The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is in the spotlight for a different reason this time after a fire was reported at the track on Tuesday afternoon, June 2.

As per the Nashville Fire Department spokesperson, Kendra Taylor, the fire was first reported by locals. Taylor told the press that the first call came in at around 3:45 p.m. when locals reported a thick black smoke emerging from the track. 

According to the reports, the fire broke out in a storage unit under the stands. Officials later confirmed that the storage unit housed a souvenir shop operated by Roger Kidd.

A fan posted on their social media account about the same. The NASCAR memorabilia shop is called Music City Diecast, and it's reported that Kidd suffered a 90% loss. 

The flames were brought under control by the fire department by 5:00 pm. Since there was nobody at the track, there have been no injuries reported. As of now, the cause of the fire has not been disclosed as yet. 

Before being abandoned in 2001, the track hosted the Cup Race on a regular basis till 1984. The track was currently gearing up to host the Pro Late Model 100  on June 27th. Dale Earnhardt Jr was one of the many who advocated to keep the track. 

NASCAR veteran driver gets emotional after Nashville Fairgrounds revival

Dale Jr and the Fairgrounds Speedway go way back, with the veteran racing at the speedway back in the 90’s. He recently reunited with the track while testing for the CARS Tour, driving the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Late Model on April 11.

Though he finished 12th, the event was a massive success as it drew an electric crowd of over 10000 fans. It also marked Junior's return to the historic track after 26 years.

After the testing, the driver took to his social media to share his thoughts about the testing. “I had a lot of fun. I hadn’t run a lap there since the middle of 1999. I raced there a dozen times in the mid-1990s when it was a hotbed for Late Model Stocks. You’d have 30 cars for a weekly 100-lap feature. It was amazing. Somehow, the Late Model Stock footprint receded to western Tennessee over the years. 

He further wrote, “It was emotional to make those laps yesterday. Like visiting an old friend and realizing they are still the same person you always admired. Can’t wait to have our Pro and Late Model Stock cars there next month."

As of now, the June 27 event (Pro Late Model 100) at the track is not canceled despite the fire.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason