The operator of the Stockton 99 Speedway says a brazen theft of thousands of dollars of critical equipment isn’t going to interfere with its big July 3 racing schedule and fireworks show.
Tony Noceti told Stocktonia that new equipment will be arriving to replace the broadcasting sets, mixing boards and communications radios taken by thieves who broke into the speedway tower last week.
Noceti is offering a $10,000 “bounty” for information leading to an arrest in connection with the theft, which was discovered Friday. As of Monday morning, no solid leads had developed.
The next big event, the Ron Strmiska Firecracker 90, which includes racing followed by what Noceti says will be one of the biggest fireworks displays in the city, will go on as scheduled Thursday evening.
It has been a fairly good year for the speedway, Noceti said. Cooler weather in recent months have led to bigger crowds. But the theft is certainly a blow. In the 16 years his family has operated the track, Noceti said he’s never had this kind of major break-in.
The thieves not only kicked in the door to gain entry to the tower – “busted all to pieces” – but pried open the door to the concessions area, causing more damage.
“Other than this situation, we haven’t had much trouble,” Noceti said. Making matters worse, the lost items aren’t covered by his insurance policies.
In a posting on social media, the Noceti family addressed “the individuals responsible” for the theft, noting, “what you took wasn’t just material – it was a piece of our community.”
“What you took away was more than tools or property,” the post continued, citing scholarship donations as well as contributions to the local T-ball teams and women and children’s shelters. “You took away hope, support and opportunities from people who count on us,” the racetrack said.
The message also came with a vow to rebuild – “because that’s what communities do.”
Supporters have already reached out asking how they can help the racetrack, with many volunteering physical as well as monetary assistance.