Renovations May Steer NASCAR Back To Nashville

Could NASCAR return to Nashville’s historic Fairgrounds Speedway? It’s starting to seem that way, as explained by the Tennessean.

“Just 12 years ago, Ronnie Campbell went door-to-door trying to rally support for Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway,” per the report. “At that time, the city was discussing the possibility of shutting it down completely, with then-mayor Karl Dean wanting to close and redevelop the site. But Campbell and 10 others dedicated to the Fairgrounds organized a group of 3,000 petitioners, all wanting to save the track.”

A ballot was passed to preserve the track as a result, and on Friday, current Nashville mayor John Cooper struck a deal with Bristol to land NASCAR back on the track.

The proposal includes a 30,000-seat stadium with an expanded concourse. It includes premium seating and pedestrian tunnels. Meanwhile, the old grandstand would be torn down.

“The proposed deal would bring up to $50 million in funding for renovations, and Speedway Motorsports, which owns and operates Bristol and seven other venues nationwide, would have the discretion to bring a NASCAR Cup series race to the Fairgrounds,” the Tennessean reported.