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CUP: Racing History Takes A Beating In Nashville
Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville will shut it doors after this weekend...
Larry Woody  | http://www.RacinToday.com  |  Posted October 27, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Richard Petty gets ready to fire up his Plymouth for a race at Nashville's Fairgrounds Speedway in 1971. (Photo: Tammy Brewington)

She was once fast and frisky and known throughout the nation for her wild Saturday nights, but now she’s faded, forlorn and almost forgotten.

After this weekend all that’ll be left are the memories.

Historic Fairgrounds Speedway is closing its gates, ending a 51-year-run as one of the most fabled short tracks in the sport’s history.

“It’ll be a sad occasion,” said track president Danny Denson who is operating the Nashville Metro-owned facility this season. “I imagine we’ll see a tear or two.”

Added Denson: “This old track is racing’s Ryman,” referring to the legendary downtown Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry. “Nashville is losing its history.”

City officials have decided to “re-develop” the 114 acres that the track sits on, giving up not only auto racing but also the annual State Fair, Christmas Village and other long-time entertainments.

Officials claim the events are not profitable, although Denson and others dispute that contention.

“We don’t receive any tax dollars so we can’t lose any taxpayer money, which is more than most city-owned facilities can claim,” he said.

But officials’ minds are made up. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said the Fairgrounds will officially shut down June 30. Denson said there is no way he can operate for a half-season next year, which means Sunday’s All American 400 will the final race.

Included in the lineup are Ross Kenseth, 16-year-old son of NASCAR star Matt Kenseth, and Chase Elliott, 14-year-old son of popular Bill Elliott.

Denson noted that Nashville’s racing roots run deep.

“Nashville has a longer history in the sport than Indianapolis,” said. “But apparently history doesn’t count for anything any more.”

The first recorded race was run at the Fairgrounds in 1904 by the Nashville Automobile Club. Such notables as Barney Oldfield raced there, and in 1958 the paved five-eights-mile track was built.

Until 1984 the track hosted two annual Grand National (now Sprint Cup) races, and the giants of the sport trooped to Music City – Petty, Pearson, Baker, Allison, Wallace, Parsons, Yarborough, Elliott, Waltrip, Earnhardt …


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