Brian Stickel

On the eve of the Knoxville Nationals, the approximately $7.4 million Knoxville Raceway expansion project has been put on hold by the Marion County Fair Board and General Manager Brian Stickel has resigned in protest.

The plan includes a four-story building on the southwest corner of the track, and would include 50 to 60 suites. The Iowa Legislature passed a bill during the 2014 session, that would provide for the rebate of state sales and use taxes of up to $2 million for the renovation.

Stickel tells KNIA/KRLS News he has worked hard to promote growth at the raceway for ten years and they were making progress, but he disagrees with the Board’s decision.

Fair Board President Dennis Haselhuhn says the Board voted to put the expansion on hold until the end of the fiscal year to see if the financials are in order such that they would allow for the expansion.

Stickel was named the North American 410 Sprint Car Poll’s Promoter of the Year in 2013 and 2014. His resignation will go into effect after Nationals.