A 122-year-old NASCAR fan favorite is facing an uncertain future. The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, once a regular stop on the circuit, is now at the center of a debate over its future. Recent polls suggest the checkered flag may have already fallen for the historic track.

A favourite hunting ground for King Richard Petty, who won 9 races there, including five on the trot between 1964 and 1967, Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway hasn’t seen a NASCAR race since 1984. Today, the track faces near-certain demolition as residents are swinging in favour of an alternate development plan.

Ever since the completion of  GEODIS Park, which is home to the Nashville SC, the Speedway has been under constant threat of an uncertain future. However, after recent surveys and polls, it appears that NASCAR will not be returning to the 0.596-mile short track.

The track has been in a state of political deadlock for nearly 15 years, despite ongoing discussions about renovations to the track. According to the Vanderbilt University Poll, 36 percent of residents are in favor of raising the track to the ground, while only 26 percent are in favor of NASCAR racing returning to the circuit.

In another poll by Power Poll, which surveys civic leaders and political influencers, the numbers are even grimmer. This poll shows 55 percent in favor of demolition, while 29 percent support the NASCAR plan.

What Is The NASCAR Plan For The Fairgrounds?

Speedway Motorsports, which owns multiple tracks across the United States, along with Nashville Super Speedway, had proposed a plan through which the company would lease and operate the Fairgrounds Speedway.

The plan included an estimated  $116 million that would be invested in the renovation of the Speedway to help bring NASCAR back.

The plan, which was proposed in 2021, was stalled due to multiple reasons. However, it would have made for a revival of racing in the region with a proposed 10-race calendar, with a hopeful lookout for a Cup race. Not just races, the renovation would see the 14,000 capacity track double to around 30,000.

On the other side are plans for urban redevelopment, including the Cumberland Yard, proposed by Fairgrounds Preservation Partners, which would see the oval replaced by 600 residential units along with a ‘Fast Track’ for electric racing. 

Another plan proposes using part of the oval for affordable housing and the rest for parking at the adjacent soccer stadium. Unfortunately for racing fans, the redevelopment plans appear more viable, dimming hopes for NASCAR's return.

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Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi