By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
After more than two months of silence, the Rolling Plains Motor Speedway at the Ellis County Fairgrounds is set to come to life again later this summer.
RPM Speedway opened the season with the annual Sunflower Showdown on March 27-28, but speedway promoter Chris Sutton was forced to cancel a large portion of the remaining schedule because of a lack of insurance.
Sutton, who was named RPM Speedway promoter ahead of the 2022 season, said there was an accident in the fall 2024 and an ensuing lawsuit filed against his promotions company, KLS Promotions.
As a result of the lawsuit and settlement, the insurance company elected not to renew his policy at the end of April, leaving him without coverage for the remainder of the racing season.
To ensure RPM Speedway is able to host three races in 2026, Sutton partnered with Barrett "BJ" Wagoner, the current promoter of WaKeeney Speedway, and his company, FIFTY1W Promotions. The partnership ensures insurance coverage for three races this season.
The Ellis County Commission approved an updated lease for RPM Speedway, including Wagoner, through the end of 2026.
Sutton told the commission Tuesday Wagoner has been helping at RPM Speedway and is more than qualified to serve as a co-promoter.
"He's got a lot of experience in the racing industry from the national level and traveling," Sutton said. "He also promoted Colby Speedway for seven years, and then he's been at WaKeeney. Once it shut down, he took it over. He's done a great job. He'd be an asset to the facility."
RPM Speedway will host the Wheat Shocker Nationals on July 11, a regular Saturday race on Aug. 21 and the 20th annual Fall Nationals from Oct. 1-3.
Wagoner said insurance companies are continuing to watch their losses more closely.
"It's not a local problem," Wagoner said. "Insurance companies in general are cutting their losses much more quickly than they used to."
Sutton said the situation is similar to a homeowner having a fire, with the insurance company paying a large claim and then either dropping the homeowner or raising rates.
"The facility is insurable, but the claim was tied to KLS Promotions, so that therefore made it hard for me personally to get insurance," Sutton said.
Sutton said the insurance company also dropped Sherman County Speedway after claims were filed following incidents at the track in Goodland.
According to Sutton, that insurance company has since exited the motorsports insurance business entirely.
Sherman County Speedway, now Goodland Raceway, was forced to cancel a portion of its 2026 schedule, but it is set to host its season opener June 27.
Sutton said he is unsure whether he will continue promoting the speedway beyond 2026.