Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway - August 21, 2010

There was a time when I virtually lived at the Fairgrounds Speedway on Saturdays.  Those days are past and I don't spend much time there any longer.  In fact today was the first time I've been there in probably 15 years or so.  The old place still looks pretty much the same as it did the last time I was there.  The track and pit area, the small concession stands at each end of the track, the huge white-painted tractor tires on the corners of the track, even the scars on the track walls are still there.

Walking back into that track really brought back memories.  The track claims to be the place where "Legends Are Born" and it does tend to live up that reputation.  Coo Coo Marlin, Sterling Marlin, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Hamilton, and others are all racers that got their start at this little 5/8 mile track.  The names that came back to me were not as well known but they were memorable to me all the same.  Nicky Formosa, Darrell Sage, Mike Alexander, Joe Buford, Chad Chaffin, Mike Reynolds, Andy Kirby, and so many others that I used to know or watch every Saturday night during the hot summer months and whose names I can no longer remember.  The guys that I hung out with each weekend; Keith and Tim, Charley and Rodger and Mike.  Good Times!


 

5/8 Mile Track - Turn 1
Hoosier Tire Banner
The Tire Barn

Former "Mini Modified" Pit Area
The Tunnel Entrance
Many A Burger From Here

Front Straight Looking Toward Turn 4
Front Straight Grandstand
1/4 Mile Track - Turn 1

Pit Road
Main Scoreboard
Even The Flags Look Tired and Worn


The fairgrounds are set to close in December and at this time the fate of the site is not known.  Odds are it will go the way of so many short tracks across the country, and quietly fade away into history.

It amazes me that we close a fairgrounds that thousands enjoy throughout the year because it doesn't make any money, but at the same time the governor of this state can build an underground bunker at the governor's mansion for "Entertainment Purposes" that has absolutely zero chance of ever bringing in a penny of revenue.

I don't know whether I'll get to see this old track again.  The All American 400 is still scheduled for October 1-3 and I'm hoping to be there.  It will most likely be the last All American 400 held, and also most likely the last race at this track, and I want to be there to see it go out in style.