The state stepped in to press a temporary pause on the new dirt track
On June 23, 2018, Thunder Mountain Speedway was set to host their first race. The brand new 1/3 mile oval rests on the top of a mountain in Corbin, KY. The track was constructed by a racing family. The owners are Dennis Barton and his wife Lori Crawford Barton.
The week of the opening show, officials were preparing to open the gates to the public after nearly a full two years of tractors and construction equipment rolled on the grounds. Final touches were being made to accommodate racers and fans alike.
Leading up the mountain to the track is an old dirt road. They brought in a final group of machines to have that area paved. That would allow large trailers to approach the mountain top track with ease. Final touches were all but complete.
A practice day was scheduled for today. Yesterday around noon, officials were informed by the state that they “didn’t have legal right for occupancy at this time.” That has forced the track to postpone for a later date.
The dirt track officials were under the impression that all the forms and paperwork had been completed. The local inspector also gave the track a temporary to operate until the state finished their own review for a permanent.
However, someone stepped in that’s above the local inspector. They shut down the opening weekend plans until more paperwork and inspections are complete.
The track issued a statement yesterday afternoon:
“URGENT NEWS PLEASE READ AND SHARE THIS EVERYWHERE THAT YOU CAN. ”
“I do not even know how to put this in words, so here it is… This weeks practice and race have been Canceled…,” track co-owner Lori Barton stated on the Thunder Mountain Speedway facebook page.
“We just received a call from the state informing us that we do not have legal right for occupancy at this time…We thought that we had everything completed but apparently there are some more I’s to dot or T’s to cross… I apologize from the bottom of my heart and please know that no one is more disappointed than I’m at this moment. God always has a plan and maybe that is what is going on here.”
“Please pass the word in anyway possible.”
The track will still open, it just will not be this weekend as originally planned. A makeup date for the grand opening at Thunder Mountain Speedway is still to be announced.
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