The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway has been one of the most iconic tracks, having hosted legendary drivers like Dale Earnhardt Sr. However, in the past few years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding its future. The revival of the track remains uncertain due to the local opposition. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has come out and expressed his support for the track and shown support to the owner, who has a 30-year plan.

The last NASCAR race that took place on the track was in the 1980s. Since then, the track has been a host to the local racing series alongside late model racing tours and ARCA Menards series races. Recently, the track hosted the ZMAX CARS tour for the first time in a long time. It was Dale Jr., who decided to bring the tour to Nashville and even participated in the event. 

“Most of us don’t live in Nashville. Most of us get our information about the Speedway on social media. And when we’re not in Nashville, not standing on that property," said Earnhardt Jr. on his podcast. "It can feel at times that there’s a bunch of opposition against the racetrack. This place isn’t gonna get wiped off the map just like that. It’s got some legs.”

The Speedway is owned by Marcus Smith, and Earnhardt Jr. has revealed his plans for the track.

"If Marcus comes in and gets in control of the track, he wants a 30-year runway. He wants to guarantee that he’s gonna get this place… so that as the investments are made into the track, he knows that the track’s not gonna get yanked out from under him," said Earnhardt Jr. "They have a plan, and it’s ready, and that absolutely could happen. And that’s still in motion… It’s not dead.”

These comments from Dale Jr. certainly give fans around the NASCAR community a sense of security about the iconic track.

Speedway Motorsports makes a bid for the Nashville Fairground Speedway.

The revival of the track currently depends on two issues: the funds needed to revive the track and the noise created by the cars. 

The residential buildings are housed quite close to the track, raising concern among the locals about the loud noises.

In the episode, Dale Jr. spoke about Marcus Smith's plans to curb the noise. He said, “As soon as Marcus gets the race track, he's already got commitments to the local community and local government to do the sound barrier and all other types of upgrades to the race track.”

Despite all of these assurances, there are a lot of things that will go to save the track, which, despite all the controversy, will always be remembered fondly in NASCAR history.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Godwin Issac Mathew