of course I’m going to put my flavor on things, but I think there is a great foundation to continue to build on,” said Lyons while talking about taking control of the facility that has been described as one of the top dirt tracks anywhere.
“This is definitely one of the top notch facilities in the country. It’s got its own uniqueness.”
Lyons brings 10 years of experience in raceway management and promotions, including serving as general manger at USA Raceway in Tucson, Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande and Hollywood Hills Speedway in Albuquerque.
Cocopah Speedway has been closed since its last Cocopah Speedway Championship Series event on May 12.
Gary Magrino, Cocopah Business Development Director, said a number of applications from prospective promoters were considered before the tribe settled on Lyons.
“We needed somebody, an insider who knew the business, to reduce the overhead and actually run a bootstrap operation, which we feel he’s the one,” said Magrino.
“We had a multiple number of people calling, but when we did a little background check, it was … zero zero. So we didn’t waste our time.
“But when we checked on Benjamin here and it was all credible and solid, we said this might be a horse we want to get on.”
Lyons said the process started with his contacting his childhood best friend, Yuma’s Josh Wood, a veteran dirt track racer, “and Josh called this guy, and this guy called this guy and before you know it I had this guy named Gary’s phone number in my phone. And I didn’t have anything to lose, so I called this guy named Gary and here we are.”
“We always wanted racing back,” continued Magrino. “The council wants it, the tribe wants it, and as they said many times, we just want to provide something to the community, good family entertainment. The council has also told us a hundred times we basically just can’t hemorrhage to do it.”
As for the first race at the track, Lyons said the schedule will be announced as soon as it is approved by IMCA, the sanctioning body.
He added that the track will still feature three IMCA racing divisions – Modified, Sport Modified and Hobby Stock.
As for getting a late start on the 2019 racing season, with other tracks in the Southwest already publishing schedules, Lyons said, “There is not doubt that we are going to have to get in to see where we fit in right where we need to be in the racing community. I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes. We want to get along with everybody.
“So we will skate around some dates this year and next year hopefully have some more say so about what we need.
“I still foresee a very successful racing schedule this year.”
Regarding track staffing, “My first priority is assembling a team that is built for success,” said Lyons.
He added that he is looking forward to meeting the Yuma racing community during a “meet and greet” event Tuesday at the Cocopah Wild River Family Entertainment Center, 15136 S. Ave. B. The event will start at 6 p.m.
“The first thing I want to do is reach out to the people who are willing to return and things of that nature,” said Lyons.