A new plan called ‘Cumberland Yard’ is looking to replace the famed oval track with a dragstrip specifically for electric cars
Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is a 0.596-mile track located in the heart of Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The facility first opened in 1904.
The track hosted NASCAR Cup Series races from 1958-1984. It also hosted NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series events as recently as 2000.
In 2001, NASCAR moved their National events to the newly constructed Nashville Superspeedway, 30 miles away from the Fairgrounds. After the 2011 season, NASCAR stopped attending the new Superspeedway.
However, in 2021, NASCAR returned to Nashville Superspeedway. A portion of ticket revenue is planned to go toward the redevelopment of Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville.
The Fairgrounds location has been in and out of city council meetings, for years. A redevelopment of the property is being proposed.
Back in 2018, Speedway Motorsports entered an agreement to maintain, manage and promote events at the track. In 2021, Bristol Motor Speedway reached an agreement with Mayor John Cooper to redevelop the track and bring the NASCAR Cup Series back to Nashville.
Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway: Agreement reached with Mayor, Bristol
The new Mayor, Freddie O’Connell is now in charge of finishing approval of the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway project.
O’Connell stated in October, “I would say I came into this moment expecting that there would be a long-term future of a speedway in some form. I think that’s still my expectation based on where conversations with the team and Bristol are, but I would not say we’re in an active state of negotiation.”
Image of the proposed NASCAR renovation
New Anti-NASCAR Group proposes a new plan for the site
Fairgrounds Preservation Partners, a new group has pitched a new anti-NASCAR plan for the redevelopment which includes demolition of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
View the image of the new plan below.
The proposed project is titled ‘Cumberland Yard’. The basis of the project will return the land into a city park. Affordable housing is also on the drawing board.
The project removes the current half-mile track track. However, a 2011 vote brought a referendum that required the property to remain a racetrack.
In order to step the referendum, Cumberland Yard has ‘The FastTrack’ as part of the development plans. It’s being marketed as a dragstrip from Electric vehicles that goes right through the center of the park.
The development consists of three parts. The Paddock, The Grandstands and The FastTrack.
The Paddock: The general area will be converted to a park setting. Turns 1-2 of the current speedway would be repurposed as seating, creating an amphitheater type area.
The Grandstands: The site of the current grandstands would be converted to an affordable live/work creative area. 600 residential units and 75,000 square feet of commercial space are drawn for the area.
The Fastrack: Auto racing is required at the Fairgrounds due to a 2011 provision in the Metro Charter. The dragstrip would be offered to Tennessee carmakers for marketing and consumer awareness on electric vehicles.
According to Fairgrounds Preservation Partners, the new plan is favored by Nashville voters 3-1. They also note that 24% strongly-oppose a NASCAR return while 17% strongly-approve.
Overall, the data notes that 67% approve the idea to create a park, add affordable housing and build a track for electric vehicle racing. 21% preferred the plan to renovate the existing track and bring NASCAR back to Nashville.
Hear from the group below:
Mike Kopp
“The Nashville Fairgrounds belongs to all Nashvillians,” said Mike Kopp, FPP chair.
“The future of this public property should be determined by the local community in partnership with the Fair Board and surrounding neighborhoods — and in a way that acknowledges the Fairgrounds’ complete history while addressing the city’s current needs.”
Ruby Amanfu
“Cumberland Yard is a common-sense concept that will help deal with a crisis that’s hurting Nashvillians, including musicians and artists,” said Ruby Amanfu, FPP board member.
“Bringing music and the arts, and those who make it, back to the Fairgrounds acknowledges our city’s art-filled history while purposefully imagining a more vivid future for the entire community.”
Carrie Tillis
“Embracing the Fairgrounds’ real history means restoring the site to its original park-like setting,” said Carrie Tillis, FPP board member.
“Authentic preservation means removing asphalt and giving open space back to the community.”
Josh Collum
“Nashville is facing an unprecedented affordability crisis that hurts the people who helped make Music City great,” said Josh Collum, FPP board member.
“An affordable live/work campus at the Fairgrounds can demonstrate how a world-class city can support musicians and others who keep the local economy moving.”
Shay Sapp
“Electric-vehicle racing would significantly reduce the negative impacts that racing has on the neighborhood — noise, pollution, et cetera,” said Shay Sapp, president of South Nashville Action Partners (SNAP),.
“Rethinking racing at the Fairgrounds with an EV focus is a logical way for the property to peacefully co-exist with the surrounding neighborhoods while also respecting its history.”
Cumberland Yard: Site Plan
Bristol Motor Speedway comments on the new proposed plan
“Bristol Motor Speedway’s plan to preserve the historic Fairgrounds Speedway protects important elements of Nashville’s history, surrounding neighborhood and will generate billions of dollars of revenue for local businesses and Nashville,” Jerry Caldwell, president of Bristol Motor Speedway issued in a statement.
“The new counter proposal calls for tearing down the speedway and destroying an iconic venue, which is in direct conflict with its intended public uses and a Metro Charter Amendment which passed by 71 percent in a countywide referendum.”
Links
Cumberland Yard | Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway | Speedway Motorsports Inc | Bristol Motor Speedway | NASCAR
