LOVES PARK(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Rockford Speedway will be closing for good after this year’s big but final racing season.
The land around it, already developed into restaurants, retail, housing and even a hospital, Rockford Speedway General Manager David Deery told WBBM that it’s time to go. The speedway’s 50 acres have been sold to a developer.
“Basically, (the property) doesn’t work for a racetrack anymore,” Deery said.
It did however serve as the site of some amazing events over the past 76 years.
“Top series drivers, Dale Earnhardt was here and raced. Darrell Waltrip, Kyle Petty, the whole cast of those characters have come through,” Deery recalled.
He said that the Speedway was not only home to local racers and generations of families but to non-racing events such as concerts and circuses.
Deery’s parents bought the speedway in 1966, and, working his way up from selling hotdogs, he became choked up when sharing his favorite memory. He said simply seeing the crowd smile and cheer meant he and his staff did a good job.
Deery said they might as well have some fun during this final season.
“We will be racing every Saturday night, starting in April with the Big 8 Late Model Series. NASCAR Advance Auto Part Weekly Series will kick off the first Saturday in May,” Deery said.
Deery told WBBM that many fun events from the past will re-emerge for the farewell season. He revealed the Speedway’s world famous trailer racing in which they attach campers and RVs to the end of cars will take place.
“It’s essentially a rolling demolition derby. It looks like a tornado came through the place when we’re all done,” Deery said. “In September, it’s always a fun night. We’ll have monster trucks jet car, school bus racing, stunt men, fireworks.”
This will all lead up to the grand finale over two weekends in October.
For a list of the full 2023 schedule, visit the Rockford Speedway website.
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