THE INTERVIEW ISSUE
KICKING
THE DOORS OPEN
Keith Haney discusses Throwdown in T-Town’s success as
the first major event since the COVID-19 pandemic hit
By NATE VAN WAGNEN • Photographs by JAMES SISK
WHEN OSAGE Casino Tulsa
Raceway Park announced
it would not only host its
popular Throwdown in T-Town race, but
also allow spectators, it made national
news. Tulsa news reporters were
on hand as thousands of fans rolled
through the gates for the first major
spectator sporting event since the
COVID-19 pandemic forced the country
to effectively close up for two months.
Tulsa Raceway Park co-owners Keith Haney
and Todd Martin were two of the driving forces
behind the track reopening and holding what is
typically their largest spectator event of the season.
The two area businessmen worked together
with local government officials to make sure the
event could happen at all. Then, they worked
with the track team and local law enforcement
to make sure it happened in the most responsible
way possible.
The race was a double win for Haney, whose
Mid-West Pro Mod Series headlined the event. The
series became the first touring organization to start
racing again, a move that was met with support
and praise from new teams and fans.
“Not only for Tulsa, but for the Mid-West Pro
Mod Series as well, it was big,” Haney says. “To
have a race and be able to start a points series, that
was huge. For the marketing partners, those people
that stuck with the Mid-West Pro Mod Series and
Tulsa, you couldn’t believe how important it was,
for Osage Casino being our naming rights sponsor
of Tulsa, to Summit being the naming rights spon-
June 2020
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