MADISON, Ind. (April 2004) – Kentucky Speedway founder Jerry L. Carroll will be the kickoff speaker for the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce's fourth annual Regional Business Expo, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the Madison Consolidated High School.

Jerry Carroll

The expo is a family-oriented event to help introduce residents to products and services of area businesses. There will be food vendors and children's activities, plus an opportunity to meet two ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers, Darrell Basham of Scottsburg and Jeff Caudell of Austin. Both are scheduled to bring their race cars for display, along with the Kentucky Speedway show car and mascot, "Horsepower."
Carroll will speak at the kickoff buffet dinner Friday, April 16, at the Montpelier Inn in downtown Madison. Carroll and other special guests from the world of motorsports are scheduled to greet guests starting at 6 p.m. The buffet will open at 7 p.m. The Carroll DeCamp Trio will provide musical entertainment before dinner and after Carroll's talk.
"Pursue the Dream" is the theme for the evening as Carroll describes the vision he had for a world-class race track in Gallatin County, Ky. Opened in 2000, Kentucky Speedway is a $155-million, 1.5-mile superspeedway that play hosts to such events as the Busch Series' "Meijer 300;" a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race; the Indy Racing Series' "Belterra Casino Indy 300;" and the ARCA RE/MAX "Channel 5-205." More than a million fans have attended races there in the track's first four seasons.
Carroll is chairman and co-owner of Kentucky Speedway, LLC, and Carroll Properties, Inc. He was instrumental in forming a five-member investor group that constructed and currently owns Kentucky Speedway. The facility has contributed to the growth of NASCAR, Indy Racing League (IRL) and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) events and made a significant economic impact in Gallatin County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky by spurring employment opportunities, new and improved infrastructure and tourism.

ARCA driver Darrell Basham

Carroll also has exercised his business skills in the thoroughbred racing industry. During a 10-year period, his foresight and business acumen transformed an ailing thoroughbred racing facility, Latonia Racetrack in Florence, Ky., into the nationally acclaimed Turfway Park. In 1999, he sold the facility to a partnership composed of the Keeneland Association, Harrah’s Entertainment and G-Tech.
In 1996, Carroll received the prestigious Keene Daingerfield Award for his contributions to the national thoroughbred industry. That same year, he also was named the Kentucky Horsemen “Man of the Year” for his contributions to the sport and Commonwealth.
Carroll began his real estate career in 1970 and, by the mid-1980s, became the largest office building developer in Tennessee, primarily focusing on the Nashville market. Throughout his career, he has successfully developed numerous urban and suburban office, retail and industrial, as well as single and multi-family residential.
Kentucky Speedway is the primary sponsor of Regional Business Expo 2004. Kentucky Speedway has been instrumental in providing the special events that will make this fourth annual Business Expo a memorable one, according to Expo Chairman Geoff Walburn.

ARCA driver Jeff Caudell

“Our Expo has always been based on pursuing your business dreams. The recent popularity of racing in general is a prime example of this. We feel that Mr. Carroll’s story, given his local background, and the manner in which he has made his own dream into a huge success, complements our theme,” Geoff said.
The public is welcome at Expo '04, which will showcase more than 50 businesses whose products and services are available in the Madison area. The event is being held in the school's gym and parking lot to allow plenty of space for exhibitors and race vehicles. There will be plenty of family activities to enjoy. Admission is free.

• The kickoff dinner on Friday evening is for sponsors, exhibitors and others who purchase advance tickets. Seating is limited. Tickets are available at $25 from the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, 975 Industrial Dr., Madison. For information, contact Laura Hodges at (812) 265-3135, Ext. 254, or email: lhodges@madisonchamber.org.