Waltrip, Marlin Make Plea To Save Nashville Speedway

They have been trying to close our race track for some time now and it's supposed to end fall 2010 with no racing on the schedule. At least there is someone still trying to save it. I'm going to try to contact both of these gentleman and offer my help and suggestions as well. I think the historic society could get it registered as a land mark and save it from the city. You can read the story here and at the link provided and you can find other links and search for other stories on this subject at that link as well.

http://www.wsmv.com/sports/21772040/detail.html


Waltrip, Marlin Make Plea To Save Nashville Speedway
Board Ends Relationship With State Fair
Reported By Dennis Ferrier


NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The fair board on Tuesday officially pulled out of the state fair business, unanimously voting to not run the fair next summer.

Related: Watch This Story | RAW VIDEO: Waltrip Pleas For Speedway Preservation

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean recently announced he would allow the state fairgrounds to continue operating until December 2010, but without the state fair or a racetrack.

At the same meeting, NASCAR legends Sterling Marlin and Darrell Waltrip implored the board to do everything it can to save the racetrack.

"I have an incredible history with this facility. I started my career here in 1968. I've seen this place go through a lot of changes. One of the things I've learned in my years is that if you don't preserve the past, you don't have much of a future," said Waltrip. "There's no question about it. This could be the finest short-track racing facility in the country."

Waltrip encouraged the board to disregard the mayor’s wishes for redevelopment. Dean said he wants to sell the property for redevelopment.

"What? Condos you can't sell? Strip malls, you can't fill. This community should not allow our mayor to make an ultimatum to this board that he wants it shut down. That's wrong," said Waltrip.

But the board said it isn't bending to the mayor's will and is in total agreement with Dean.

"There's no real reason for us to 'defy' the administration because they agree with us in that we can't find a way to make this thing financially viable," said fair Board Chairman James Weaver.

The board left the option open for someone else to come in and produce the state fair next year. They also said they would entertain a shortened race season, but it would end abruptly on June 30.

It is still unclear if a state fair will be held in 2010 and, if so, at what location.

Previous Stories:

* November 26, 2009: Mayor: Fairgrounds Land Important For Economy
* November 18, 2009: Crafton Wants Brakes On Fairgrounds Closure
* November 17, 2009: Mayor Extends Fairgrounds Closing
* November 12, 2009: Christmas Village In Need Of New Location
* October 28, 2009: Fairgrounds Speedway Could Be Slowing To Halt