Every year you hear the rumors and every year they’re proven to be untrue. However in 2018 the rumor that Motor Mile Speedway will not operate a weekly racing program has come true.
Track General Manager, Michelle Vaught confirmed today that Motor Mile Speedway will not offer a weekly racing program during the 2018 season.
“There will be no circle track racing program in 2018,” Vaught told race22.com. “We will be open for the special events such as the Monster Truck show and Demolition Derby but we won’t have a weekly racing program.”
Vaught says that the decision is based purely on economics.
“It’s completely a money thing. They’ve lost money here every year and everyone in racing knows what a struggle it is whether you own a team or operate a track or whatever, you know it’s a struggle to keep going.”
“He (Track Owner David Hagan) was tired of pouring money in it,” continued Vaught. “Late Model car counts, fan counts it was all a struggle. We’re done losing money and that’s the bottom line.”
Motor Mile Speedway will continue to operate for special events and the drag strip will also continue to run on Friday nights.
“The facility will be open, it’ll just look a lot different. Racing has been a staple here, this is a legacy track and it’s disappointing not to be able to continue racing but it’s a money thing.”
Asked if there was any chance of any racing during the 2018 season Vaught would not close the door on it completely.
“The door isn’t closed on anything at this point. As the General Manager I’m thinking of ways and thinking of things we can do. I think he (Hagan) would entertain anything at this point.”
Vaught said that at this point she’s talked to a few drivers who have heard the news and they’re all shocked that the track won’t open.
“The drivers and officials and everybody, they’re all shocked and disappointed as you’d expect,” explained Vaught. “But, they’re in this sport, they know what the reality is. They know me and my team have busted our butts to get cars and fans in here.”
“We tried everything we could to make it work. We had a killer 2017 season in my opinion but this isn’t about one year it’s about 15 years of losing money. At some point you have to stop.”
Vaught said she’s proud of what they were able to accomplish with the racing program and is grateful for everyone’s support.
“I can’t say it enough it’s just a money deal. We have tried everything to get the Late Model car counts where they need to be. We paid the highest purse in the country a few years ago and that didn’t really get us where we thought it would. We’ve done everything we can to make racing work here but it just hasn’t. I’m thankful for the support of everyone and I hope they understand it’s just a money deal.”
