Doe Run Raceway sold

The bullring dirt track is under new ownership; It will be run as a place for the working man to come race

Last year, Doe Run Raceway appeared on the real estate market. The 1/6-mile oval near Farmington, Missouri was listed for $239,900.

Tom and Nicole Harris have purchased the facility. With the help of their family and the racing community, they are working to get the track back in operation.

They are a local family in Farmington, Missouri. They operate Harris Wholesale, a local company selling new, scratch and dent items in bulk from major retailers.

The dirt track will be run as a family operation. However, they will be leaning on the local racing community to help out. Lots of work needs to be done as nature has spent long hours attempting to reclaim the facility in the previous four years.

“As everybody knows, it needs a lot of work. It sat four years, dormant. It’s grown a lot of weeds, a lot of pot holes. I know we’re a big racing community around here. So, I know we will get this going again,” Harris said.

The new promoter was asked to run the nearby St. Francois County Raceway.

“I kinda went away from it because I’d rather own my own track. Than, have to rent from somebody. I hope St. Francois does get up and running.”

Doe Run Raceway classes and info

The track will run on Friday nights.

Winged outlaws, B mods, Street stocks, Pro 4 / mini stock, 2 seater cruiser cars, Kids carts Lo 206 and 250 outlaws. Additionally, special races include Mod lites and Vintage cars.

“I don’t think the track’s big enough for A-Mods. Everybody knows it’s a small track. Maybe in the future, I’m not 100% sure.

On April 17th, the track is set to open with their first practice night. April 24th, the track has tentatively set their opening night.

“It’s something in my heart to have this track open. I’m hoping to make it a big success like we did our wholesale.”

It’s a family run operation. However, the promoter does not plan on letting his kids race at his new track.

“I will not let my kids run. Because everyone’s going to say we’re cheating. We will not run our cars at Doe Run. I hate to do that. But, the only car I will run is my vintage car. Because that is just a fun class.”

Doe Run Raceway - Missouri Dirt Track
Doe Run Raceway – Missouri Dirt Track

Changes to Doe Run Raceway

“I don’t want to be running the race track at midnight. Everybody frowns from that.”

“The track will be changing. You entered the track through the middle of the grandstands. We will be closing that off. Safety reasons. The last night out there before Bobby passed away, we had a vintage car hit the wall and he about killed himself when he hit the wall at the exit of the pits.”

“I’ll be closing that off and putting a concrete wall there. You will enter off turn four. And you will exit across the track and into turn two. That’s one big thing we have to get done soon.”

Doe Run Raceway will be for the working man

The costs of racing have continued to rise. All the while, track payouts remain about the same. Many tracks struggle to fill both the grandstands and the pit area.

The new promoters of Doe Run are working on that…

“I don’t like watching someone go out and spend 20-30,000 on a motor to run a B-Mod, A-Mod, Late Model or whatever. Someone that has a $5,000 motor, can’t compete with them.”

“I want to working man to be able to compete at this track. This is the reason we’re doing this. This year, everyone has their cars made and there’s nothing we can do about it. Next year, there will be rule changes to make it more competitive.”

“I want it to go back to the affordable way of racing. Back when I raced, you could get a car, put a 350 motor in it and still be able to race with the guy that had a 400 motor in it.”

“That’s the reason I bought this track and I want it to go back that way. Racing’s gotten out of hand.”

“If you ran an open motor, you’ll have weight. If you run a crate motor, you’ll get a bit of vantage on weight because of the horsepower difference.”

“We’ll be inspecting cars every night to make sure you’re following the rules.”

More

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Friendship Motor Speedway closed

Swainsboro Raceway closed

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Doe Run Raceway

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