“There are 5 perfectly operating F1 and NASCAR tracks that are available 20-30 minutes outside Nashville.”
Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville was constructed in 1904. The half-mile high banked oval has escaped the bulldozers and it’s entering what could be a complete revitalization of the complex.
NASCAR is working on a return to Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville. The latest Fair Board of Commissioners meeting took place with voices from the public. The meeting was held on Tuesday at the Karl Dean Ballroom in Downtown, Nashville.
Years ago, the entire community voted 3:1 to preserve the speedway. That 2011 referendum has prevented the race track and the state fair from being removed.
They previously attempted to bulldoze the property to build a parking lot for the soccer stadium. However, they failed to get enough votes to approve the change and override the 2011 referendum.
Now, Speedway Motorsports Inc. is attempting to lease the facility and bring NASCAR back to the city. Beyond NASCAR, they would also operate the track for other local and regional events.
In March, Nashville Mayor John Cooper signed a letter of intent to strike an agreement with SMI. That includes providing $50 million in financing for the facility.
The deal would still require approval from the fair board and Metro Nashville Council. A final draft is expected to be produced in a June 8 meeting. Cooper’s LOI expected the deal to be complete by July 31, 2021.
Speedway Motorsports Inc details plans for Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville
In Tuesday’s meeting, Bristol Motor Speedway’s Jerry Caldwell detailed the new plans for the speedway. The proposed lease management agreement is listed at 10 years. That includes four 5 year extensions.
“We believe and hope this would be a 30-year agreement,” Jerry Caldwell said. “We would put a 10-year agreement on the front end. Our belief is that it gives us a long-term agreement for us to work, but after 10 years, ask if it makes sense for everyone. For both sides.”
SMI has proposed sending a $1 million per year rent payment to Metro for the facility. Renovations are estimated around $60 million.
The speedway grandstands are expected to be expanded, holding 30,000 people, an upgrade from the current 15,000. SMI plans to pay for speedway renovations using the rent payment, state sales tax, seat fees and event sponsorship.
10 race weekends and up to 20 mid-week test days have been proposed. 10pm curfews are included, with the NASCAR race weekend curfews being extended to 11pm. Only one of those dates would be used for NASCAR.
Sound barrier walls are a part of the new plan for the reconstruction of the speedway.
Many showed up to Tuesday’s meeting in favor of the proposal. Those included NASCAR Hall fo Famer Darrell Waltrip and the 2019 Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway champion Jackson Boone.
As for those against the development, some were highly entertaining while others presented logical concerns. Most of those against the deal live in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, directly behind the speedway itself.
“We leave the neighborhood on most race weeks because it’s too loud to do anything,” Tanya Deane said. “A NASCAR race would be louder than anything currently being held.”
Related: Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jimmie Johnson will exit NASCAR retirement to race Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville
Jason Bergeron
Fair Commissioner Jason Bergeron has been interesting to say the least. For context, this is the same Bergeron that lobbied in favor of the soccer stadium.
He says it’s unacceptable for the track to have 10 days of racing. He’s in favor of more concerts for the facility.
Bristol Motor Speedway’s Jerry Caldwell was at the hearing as well. Bergeron pushed on Caldwell to denounce Tennessee’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
Jerry responded by saying he doesn’t comment on social issues. He noted that he wanted the speedway to be inclusive for all. However, Bergeron continued to press, wanting him to denounce the bills.
A change.org petition has been created. the petition has collected 1,000 digital signatures.
Related: Nashville Fair Board claims breech of contract with Formosa family
For your entertainment: The uninformed idiot of the day
Katie Barnes moved in three blocks from a race track. Now, she’s upset that it’s there.
“I’m already expirencing the nightmare that is about to unfold as a result of the noise that the race track produces,” she says.
“I have tried turning my TV up to volume 10 and my sound system at the same time. When NASCAR runs, my windows vibrate. It scares my dog and I simply cannot have an evening to myself in my apartment.”
NASCAR has not been to Nashville yet.
“There are 5 perfectly operating F1 and NASCAR tracks that are available 20-30 minutes outside Nashville.”
There is one active F1 track in the United States. It’s located in Austin, Texas.
“There is no other city in the United States that has a NASCAR or F1 track in a residential neighborhood.”
Unfortunately, that somehow picked up applause from the crowd of misinformed Karens in the building.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Kansas Speedway and countless others are embedded in and support the communities that surround them. Indycar has planned a street race for Downtown Nashville.
She concluded, “This is offensive. This is a neighborhood that we were able to buy into, quite easily, that is now raising in prices. We are enjoying the property gains. Which we do not want to lose. This is a terrible decision.”
Katie said she lived in an apartment. So, your guess is as good as mine as to why she’s concerned about property value.
Fairgrounds Speedway Meeting
May 11, 2021
Related: Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville strikes deal with SMI to help bring NASCAR back
Links
Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville | Speedway Motorsports Inc | Bristol Motor Speedway | NASCAR
