The 2010 season for the Nashville Speedway, located at the historic Tennessee State Fairgrounds, is ready to start its engines.
At the helm is Tony Formosa, Jr. who has assumed full control of the local facility for the upcoming season. The Formosa family goes back to the days prior to asphalt racing at the historic speed-plant with Tony Formosa, Sr. as a successful competitor at the Legion Bowl and Sulphur Dell Speedway.
Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville has long been a mainstay within the sporting structure of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Racing has been held on the grounds dating back to 1904. Stock car racing was conducted on a dirt track prior to 1958. William (Bill) Donoho, who served as assistant police chief in Nashville, was awarded a 30-year lease and in 1958 asphalt racing gained prominence as a major sport in the area.
The first event held in 1958 was won by Charlie Griffin of Chattanooga who drove a car owned by Hart Hastings of Shelbyville.
The excitement continued as fans and competitors headed to the track to see the new game in town. Bob Reuther won the first championship at the fairgrounds aided by crew chief, Preacher Hamilton and sponsor, country music legend, Marty Robbins.
NASCAR made its debut in 1958 to sanction racing at the fairgrounds.
The NASCAR Grand National division (now Sprint Cup) made its inaugural visit in the same year. NASCAR continued the tradition of this event until 1984 when Geoff Bodine won the last event beating out Franklin driver Darrell Waltrip for the win.
The championship names and greats would make a who's-who within any sport and the comment has been made by many long time greats that if you win at the Nashville Fairgrounds you can win anywhere.
Darrell Waltrip, three time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, cut this teeth at the fairgrounds winning two championships in the premier division.
Sterling Marlin who still competes at the fairgrounds is a two-time Daytona 500 winner.
Jeff Green called the fairgrounds home and won a championship in the NASCAR Busch Series.
Bobby Hamilton, Sr. took two championships at Nashville and successfully won races in all three major events of NASCAR. Hamilton was the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck national champion.
The names of yesteryear: Jimmy Griggs, Flookie Buford, Paul "Fat Boy" Ryman, George Bennett, Sonny Upchurch, Nicky Formosa, Zillon Felts have made many headline within the local newspapers over the years.
The current names of Mark Day, Andy Johnson, Terry Hayes, Daniel Bolden, Joseph Meyer III and Stacey Crain, gave the fans great racing action to stand and cheer.
The return of four time fairgrounds racing champion Joe Buford of Franklin will give all the drivers a benchmark to shoot for to win an event at the historic facility.
The quarter-mile track keeps the fans coming to the fairgrounds. The super stocks, dwarf, legends, super street and front runners are the future drivers of tomorrow.
The youngster's and young generation of drivers compete to break into the sport. Along the way you might see the older generation still giving it a whirl on the quarter mile.
The 2010 season starts off Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26. The Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals headline the Saturday show with a 75-lap event as the series competes for the first time in history at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Toss in the pro late model 125-lap event and a 75-lap SuperTruck event for a action packed Saturday night.
The Friday, June 25 showcases the quarter-mile event with 120 laps of action packed racing on the track within the track.
Fairgrounds Speedway is a multi-purpose facility with two tracks. The historic 5/8-mile facility and the ¼-mile which is equally exciting for great action and finishes.
The Fairgrounds has had many firsts locally within the sport structure of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
The first nationally televised event from Nashville was the 1970 Nashville 400 from the track via ABC Wide World of Sports. The fairgrounds has been a first for many for drivers to compete on the high banks for speed and building skills for success in the sport.
Tony Formosa, Jr. is dedicated to bring success and stability to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
It is his goal to make the speedway the showcase of racing. The 2010 season will feature four additional events after the season opening weekend of June 25 & 26. The July 17 event will feature the Ken-Ten racing series for 125 laps on the 5/8-mile oval with SuperTruck and Sportsman competing on the 5/8-mile oval. The open wheel, dwarf, legends, super street and front runners on the quarter mile.
The Aug. 14 show will highlight the Pro Late Model series on the high banks with the SuperTruck and Sportsman in action. The open wheel, dwarf, legends, super street and front runners on the quarter mile.
The Sept. 4 night of racing will once again host the Ken-Ten racing series and the SuperTruck and Sportsman division. The open wheel, dwarf, legends, super street and front runners on the quarter mile.
The All American 400 weekend will be held Oct. 1, 2 and 3 at the historic Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville.
Great racing action as the CRA series brings the stars and cars to compete in the prestigious All American 400 classic event. The SuperTruck division will compete in a 100-lap event and the Crate Late Model series for a 100-lap event. The CRA series caps off the weekend with an action packed event to complete the return of the All American 400 weekend.
If you have read this far, I would assume that you are a racecar fan and love the sport as much as we do. And, I think you would agree that your support is needed now more than ever.
Without you the magical roar of the engines and the vivid scent of oil & rubber will disappear from Nashville scene forever.
Thus far Tony Formosa Jr. has moved mountains to make this happen, but it will take you the racecar enthusiast, to cross the finish line. Failure is not an option nor is losing.
For information related to Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville visit
www.fairgroundsspeedwaynashville.com or call 615-730-1587.
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