While we have been teased seemingly for the last two years that NASCAR could be heading back to the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, things have really stepped up over the last few weeks, which make it seem not only possible, but inevitable that NASCAR races on the 0.596-mile racetrack.
On Monday, Bristol Motor Speedway and their parent company Speedway Motorsports Inc. sent out a release stating that they are in talks with Metro Nashville to, “bring NASCAR televised racing to an improved, historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.” The release states that NASCAR could return to the speedway as early as 2022.
“Bristol Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports are thrilled to take this step forward with Mayor Cooper, the Fair Board, Metro Council and the neighborhood stakeholders,” said Marcus Smith, president and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports and Bristol Motor Speedway. “We can work together to transform Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway into an amazing multipurpose entertainment destination. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and go to work to fully restore the speedway, recruit national events and breathe new life into a venue that has a legendary status in auto racing history.”
If the agreement is successful, the speedway — the second oldest track in the country — will undergo preservation and upgrades, which would include safety measures to bring the track up to current NASCAR National Series standards.
According to the Monday release from BMS, management of the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway would potentially be overtaken by Bristol Motor Speedway. If this were to happen, the financial responsibility and burden of renovating the speedway as well as maintenance would move to Bristol Motor Speedway’s hands as well. The city of Nashville would still have access to additional revenue from the speedway through lease, rent and shared-event-venue agreements.
The Mayor of Nashville, John Cooper feels this is a crucial deal that will transform the speedway into a venture that will produce good for the entire city.
“The racetrack can stop being a financial drain on taxpayers. Instead, it can generate positive cash flow and help fund community improvements at the racetrack, at the Fairgrounds and at Fair Park. This historic site can be a great, long-term asset for the community and the city,” Said Cooper.
While it’s still not a done deal, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway could very well be coming to a NASCAR National Series schedule in the very near future.
