SpeedFest, a longtime annual event at Lanier National Speedway, has been moved nearly 200 miles south to a similar asphalt track in Crisp County.
The late switch in venue was announced Monday by race organizer, Championship Racing Association. Other than location, no further changes are planned, according to CRA; the original schedule and purse for drivers will remain the same.
No specific reason for the move has yet been given, but in a press released posted on the CRA website Monday, series director Glenn Luckett said: “The current promoter at Lanier had made it known that he was planning to get out of racing after SpeedFest, and we felt like he had an agenda different than ours for the event. There is a limit to what you can and/or should charge a racer for things, and you have to draw the line somewhere.”
On Tuesday, Luckett declined to comment further.
Donnie Clack, current owner of Lanier National Speedway, was not available by phone, but a press release on behalf of the track stated the change in venue resulted from a disagreement regarding reserved parking for competitors. According to the release, Lanier National Speedway was offering reserved parking in response to request from the competitors.
Clack's 3/8-mile asphalt track in South Hall has been struggling through financial difficulties in recent months. In May, Clack called a meeting of drivers and fans to lay out a plan for changes meant to salvage the facility’s future. They included reduced payouts when rain was in the forecast, and a new rain-or-shine race policy.
As late as July, Clack was hopeful that the 2012 season could still be held. Those plans were laid to rest in September, when it was announced that the track would end its weekly racing program after nearly 30 years.
“We’ve tried a lot of different things, but I’m tired of fighting the battle week in and week out and I don’t want to do it anymore,” Clack said at the time. “The economy is a big part of it, and we can’t keep up with what’s going on at other tracks.”
Lanier National Speedway opened in 1982 and for years was a hot ticket on Saturday nights. After being paved in 1987, it hosted NASCAR Nationwide Series races (then know as the Busch Grand National Series) from 1988-92.
Lately, crowds and interest have dwindled, putting the establishment in finanical peril. It is listed for sale on one real estate website for $2.25 million.
Clack has owned the track since 2002.
SpeedFest 2012 will now be held Jan. 28-29 at the Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele.
“We have numerous racers that are in full support of the move, securing what’s best for the racers, including NASCAR Cup Competitors Kyle Busch and David Ragan as well as Bill Elliott’s race team, who will all be at Marvin Ragan’s 3/8 mile track in Georgia,” Luckett said in Monday’s press release. “It may add a couple hours drive for some people, but we make decisions like this for the racers, our community and the long-term prosperity of our sport.”
Lanier National Speedway also announced Tuesday that the Ice Cold Shriners Bowl has been rescheduled for March 31 and that former track manager Stan Narrison will rent the facility to hold a Fourth of July celebration on June 30.
Times sports reporter Zac Taylor contributed to the report.