Arena Racing: New Race Director

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2009

Arena Racing Grand Rapids announces New Race Director, Jack Gritter for 2009-2010 season

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Arena Racing Grand Rapids is pleased to announce that Jack Gritter has been appointed as the new Race Director for Arena Racing Grand Rapids 2009-2010 season. General Manager Peter Jackson made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. "Jack is very well known in the racing community and we are confident he will make an excellent Race Director for Arena Racing Grand Rapids." said Jackson. Jack Gritter is a Michigan racing veteran whose career in late models saw him race in four different decades. The Zeeland, Michigan resident retired from racing at the end of the 2002 season and left a mark on the racing community that was so strong, that Berlin Raceway honored him with a retirement celebration complete with a rocking chair that featured a 5-point safety harness. The respect for Gritter went even further, as the Grand Rapid Press named their annual award for special achievement in racing, "The Jack Gritter Award."
Gritter joined the national ARCA circuit as a technical inspector in 2006 and was offered the pace car driver position this season. "I’m really looking forward to working with Arena Racing," commented Gritter. "I’ve enjoyed racing for a long time and the people involved in it, so I know this will be a great group to be a part of.
Gritter will replace Robert "Grizz" Finlayson, Jr. as race director. "Grizz did a great job as race director as well as helping us develop the officiating system in our inaugural season" Jackson said, "we are glad that Grizz will continue to work with us in future seasons on the officiating crew"
The change in race directors is being done as part of Arena Racing’s annual review of policies, procedures and practices together with AR’s goal for constant improvement for drivers and fans. "It’s not that we did not like the job that Grizz did, it’s that Gritter brings a boatload of experience that will help us grow and improve"
Each season features 15 racing events, with up to nine races per event, and a season ending point’s championship worth more than $35,000 to the series' top drivers. For more information on Arena Racing, visit http://www.arenaracinggr.com/

Contact: Peter Jackson
Phone: 616-559-7911
Email: peter@arenaracinggr.com
Fax: 616-559-8001
2500 Turner Avenue, N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49544