Short Track Management Adds Digital Horsepower with Acquisition of Nitroquest Media Group

Winston-Salem, NC, December 18, 2014 (Newswire.com) - In an effort to bolster its digital services capabilities, Short Track Management, LLC (STM), has announced the acquisition of Nitroquest Media Group, a privately-held Internet communications company based in Lincoln, Neb.

“Digital media allows for real-time race fan engagement, which is a requirement of the digital age we are living in,” stated Short Track Management founder and CEO Bill Catania. “Nitroquest Media Group will be the nucleus of what will be our newest division—Short Track Media—which will deliver a series of digital promotional and operational solutions and services to the motorsports industry.”

"Digital media allows for real-time race fan engagement, which is a requirement of the digital age we are living in," stated Short Track Management founder and CEO Bill Catania. "Nitroquest Media Group will be the nucleus of what will be our newest division—Short Track Media—which will deliver a series of digital promotional and operational solutions and services to the motorsports industry."

Bill Catania, CEO, Short Track Management

Prior to the founding of Short Track Management, Catania developed a solution to facilitate the distribution and redemption of digital paperless coupons and promotions. In 2011, Catania sold his company, M-Dot, Inc., to Inmar, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Digital Solutions, growing his technology solution to over 17,000 retail locations nationally.

Nitroquest has developed a unique industry-leading digital content management platform that powers dozens of race team, race track and racing series web and mobile properties. The Nitroquest platform allows teams to integrate their social media components, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as e-commerce into their website with no programming or technical knowledge required.

This isn’t the first time that Catania and Nitroquest founders Jeff Nun and Jade Davidson have crossed paths in the racing industry. In 1997, Nun launched the website WhoWon.com which grew to become the go-to online destination for auto racing enthusiasts with nearly 1 million page views per day at its peak.

RaceFan, Inc., was founded by Catania in 2000 while still a student at Cornell University. He hired recent CIS graduate Jade Davidson, who earned the role of lead developer and eventually partnered with Nun in the development of Nitroquest several years later.

Complimenting their digital success, RaceFan also delivered “offline” sponsorship marketing promotions to over 600 short tracks across the United States for clients such as Valvoline, U.S. Army and many other companies focused on connecting with the more than 40 million fans that make up the base of grassroots motorsports.

RaceFan acquired WhoWon.com in a similar merger in 2002, and all three men share the history of growing up watching their fathers and family members circle their local dirt tracks.

Short Track Management was formed in April of 2014, and in less than one year the company has already had a significant impact on the landscape of motorsports in Western New York and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Under Catania’s leadership, STM renovated and operated the historic Stateline Speedway near Busti, N.Y., along the New York-Pennsylvania border. STM invested over $750,000 with renovations to the facility’s crumbling grandstands, grounds, track equipment and service buildings, as well as upgrading all of the property’s technical infrastructure, including the addition of site-wide Wi-Fi and an entirely new p.a. system.

When the track opened just a few short months later on July 5, one of the biggest crowds in the 58-year history of the 1/3-mile speedplant poured in through the gates to find new permanent grandstands, renovated concession stands with new menus, a new p.a. system for both the fans and the pit area, excavated and landscaped walkways, a renovated control tower, V.I.P. suites and more.

STM also promoted the legendary U.S. Open at the Lancaster (N.Y.) Speedway in October, and has a purchase agreement in place for Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., which will close on Dec. 31. Bobby Rohrer—the current owner and promoter of Stateline Speedway’s sister track—will remain the General Manager at Eriez Speedway under STM ownership.

Making full use of every benefit that the digital age offers, Short Track Management’s acquisition of Nitroquest Media Group not only brings with it a steady and loyal customer base, but also a vast array of custom technologies developed by the company over the last five years.

“This is a wonderful event for our current customers and clients,” said Nitroquest Media Group President Jeff Nun. “While our primary focus has always been to provide innovative and cost-effective tools for the motorsports industry, our passion has always been the people driving the grassroots heart of the sport. I am confident that Short Track Management will continue to build on what we have developed and give our customers an ever-improving suite of services to meet their needs in a changing world.”

More information and breaking announcements will be forthcoming as the 2015 racing season fast approaches.

ABOUT SHORT TRACK MANAGEMENT

Short Track Management, LLC, specializes in the acquisition and/or lease, improvement and operation of regional motorsports facilities and events across North America. STM is rewriting the business model for short track racing and motorsports promotions by leveraging mobile and real-time technology, along with innovative marketing techniques to provide for a more exciting and interactive experience for fans, competitors and business partners in racing.