Economic situation cited for racetrack closure

By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com

The state of the economy, and financial matters were cited Thursday in the closure of the Crossville Raceway. In a statement released by track operator Al Varnadore, the situation looks grim for 2007, but has a chance for the return to racing in 2008.

I regret to announce that due to economic and financial conditions which are beyond our control, Crossville Raceway Incorporated is forced to cancel the remaining races scheduled for the 2007 season. We are working on putting on an appreciation awards dinner for the top 5 points drivers in each division and track staff. I personally wish to thank everyone that's attended any of our events over the last year. This year has been a very stressful and unusual year, with the weather affecting almost every event in one way or another. The economic conditions of racing has been tough on everyone, with gas prices forcing people not to travel as much as they normally would. We will contact all our employees and our top five points drivers with details about the awards dinner as soon as they are finalized. This event will more than likely take place in November. Hopefully by the time of the awards dinner we will have more insight to the plans for the 2008 racing season at Crossville Raceway. Once again thank you for your support, and I apologize to everyone for the inconvenience this may cause.
Thank You, Al Varnadore
Crossville Raceway Incorporated

Local racers will surely miss this track that has served the area for numerous years. The over the years the operation of the track has been spotty, with 2007 being the longest it has run in several years. The track is closing about 8 weeks before the scheduled end of the season, however 2007 was an aggressive schedule running much later than previous ones and far beyond many of the other area tracks. Local racers can only hope for a renewed start for 2008. The nearest tracks are Spring City which dopes not operate an organized racing schedule and Wartburg that will be ending it’s season in two weeks.
Crossville Raceway had an Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, $3,000 Super Late Model race scheduled for this Saturday. That race has been moved to Wartburg Speedway to run on Saturday Sept. 1. The $5000 race at Wartburg scheduled for Sept. 3 has been cancelled. In addition to the $3k SLM event Wartburg Speedway will also run a $2k Sportsman (Limited Late Model), as well as $500 to win features in the Pure Street, and Pure Mini class. A special $500 Front Wheel Drive race sponsored by On Pit Road Racing Photos will bring extra money to all the classes for the Labor Day weekend event.
Racing at Wartburg will begin Saturday Sept. 1 at 7:00 pm (EDT).