In mid-August this year, North Wilkesboro Speedway announced its upgrade. Its revival plans had already been initiated in 2023, thanks to Dale Jr. and co.’s efforts, but the 0.625-mile short track entered the Cup Series as the All-Star Race venue. Next year, the track will finally get to host a points race for the first time since 1996. This news has had its ripple effects on other dormant tracks as well.

One of them is the 25-year-old track in Sparta, Kentucky Speedway, which last hosted a NASCAR race in July 2020 without fans, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Post that, since NASCAR left it, it just didn’t upset the fans, but many county officials and business owners were also disappointed for their economic losses. But now, with the tides changing, its elected officials are stepping up the development game to woo a possibly bright future for the racing track.

Small steps lead the way

Kentucky Speedway was a popular NASCAR destination in its heyday, bringing tens of thousands of fans to Gallatin County every race day. Since NASCAR left, with weeds growing across the track and trespassers capturing glimpses of the racing site, Governor Andy Beshear wanted to change things.

Gallatin County Sheriff Bud Webster also emphasized in the summer this year that the track had not been abandoned. And the first step involved building an airport.

On the other side of I-71 from Kentucky Speedway lies a relatively new state and federal investment. Gov. Beshear cut the ribbon for the airport’s concrete runway in 2023. Judge-Executive Ryan Morris said construction on the airport’s first hangar is expected to begin in November and be completed by the end of 2025.

In 2026, a new terminal may be on the way. It may open doors for new factories and businesses to enter the area. But that’s not it. He misses racing, and hopes that “they’ll start racing” in the speedway soon.

Morris reminisced about the NASCAR memories of Kentucky Speedway, a track where Kevin Harvick has won twice. “It’s unfortunate that we have that beautiful property, and there hasn’t been a race there in a few years. But we’re hopeful that they’ll start racing there. And, you know, it’s a large property. It’s got a lot of infrastructure in place. And if we’re not going to race there, then that property could benefit from the airport, in terms of industrial side of things.”

Communications VP, Scott Cooper, though not interacting with media, did release a statement that said, “Kentucky Speedway is a modern, multi-use facility which remains open to host music festivals, motorsports events, corporate entertainment and hospitality, driving schools, RV rallies and storage rentals.  While there is not a major motorsports event on the calendar for the immediate future, the facility and property is maintained and utilized for track rentals on an annual basis.”

Since the introduction of NASCAR’s Next-Gen car, intermediate ovals have grown popular. This has led to grassroots campaigns to bring back such tracks. According to Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith, “I think Kentucky has as much of a shot as North Wilkesboro.”

The latter track was entirely overgrown and disheveled. Smith and his team helped revitalize North Wilkesboro, something he said could happen with Kentucky or any former race track. “It’s happened. So it could happen to
Kentucky, it could happen anywhere.”

With changes afoot in Kentucky, combined with all these statements, it definitely hints that the track is indeed being taken care of and could see a hopeful racing future in the coming years. What is more, it would benefit the locals immensely.

A source of economic boost

Kentucky Speedway offered the people of Gallatin County many things. First was the thrill of watching stock cars speed past at 180 miles per hour. But it was also the promise of regular tourism, consistent racing, and jobs. The government-issued bonds allowed the track to avoid property taxes by making an annual payment of $400,000 to the county.

Kentucky Speedway brought thousands of dollars into the county during its two decades of operation. From the EMS staff and police force who would work extra shifts on race days at the speedway, to the local schools and nonprofit organizations who volunteered at the track to fundraise, Morris said, the track was synonymous with opportunity.

Morris said recently, “It was exciting times. Area businesses saw an influx of business and people just coming from the small convenience stores to the local restaurants, to local hotels, local campgrounds … the buzz was huge.” He continued, “If we’re utilizing the county’s borrowing power to invest in this property…I don’t want this property to be a tax break … anytime you issue those types of bonds, it’s for occupation, it’s for jobs, it’s for infrastructure, it’s to bring something else here.”

Evidently, Kentucky Speedway is doing its job of moving back to NASCAR, slowly. Now the ball’s in NASCAR’s court to include the track in its schedule in the near future.