JACKSON, Minn. -- J.P. Karpowicz was introduced as the new promoter of the Jackson Speedway Thursday afternoon. The Jackson County Commissioners met in special session and approved entering into a contract with Karpowicz, who was on hand with his wife, Sabre, to promote the local half-mile track, pending completion of background checks and signature of the lease for the track.

The lease will be a three-year term with an option for a three-year renewal.

The Karpowiczes hail from central Kentucky and have been involved with racing for the last two decades. Karpowicz has raced modifieds for the last several years and previously raced a limited sprint car class.

He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky in accounting and has worked in accounting and as a controller for several years before starting his own firm, Hi Tech Lubricants, which he currently owns and operates.

Jackson County Commissioner, Loren Tusa, who served on the racing committee that worked to fill the position after the resignation of former promoter Jon McCorkell, said the committee interviewed several candidates before unanimously recommending Karpowicz to the county board.

Karpowicz outlined his background as well as his vision for the Jackson track to the commissioners, racing committee and a host of racing enthusiasts Thursday afternoon.

He said he has seen a lot of tracks go the route of what he calls "back gate" promoting, concentrating more on adding classes instead of working to making their tracks more fan- and racer-friendly.

"I think that limits profitability," he said of that approach. "I believe the way to make any track successful is to provide race fans or even just casual fans with a night of entertainment. You have to compete with movies, or a night out at dinner. Most fans aren't interested in the four- to six-hour race program. Our goal is to focus on a fast, efficient program and to build that front gate approach.

"If we put those things in place, I think we'll have happy fans and happy race teams."

Karpowicz said he envisions a three-hour or three and one-half hour race program with the facility providing exceptional concessions at an affordable price.

The couple said they have been looking for a track to promote for about 18 months and location was not a huge issue for them.

"The physical facilities here are impeccable," he said. "That was one of the biggest selling points for us. I heard about the opening and knew of the racing enthusiasm in Minnesota and Iowa and so I contacted Loren (Tusa).

"The more we found out, the more we liked."

"We have wanted to do this for years," added Sabre. "And we started to look at it more the last 18 months. We are both very flexible. It didn't matter where the track was as long as it was a good fit for us."

Karpowicz said he plans to continue to include and emphasize sprint cars at the Jackson track. "A lot of tracks in the area don't offer them and I think you would be foolish to get rid of one of your selling points."

Karpowicz also said the other classes will remain similar. He will work with racers to determine what sanctioning bodies to align with, particularly with the modified classes.

He envisions a minimum of 25 program nights but the schedule will probably include 30-31, weather permitting.

He hopes to build the track and offer a great show for drivers and fans. "We want to treat the drivers right through the purse and point funds. I want to work with businesses in the area to raise funds that we can distribute back to the race teams."

Karpowicz plans to continue to operate his business, which he runs out of his home via the Internet and he and his family will reside in Jackson at least six to eight months of the year, if not full-time. They have not yet reached that decision, he said.