Myrtle Beach Speedway: Track likely in final season

A buyer is in place for the historic short track; Racing won’t return if sold

Myrtle Beach Speedway is a 0.538-mile oval in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It hosted the NASCAR Cup Series from 1958 through 1965 with Dick Hutcherson winning the final Cup event.

Speedway Group Inc. purchased the track in 2012 for $2.5 million. Robert J. Lutz stated André Bauer, Governor of South Carolina arranged the deal. The governor wanted to use the track to help boost the local economy.

Lutz purchased the track with a group of partners. Soon after that, he bought out the partners, becoming the sole owner of the track and has operated it ever since.

Myrtle Beach Speedway: Pending sale

Fast forward to 2020, Myrtle Beach Speedway has struggled to turn a profit. In recent years, they haven’t.

Yet, the track sits on 45.5 acres of prime real estate with an estimated value of $2.17 million.

Track owners have now requested a zoning change for the race track property. The Horry County Council is expected to approve that in June.

There hasn’t been any push-back of the pending zone changes. It’s just a matter of waiting their turn in line to receive approval.

The pending zoning approval would initiate a sale of the property. When approved, the race track will sell. If the zoning is approved in June, the track would likely close for good by September.

So, who’s buying it? Why?

Bob Lutz has a deal on the table with a developer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The new plans for the property would include commercial and residential development and a removal of the race track.

“Once the season is over Myrtle Beach Speedway will be gone, but the date of that is dependent on the rezoning,” MBS General Manager Steve Zacharias told Myrtle Beach Online.

Zacharias added, “They’re in the process of the rezoning of the facility and once that is official at that time the final date will happen.”

The track already has commercial zoning rights. It’s the residential part of the new development that needs approval.

“I do think it’s a great use of the property and the residents will really like what is being done there,” track owner Robert Lutz said.

Final schedule

Six events are on the newly released schedule with an opener set for May. Additionally, the track is still hosting Richard Petty Driving Experience events.

The track has released a 2020 schedule with a limited number of events. The big November event that has paid $10,000 to the winner is excluded from the schedule.

Pending zoning approval, the track will be in new hands, well ahead of November.

Myrtle Beach Speedway isn’t expected to make it to November. However, the track does intend to have a big farewell event which will be promoted as such, pending zoning approval.

“When we know for sure we will definitely have a final race that will be promoted and be a big event,” Lutz said.


2020 Myrtle Beach Speedway schedule

May 23rd
Memorial Day Weekend Race
Celebrate the USA and wear Red, White & Blue!
-Twin Late Models, Chargers, Super Trucks and Vintage

June 27th
Hot Saturday Night Race
Support your favorite NASCAR driver!
-Late Models, Chargers, Super Trucks, Mini Stocks and Coastal Carolina Mini Cup Series

July 11th
We’re Jammin’ in July Race. Wear your 80’s rock gear!
-Twin Late Models, Chargers, Super Trucks, Mini Stocks and Vintage

July 18th
The Summer Sizzler Race- Wear your beach wear to the track!
-Late Models, Chargers, Super Trucks, Mini Stocks and Allison Legacy

August 1st
The Racing Brotherhood Race- Support the cause and Brotherhood!
-Twin Late Models, Chargers, Super Trucks, Mini Stocks and Vintage

August 15th
The Sun Fun 101
-Late Models, Chargers, Super Trucks, Mini Stocks, and Coastal Carolina Mini Cup Series

Links

Myrtle Beach Speedway

Categories

Tags