NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Racing fans are mobilizing to save a piece of NASCAR history, Nashville Speedway USA. Racing legends Sterling Marlin, Darrell Waltrip, and others, are joining forces to save the famed short track, now being considered for demolition in 2011. The 0.596-mile track is 106 years old, and has hosted 42 Cup races from 1958 to 1984, dozens of Nationwide and Truck Series events, and held a NASCAR sanction for its weekly races through 2008.
The vote for demolition will require 3 separate vote of the Nashville Metro Council. The first vote is to be held December 21, 2010. A public hearing is tentatively set for January 10, 2011.
Sterling Marlin told NASCAR.com "I've got a mayor [Karl Dean], and he don't really care nothing about racing, never has." In a recent public hearing, racing supporters recalled then-mayoral candidate Dean pledging, “he was the candidate that would save the racetrack.” Dean narrowly won election in a razor-thin 5-way race for Mayor in 2007. Immediately after winning, the Boston-native initiated a study to begin redeveloping the track and the 117-acre Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
Recently, Mayor Karl Dean “reiterated that he sees no future for racing at the fairgrounds racetrack and expects the track to be demolished,” the Tennessean reported December 2, 2010. Marlin counters, “the Mayor's got it in his head that he wants to spend the taxpayers' money and just tear it down. It's turned into a political deal.”
Darrell Waltrip agrees the track should be preserved. “The race track is a part of Nashville and its culture. Careers have started there and it would be shameful not to allow it to continue. The current vision regarding this historic icon is just wrong. If the same amount of energy was put into making it the facility and draw it could be was equal to the amount given to its destruction, it would be an asset the Mayor could boast about all across the state and country,” said Waltrip.
Fortunately, the decision to demolish the racetrack is in the hands of the Metro Council. A bill has been submitted to demolish the racetrack and make way for a 40-acre park located in its place. The bill also ends the Tennessee State Fair and closes the Fairgrounds and Expo center. The bill will face 3 separate votes, as well as a public hearing as requested by the group, Save My Fairgrounds.
Waltrip, Marlin and others have hired the Calvert Street Group, a national land-use and political consulting firm with experience in dealing with Not-In-My-Back-Yard (NIMBY) issues. Darden Copeland of the Calvert Street Group stated, “Race tracks across the country are under attack. We need to draw a line in the sand and save the Nashville Speedway. We may not have a Cup series race next year, but this is a farm league where many in NASCAR got their start.” Copeland went on to say “not everyone can afford to attend a pro football game, or enjoys the ballet. Our Speedway still provides first class, affordable family-rooted entertainment for all walks of life.” Copeland helped form the group “Save My Fairgrounds”, and is getting supporters organized through petition gathering, social media, and grassroots lobbying.
Background
The Nashville Speedway is one of the oldest tracks in the US, dating back to 1904. Despite its age, drivers and fans from across the country still cite Nashville as one of the top short tracks in the US - a favorite among drivers. Marlin said “I think Nashville's the second-oldest race track in the United States. It's not a place you can easily replace. You talk to some of the drivers that's raced there, the older drivers, they love racing the short track. You don't tear nothing up. There's a lot of room to run side by side. It's laid out perfect."
A group dedicated to saving and renovating the Fairgrounds and Speedway has emerged. Save My Fairgrounds, LLC has formed with Fair and Expo interests, racing fans, and local citizens committed to saving the Speedway. They have collected nearly 45,000 signatures in support of the Fairgrounds and Speedway. They are collecting electronic petition signatures and accepting donations online at: www.savemyfairgrounds.com
