The Enquirer is reporting that the Kentucky Speedway is losing its NASCAR Cup Series race in 2021.  Speculation is that the race weekend will be moved to Atlanta Motor Speedway.  No comment yet from Kentucky Speedway.  Speedway future now becomes unclear.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/motors/auto-racing/kentucky-speedway/2020/09/29/nascar-cup-series-schedule-kentucky-speedway-loses-quaker-state-400/3580235001/

Well, that stinks for local race fans.

It feels like the Speedways events and over all relevance has continued to decrease over the years.  It's a shame.

I feel like the Speedway has done its part in keeping up with improvements (such as the track surface).  Traffic flow to the complex is better.  I don't understand the point of other tracks having multiple weekends at the expense of tracks like the Kentucky Speedway losing their one weekend.  I know...it's all about the money.

I hate to hear that I think the drivers liked it said it was a challenge. Their race is being moved to Atlanta who owns the Kentucky Speedway.

They've known this was coming. The whole infield and garage area is pretty much nothing but Amazon trailers. 

On 9/29/2020 at 7:16 PM, nkypete said:

I feel like the Speedway has done its part in keeping up with improvements (such as the track surface).  Traffic flow to the complex is better.  I don't understand the point of other tracks having multiple weekends at the expense of tracks like the Kentucky Speedway losing their one weekend.  I know...it's all about the money.

There are other tracks losing races too.  My hometown, Dover, DE, has hosted two races for over 40 years, and is losing one of theirs to Nashville next year. Huge economic impact for that area.

Just now, rjs4470 said:

There are other tracks losing races too.  My hometown, Dover, DE, has hosted two races for over 40 years, and is losing one of theirs to Nashville next year. Huge economic impact for that area.

It's a shame.  Give each track one race per year unless there is some huge reason like bad facilities or declining attendance for NASCAR to leave.  Lots of greed at the top of NASCAR at the expense of the businesses and fans in the local area.

I've always enjoyed going to these races even before the "big" race came to Sparta. Seems dumb to me that multiple tracks have two races and you're taking a weekend away from places that only have one. 

4 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

I've always enjoyed going to these races even before the "big" race came to Sparta. Seems dumb to me that multiple tracks have two races and you're taking a weekend away from places that only have one. 

While I agree, it also seems dumb to me to build a $150 million facility just to basically use it for one weekend a year.

35 minutes ago, CincySportsFan said:

While I agree, it also seems dumb to me to build a $150 million facility just to basically use it for one weekend a year.

You certainly make a good point. That space has definitely been underutilized. I've always thought it should have been closer to Louisville or closer to Cincinnati. 

5 hours ago, nkypete said:

It's a shame.  Give each track one race per year unless there is some huge reason like bad facilities or declining attendance for NASCAR to leave.  Lots of greed at the top of NASCAR at the expense of the businesses and fans in the local area.

I don't know about the issues in Sparta, but at least in Dover's case, it was the owners of the track that caused the move. Dover Downs International, also owns the track in Nashville and petitioned to move Dover's other date to that Speedway. Dover was experiencing huge declines in attendance drawing 50-60k in recent years vs over 100k as recently as 10-15 years ago.

I had no idea Kentucky was going to lose its NASCAR Race but I am not surprised.  I am probably more into NASCAR than anything right now and as much as I like having a race in Kentucky it always strikes me as cookie cutter.  I definitely feel like Kentucky is one of the low points of the schedule each year.

I do see there are a lot of changes for next year including racing on dirt at Bristol and a race at the Circuit of the Americas which is a purpose built F1 track.  

Here are the standings for the 2020 Playoffs.  Kurt Busch got a little lucky last week and came up with a surprise win to advance to the next round and his little brother the defending champ Kyle Busch is currently below the cut line and hasn't won a race all year.  Harvick and Hamlin have been killing it this year and have to be favorites.

Anyone else been watching much?

The Speedway General Manager has stated that the complex will be turned into a "multi-use facility".  Fancy term.  Hope that doesn't mean junk yard or a used tire field.

On 10/1/2020 at 9:27 AM, TheDeuce said:

I've always enjoyed going to these races even before the "big" race came to Sparta. Seems dumb to me that multiple tracks have two races and you're taking a weekend away from places that only have one. 

Actually the guy who saved this track is now the guy who is shutting it down.  B. Smith owner of the track also owns Atlanta Speedway.  When he purchased Ky. Speedway, he pulled a race date from Atlanta and moved it to Ky., NASCAR would not award Ky. a race date.