Another racing season is fast approaching in Middle Tennessee. Sadly, we're going into the new season with one or two tracks not returning from 2009.
Things look bleak for Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, thanks to a mayor who is hell-bent on closing the facility despite no plans on what to do with the property.
Riverview Speedway in Carthage TN closed shortly before the end of last season, but has turned up on the 2010 schedule for the Ken Ten Late Model Series. We are hearing rumors that the track will reopen under different management, but so far have nothing to report. We'll keep you posted.
A formerly closed track returns to weekly action in 2010. The track in Hohenwald, now known as Tennessee National Raceway, will have weekly racing on Saturday nights. They ran several special events last year after changing hands.
Winchester Speedway in Winchester TN closed early in the 2009 season and was taken over by a bank. No word on any possible future for racing at Winchester.
We won't have as many new track owners/promoters in Middle Tennessee as we had last year. One change of note is at Highland Rim Speedway in Greenbriar TN, where Bobby Hamilton Jr. takes over the reins. Hamilton is a former driver at the track and indeed ran in several races late last season. He hopes to take advantage of the fairgrounds situation in Nashville as well as the national economy.
Bad economies have traditionally meant good times for weekly short tracks, as fans cut down on trips to expensive NASCAR races and stay close to home to get their racing fix at affordable local tracks. The theory goes that those empty seats you see at the big races on TV translates to occupied seats at local tracks.
Dirt racing continued to be the most popular form of racing in Middle Tennessee in 2009. Clarksville Speedway, Clayhill Motorsports in Atwood TN and Thunderhill Raceway in Summertown TN drew good car counts, with 100+ cars not unusual. Duck River Speedway in Wheel TN also drew well.
Camden Motor Speedway seemed to do well with their new management on Friday nights. Crossville Raceway switched from Fridays to Saturdays early in the 2009 season and will continue to run on Saturdays in 2010.
With all three paved tracks in Middle Tennessee running on Saturday nights, there simply wasn't enough cars to go around. Fairgrounds Speedway drew the biggest fields, with many weekends seeing 80+ cars in the pits. Highland Rim attracted new cars as the season wore on but had to add divisions to do so.
Riverview Speedway continued to suffer from low car counts, causing the facility to eventually close. Debate continues as to how much location of the track contributes to the low turnout. Many fans and drivers agree it is an excellent facility.
With the closing of Fairgrounds Speedway, Middle Tennessee fans will not have an opportunity to see the CRA close to home. The ASA Late Model Challenge Series will return to Nashville Superspeedway in 2010.
Speaking of the Superspeedway, they have added a NASCAR race for this year due to the demise of Memphis Motorsports Park. Nashville Superspeedway will host two Nationwide and two Camping World Truck races, including a Nationwide/Truck doubleheader weekend.
Baker Curb Racing has signed Greg Biffle to drive and Brad Parrott to be crew chief. This combination should make them a strong contender to visit Victory Lane this year. Baker Curb continues to seek sponsorship so they can run the complete Nationwide schedule.
Peterson Motorsports in Pulaski TN returns for another season of ARCA competition. Williamson County resident Dario Franchitti will be out to defend his IndyCar title. Bowling Green KY driver Dillon Oliver will try to build on his 2009 ASA victories at Iowa and Memphis, as well as his win in the Bobby Hamilton Memorial at Fairgrounds Speedway. Brentwood's Logan Ruffin will try his first complete season in the USAR Pro Cup Series.
Hope springs eternal on the dawn of a new season. We at Middle Tennessee Racing Scene will do our best to bring you all the action for a third straight year, and follow Middle Tennesseans wherever their racing pursuits take them.
Let's drop the green flag and get on with it! (1/23/2010)
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