MEMBERSHIP LOGIN
JOIN PRI
New Operators At Heartland Park Topeka
Image
Heartland Park Topeka announced Wednesday that Scott Gardner has been named president and general manager of the facility.
Gardner will have a position on the board of directors and will take responsibility for all of the facility’s motorsport venues. His wife, Laura Gardner, will join the team as director of business operations.
The husband-and-wife team, who have managed motorsports venues for more than 20 years, will begin their positions in April.
Todd Stephens was named general manager of Heartland Park Topeka in early January, but HPT co-owner Chris Payne confirmed that Stephens is no longer with the track.
Payne—who purchased the facility in December along with Todd Crossley of Shelby, LLC—said Stephens is returning home to Oklahoma to help his family and family business.
“Co-owner Todd Crossley and I are excited to be teaming up with such experienced and qualified individuals as Scott and Laura,” Payne said in a news release. “We are confident turning over the control of Heartland Park and its multi-racing venues to the Gardners, allowing them to propel the facility to a much higher level of success.”
As a 30-year veteran of the racing profession, Scott Gardner most recently served as president of the International Hot Rod Association.
He began his racing career as vice president and marketing director of the United Drag Racers Association from 1986 to 1993.
In 1994, he became general manager of Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wis., a position he held for two years. Garner and his wife purchased Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, Illinois. He was manager of CDP until he became IHRA president in 2014.
Laura was operations manager at Cordova Dragway Park from 1995-2015. The Gardners sold the track in ’15.
“Being President of IHRA was a great opportunity to work with racers, track operators and sponsors that have led to many relationships that will last a lifetime,” Scott Gardner said. “Laura and I have received several management inquiries, but have been selective with our next step.
“The HPT ownership team’s commitment is extraordinary with an extensive background in the local business environment.”
The Gardners are prepared for the challenges ahead but are looking forward to a successful year for HPT.
“We are essentially starting from the ground floor with a facility that was closed much of 2015,” Scott Gardner said. “The potential is off the scale with multiple racing venues and other opportunities for a motorsports complex of this magnitude.”
Laura added: “Teamwork will be essential in creating an environment that thrives for our customer base, the racers, the fans and sponsors. It’s my goal to create a structure that is organized and efficient at HPT.
“As director of business operations, I will use my skills and experience in building a high-caliber team that is efficient and effective for HPT.”
Weekly race programs begin in April with the NHRA Kansas Nationals on May 20-22 and the Manufacturers Series on Oct. 21-23.
Gardner will have a position on the board of directors and will take responsibility for all of the facility’s motorsport venues. His wife, Laura Gardner, will join the team as director of business operations.
The husband-and-wife team, who have managed motorsports venues for more than 20 years, will begin their positions in April.
Todd Stephens was named general manager of Heartland Park Topeka in early January, but HPT co-owner Chris Payne confirmed that Stephens is no longer with the track.
Payne—who purchased the facility in December along with Todd Crossley of Shelby, LLC—said Stephens is returning home to Oklahoma to help his family and family business.
“Co-owner Todd Crossley and I are excited to be teaming up with such experienced and qualified individuals as Scott and Laura,” Payne said in a news release. “We are confident turning over the control of Heartland Park and its multi-racing venues to the Gardners, allowing them to propel the facility to a much higher level of success.”
As a 30-year veteran of the racing profession, Scott Gardner most recently served as president of the International Hot Rod Association.
He began his racing career as vice president and marketing director of the United Drag Racers Association from 1986 to 1993.
In 1994, he became general manager of Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wis., a position he held for two years. Garner and his wife purchased Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, Illinois. He was manager of CDP until he became IHRA president in 2014.
Laura was operations manager at Cordova Dragway Park from 1995-2015. The Gardners sold the track in ’15.
“Being President of IHRA was a great opportunity to work with racers, track operators and sponsors that have led to many relationships that will last a lifetime,” Scott Gardner said. “Laura and I have received several management inquiries, but have been selective with our next step.
“The HPT ownership team’s commitment is extraordinary with an extensive background in the local business environment.”
The Gardners are prepared for the challenges ahead but are looking forward to a successful year for HPT.
“We are essentially starting from the ground floor with a facility that was closed much of 2015,” Scott Gardner said. “The potential is off the scale with multiple racing venues and other opportunities for a motorsports complex of this magnitude.”
Laura added: “Teamwork will be essential in creating an environment that thrives for our customer base, the racers, the fans and sponsors. It’s my goal to create a structure that is organized and efficient at HPT.
“As director of business operations, I will use my skills and experience in building a high-caliber team that is efficient and effective for HPT.”
Weekly race programs begin in April with the NHRA Kansas Nationals on May 20-22 and the Manufacturers Series on Oct. 21-23.
