GEORGE STARKS / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Racing at Pahrump Valley Speedway, shown here in a 2007 event, will resume July 18, under the direction of Chad Broadhead. Advertisement

Starting a new business is one thing in this volatile economic climate. The boss can only hope there is a need for his product and that customers will come through the doors in enough numbers to get the black ink flowing.

Reviving an old business, one that for more than 20 years had the hearts and minds of Pahrump Valley residents ... well, that's an idea that will grab plenty of attention ... but will it get customers into the seats?

That's the scene facing Chad Broadhead, as he works day and night preparing Pahrump Valley Speedway for its re-opening July 18. The motorsports complex on East Basin closed in winter 2007, with initial reports indicating there would no longer be competitive racing on the quarter-mile dirt oval and that the area would be used for non-racing businesses.

"The speedway's been around for more than 20 years ... it was a place families went to and that's what we can to have happen again," said Broadhead.

"We're going to bring back old-time racing and make it something the family can enjoy together."

"On a typical night, we will have five classes of race cars competing; we have eight all together, but we're going to rotate them so that we have five each night," said Broadhead. Going on the first night, starting at 7, will be modifieds, mini-stocks, pro stocks, street stocks and the bombers.

"As we go on, we will have special kinds of races ... enduros for motorcycles, figure-8s and maybe even some monster trucks," said Broadhead. "We'll bring them in and have them crush some cars."

Bob Hoffman, incidentally, is back as the track owner, said Broadhead. "He ran it (the one-half mile dirt track) for a long time. He knows what we need."

Making the track workable for the drivers is one thing. Having the place acceptable to the paying customer is another.

"That's the stuff I'm working on myself," said Broadhead, who has to make sure rest rooms are in operation, concession stands are safe and clean, and that everything else the men and women with the cash for tickets may need on a given race night is available.

"We'll be racing every two weeks year round; there might be some nights in January or February we might not be able to race," said Broadhead, who made it a point to announce that "we are not going to sanction the modifieds this year. From what I understand, the modifieds have been struggling this year. What we're going to do is put on the best show possible."

Which means a typical show will have qualifying heat races and features in each division. And they will be racing for points -- and cash -- in all divisions.

The cost will be $20 for a pit pass, with the entry fee for a car and driver $40. Admission charges will be $6 for kids, $8 for seniors and $10 for adults. "What we'll be trying to do is a family of six will get a pass for less than $30," said Broadhead.

A native of Utah who first competed in demolition derbies in the Salt Lake City area, Broadhead has hired some people to help him run the show.

Race car driver Ray Elam will be the track announcer. Bryan Wulfenstein will help do the track preparations. "He's a third-generation Wulfenstein in racing," said Broadhead of Bryan, son of Jim and grandson of Ray.

"The big thing is, we want to get this track going again," said Broadhead. "For more than 20 years, it's been an important part of our town. It's history ... we've had the Busch brothers (Kyle and Kurt) race here and a bunch of other good racing people.

"This," said Broadhead, "is what we want to give back to the people."