What’s next for the Fairgrounds Speedway?

The Fairgrounds Speedway is a Nashville institution. It’s held car races and horse races since 1904, and still had horse racing up until 1957 when they paved the track. It held NASCAR races up until 1984, when disputes between city government and track management put an end to it. But it has continued to be a local and regional spot for car racing.

In 2011, Nashville voters passed a referendum that obligated the city to maintain the track for racing. For years, Bristol Motor Speedway has been courting the city with a plan to renovate the track, in part to attract NASCAR and other big races back to Nashville. Mayor John Cooper is championing a proposal under consideration by the Fair Board Commission that would give Bristol the greenlight to update the Speedway.

However, residents who live near the Speedway are concerned about what kind of traffic, congestion and noise an improved track will bring to their neighborhood.

In this episode, we’ll hear from residents who are both for and against the proposal.

But first, it’s time for @ US! Host Khalil Ekulona and digital lead Anna Gallegos-Cannon respond to listener feedback and questions.

Guests:

• Norm Partin, racing fan and owner of Partin & Associates

• Terry Vo, former president of TAG, Chestnut Hill Neighborhood Association

• Jason Bergeron, former Fair Board commissioner and current Neighborhood Impact Advisory Committee member

• Jasper Hendricks, vice chair of the Fair Board Commission

Related reading: 

• WPLN: As rubber hits the road with Nashville speedway racetrack, opponents and supporters line up to voice their opinions

• WPLN: Who will be in charge of the lease and development of Nashville’s fairgrounds racetrack? Mayor and Bristol Motor Speedway release more details.

• WPLN: Nashville unveils proposal to bring NASCAR back to fairgrounds speedway

• The Tennessean: Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway renovation, NASCAR one step closer to reality