MOBERLY, Mo. -- The decision has been made by a consensus of the ownership of 24 Raceway, and based on current economic factors from the 2010 season, to not open the track for the 2011 racing season.

Economics played the biggest part in this tough decision, and this past season's lower participation and 16 rain-outs took a toll on us.

The fans that come on a consistent basis are a great group and are very much appreciated, but as any entertainment facility knows, there could always be more.

This racing business is all about disposable income being spent on a form of entertainment, and this helps to keep any race track as a profitable operation.

The current plan is to hold out for the upcoming season, see what the economy does in the long run and just take a breather for 2011 and seriously reconstruct a game plan, securing future sponsorships, special events, racing classes, payouts, admission pricing, class sanctioning, etc., for the future.

The hope here is that 2012 can be the turnaround season, economically speaking, and come around to a more favorable picture for this type of entertainment.

With that said, the race track is available for lease in 2011. It is a turn-key operation, complete with concessions and beer sales income, track membership fees, season passes, use of mowing, grading and watering equipment, scale house and more.

The staff and management of the 24 Raceway would like to thank all of the fans who came to watch, all of the race teams that came out to participate and especially to all of the sponsors throughout the 2010 season for their signage, sponsorship and door prize donations.

The fans, drivers and sponsors have all joined in helping to keep racing at Moberly the family-friendly sport that it is.

Here's hoping that "Dirt Track Racing at its Best" will return soon.

The USMTS Casey's General Stores National Tour has visited the 24 Raceway five times over the last three seasons. Jason Krohn captured the last checkered flag for the USMTS at the high-banked 3/8-mile dirt oval on Aug. 28, 2010, during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Championship.

Jason Hughes won here last April, while Michael Long and Jon Tesch each picked up wins during the 2009 racing season.

One of the most memorable finishes in USMTS history occurred at the 24 Raceway on Aug. 7, 2008, when a photo-finish between Tesch and Zack VanderBeek caused officials to determine the first and only tie for the win at the finish line.

Officials removed the limitations of human sight from deciding the outcome as AMB Timing & Scoring was implemented at the start of the 2009 season and in every USMTS event since.