The famed short track has already been sold to HJS Development
After 75 years, Rockford Speedway is entering it’s final season. 50 events are on deck as a ‘Last Lap Season’, it’s 76th year of operation.
The track is located in Loves Park, Illinois. The 1/4-mile bullring oval has hosts Rockford Late Models, Roadrunners, Short Trackers, Figure 8, Sportsmen, Original Sixers, Bandits, Super Stox and Spectacular Drags.
The speedway first opened in 1948. In 1966, Hugh and Jody Deery took ownership of the facility. The 50-acre site has already been transferred to HJS Development for commercial construction.
Jody Deery resisted the developers for many years. However, following COVID shutdowns, the discussions with developers were opened.
Track owner Jody Deery passed away in June 2022 at age 97.
David Deery
David Deery is the general manager of the speedway.
“For years we have watched the surrounding area evolve into a vibrant retail corridor, this day has been coming and while it’s great for the city, it stings for the thousands of fans and racers who have made Rockford Speedway their ‘family’ for generations,” David Deery stated.
He added, “We know this will be the last year for our major events losing use of the property in front of the Speedway along Hwy 173 as that area will be developed first, with the track itself remaining until further land sales.”
Susan Deery
Susan Deery is the president of the speedway.
“This is a sad day for the racing community and our Speedway family. Generations of families have been involved – racing, watching, working – and to see it come to an end breaks my heart,” stated Susan Deery.
She added, “We are very proud of the contribution the Speedway has made to the racing industry, as the starting spot for so many in racing and business, and the impact this place has had on the greater state line community, but it doesn’t take away the sadness”
Steve Dickson
“This is going to hit people hard… kids talk about their grandparents who used to race here, or as a kid coming here and sitting in the old wooden bleachers, the place was always packed… there’s a lot of history here, this news will tug on a lot of hearts,” stated longtime fan, driver, employee, and track official Steve Dickson.
“There’s always been something going on, whether it was stock cars, monster trucks, bicycles, concerts, midways, rodeos, car shows. Anything you can imagine over the years went on here. It’s a nice facility. It’s been a great place to work, nice people, a great family to work for.”
“I really hate to see it happen. Times are changing and with what’s going on with the neighborhood, it might be the right decision to make. I can’t say anything other than I’ve enjoyed being here.”
Shorewood Development principal Ryan Fitzgerald
HJS Development is managed by Shorewood Development.
“The property is the last developable property for Loves Park on 173 and is in demand. Shorewood understands the Speedway has been a family entertainment tradition and realizes this will leave a void in the City of Loves Park and the racing world, however, the development opportunities along the 173 corridor are limited creating pressure on the Deery Family.”
Rockford Speedway
2023 Schedule
April 21
Practice
April 22
46th Spring Classic
April 29
Iron Man 250 (Enduro)
May 6
76th NASCAR Season Opener
Late Models, Sportsmen, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, Bandits
May 13
Late Models, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, Bandits, Sixers
May 20
Late Models, Sportsmen, RoadRunners, RR Figure 8, Super Stox, Super Cups
May 21
Drifting
May 27
Late Models, Sportsmen, Short Trackers, Bandits, Illini Midgets, Spectacular Drags
June 10
Trailer Race of Destruction
Late Models, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, High School Racing, Powder Puff, Hare & Hound Challenge
June 17
Late Models, Sportsmen, Bandits, Sixers, Illini Midgets, Super Cups
June 24
Late Models, Sportsmen, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, Bandits, Sixers, Kids Candy Scramble
July 1
Sprint Cars, Midnite Ride of Paul Revere, Sportsmen, Bandits, High School Racing, Powder Puff plus FIREWORKS
July 3
Late Model 76 Lap Feature, Short Trackers, Sixers, Flagpole Race, Spectator Drags plus FIREWORKS!
July 8
Amazing Flying School Bus! Sportsmen, RoadRunners, Bandits, High School Racing, Powder Puff & Spectacular Drags
July 15
Boat Race, Late Models, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, RR Figure 8, Sixers
July 19
Novelty Races, Bus Races, Spectacular Drag
July 22
Pool Jump plus Sportsmen, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, Bandits, High School Racing, Super Stox, Powder Puff
July 29
Late Models, Sportsmen, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, RR Figure 8, Super Stox, Super Cups
August 5
Figure 8 Trailer Race, Late Models, Sportsmen, Bandits, Sixers & Escape from I-90 Race
August 12
Late Models, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, Illini Midgets, High School Racing & Powder Puff
August 13
TBA
August 19
Sportsmen, Short Trackers, Bandits, Sixers, Spectacular Drags plus Upper Midwest Vintage
August 26
Late Models, Roadrunners, Super Stox, Super Cups plus RR Figure 8 Championship & High School Racing Championship
September 2
Late Models, Sportsmen, Short Trackers, Bandits, Sixers
September 9
Late Models, Sportsmen, Short Trackers, RoadRunners, Bandits plus Outhouse Race
September 16
Sixers, Super Stox,School Bus Figure 8, Monster Trucks, Jet Car Meltdown, Limo Stunt, Spectacular Drags, Wild Stunts
September 24
200 lap 6 Cyl Enduro & Demo Derby plus Kids Cow Pie Candy Scramble
September 29-October 1
National Short Track Championships
October 8
250 lap 4 Cyl Enduro & Smash O Lantern Demo Derby
October 13-15
BAHAMA Bracket Nationals
October 21
Last Lap Season Finale
October 28
Last Lap Season Finale Part 2
October 29
Last Lap Season Finale Part 3
The track will officially close on October 29, 2023. The banquet and convention facility will close on June 1, 2023.
