Knoxville Announces Facility Expansion

The announcement today of the Knoxville Raceway expansion project is the tip of the iceberg of the facility improvements coming over the next few years. If you haven’t read the press release on the Knoxville Raceway website better read that now…. www.knoxvilleraceway.com

First of all, the Skate Pit will be replaced with a new building elsewhere on the grounds, or it could be part of the new building.  So don’t freak out Knoxville residents, it’s not going away.  The Skate Pit is a great place for families in the local area to enjoy, but this building was constructed in 1955 and it’s not exactly nice and pretty on the outside to welcome anyone walking into the “stadium” on race night, the fair, or any other event.  It’s an old building and a new skating rink facility will be a nice upgrade.  And a new entrance in general would be a nice upgrade.

The new building will be nice for additional and much needed office space.  The Knoxville Raceway staff is growing, and that little brick building is cramped.  There is also space for a retail gift shop type set up that could be open year-round, possibly a restaurant, and large corporate type suites.  When FVP is the title sponsor of the Nationals it would be nice to have a space where they could bring in 50-100 guests and partners and have a true hospitality area for them, rather squeezing 10-12 people in one suite as it is now.

This spring the sound system is getting a major upgrade, and some of the restrooms are being renovated as well.  There is also a plan in the works to tear down the old quonset hut building on the backstretch (behind the grandstands) and replace that with a new building to store the ambulances, safety vehicles, and track maintenance equipment.  There is a new paradigm in place to update, upgrade, modernize, and clean up the grounds. 

I proposed the idea that this new building could include an atrium or some kind of attraction like a walk of fame with the handprints/footprints of former Nationals winners (sprints and late models). I’m hoping that gains some traction.

This is a quite a big step for the Marion County Fair Board to invest back into itself.  No major facility upgrades have happened for 18 years since 1996 when the front stretch seating was expanded and suites were built.  In 2003 sections AA & BB in turn one were retrofitted to match the grandstands.  This is also a big step for the Fair Board to show some muscle in the state legislature and get some state funds similar to Iowa Speedway and other facilities. 

I’m extremely grateful that the Marion County Fair Board and GM Brian Stickel are working to make these improvements happen in the near future.  Reinvesting in the facility, and giving fans more reasons to come to Knoxville Raceway is always a smart idea when the funds are there to make it happen.  Dave Schrader might be known as the paymaster and for working the sign in and draw window on race nights, but his experience in the political arena has been instrumental in making all this happen.  The future of Knoxville Raceway is bright and I’m grateful to be able to be part of it!