An ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, apparently stated “Change is the only constant”. Of course, not all change is good…
However, for short track racing in western Virginia, the changes seem to be stacking up and tilting forward. Two tracks that have had some spotted history have published plans for 2025.
Franklin County Speedway, after an account of pushing with tooth and nail for the past five or so years, announced a stepping away by the promoter Langley Austin. He had been the driving force keeping racing alive at the historic little track that has carried with it a colorful past that has, at times, pulled it back by its own weight.
Austin pushed FCS forward with fixes and upgrades all while managing, mostly, to keep the bailing wire and duct tape out of sight. He brought major touring series back into those hills with the SMART Modified, CARS Tour, Grand Nationals and more. He offered a place to race when “Motor Mile” shuttered for late models and other “garage” weekend series.
In other words, Langley Austin gave it more than he had and it took a toll as such that he stepped away. (Keep in touch with Langley on the “Pit Chatter Media” podcast or “Race22“.
For 2025, a new name has stepped up and announced more upgrades and racing to come for the season. The new moniker for the track is, as shown on Facebook, Franklin County Raceway – Virginia’s Asphalt Action Track. The new promoter is a local business owner and has been close to and involved with racing at the track. Timothy Meadows is taking the promotion forward. He and his wife had already made some early moves with the upgraded “Hexed Haunted Attraction Tower” on the front stretch last year. Meadows says positive support is there and is looking forward to the next phase at “FCR”.
A bit north to Natural Bridge Speedway and there are big announcements there. Amanda Bradley had taken the promotional reigns for 2024 following a valiant push by Tiffany Kidd to pull the track for two seasons. Kidd had rebuilt a good foundation of fan and racer support which Bradley was able to hook into and build upon. Now, with McCallister Precision Marketing, an ownership deal has been made with the previous owner, Joe Glassford. Plans and investments are on the boards with sponsorships and schedules also coming into play.
Bradley had already made a big mark on the footprint at Natural Bridge. An announcement platform with “Victory Lane”, infrastructure for lighting and a scoreboard were in place for 2024. News of guard rails improvements and other safety features were being discussed late last season and the ownership gives MPM a clear path for these further investments.
*It should be noted these investments shine over some disappointments. Pulaski County / Motor Mile is still in some sort of limbo for racing and on the other side of the State, Virginia Motor Speedway currently has no plans to run that track. A solid and historic asphalt facility and a long running dirt track are currently dark for 2025. It is not easy to keep tracks like this running so fan, racer and community support are vital to keep the laps and lights on.
The calendar has flipped. Daytona will be rumbling with IMSA and the ROLEX 24. NASCAR is taking big steps with the “new” setting for the “Cookout Clash” at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. The “clash” is practically just over the fence from this new Virginia racing activity in Franklin County and Natural Bridge. Martinsville Cup weekend is only a couple of months away. Richmond is on the horizon. Short track racers are in their garages turning the wrenches for green flags at tracks still on.
Racing is coming, Virginia. Support it or lose it.