RICHEY COUNTY — After lying dormant for more than 20 years, Pennsboro Speedway is coming back to life thanks to the efforts of preservationists and race promotion company XR Events.
“This isn't the glitz and glamor of going to a major league stadium.” Barry Brown, CEO of XR Events, said: “This is small town America. This is kind of the essence of West Virginia, and we don't want to do anything to change it, we just want to enhance it. That's why people come here. They want to come.”
This 400-meter dirt track first opened in the 1950s, but has not hosted races since 2000. The Ritchie County Fair Commission banded together to save the speedway from sale and have spent the past 20 years cleaning and restoring portions of the track. Weekends are a labor of love.
“They really got the job done.” Mr. Brown said. “We’re kind of the conduit to help them complete the project and help them put the rest of the project together so they can get in the race.”
Brown said his Minnesota-based business first learned about Pennsboro Speedway through the Dale Earnhardt Jr. episode. “Lost Speedways” About peacocks. He said XR Events is working toward a successful return to North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina and recently announced the return of the NASCAR All-Star Race in May. He said the North Wilkesboro job was supposed to take three years but was completed in three months. He said he contacted the Ritchie County Fair Commission and expressed interest in working with his company.
“So we started talking with them and officially signed the contract in January of this year.” Mr. Brown said. “We have entered into a long-term agreement with them to bring this truck back.”
Extensive work is currently underway to rebuild the railway bridge, including new bleachers, lighting, fencing and other infrastructure to modernize the facility while retaining its nostalgic charm, Brown said. He said additional improvements will be made.
“We want long-term sustainability. We want it to be a good product for the fans who buy tickets. If we can't do that, then what are we doing? Sho.” Mr. Brown said. He said the upcoming season will feature a variety of racing classes, including late models, sprint cars and stock cars. He said there were also long-term plans to develop the surrounding area into an integrated destination with camping to attract tourists and boost the local economy.
“That’s what we want to build, that community feel.” Mr. Brown said. “Because if people are going to come here to spend a week with us, spend a week here. And for this region to thrive, we need opportunities like that.”
The first race is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend and will be held under lights to provide ideal racing conditions. With community support and a passion for preserving its roots, Pennsboro Speedway looks poised for a successful return to the track.
“Once we get it up and running and things go well, that’s when we’ll get our momentum back.” Mr. Brown said. “We want to temper expectations and think about it in very basic ways, not wanting to suddenly hit a home run. We want to make this facility what it is now, over time. It’s going to be an adjustment process.”
Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com.