Written by Dylan L Ellis, owner/founder - DRN
As we all know, Paducah International Raceway is reopening this season. The countdown to the opening night is on! This track has a humongous and very important history. The question is -- what is this track's history and how did it get to the point it's at today? Well, I’ll tell you!
History of PIR
Paducah International Raceway (PIR) for short, is a 3/8 mile, clay oval track located in Paducah, Kentucky. The classes that have raced there include UMP Super Late Models, CARS Crate Late Models, UMP Open Wheel Modified, UMP Pure Streets, Warrior, and Mini Sprints. PIR has also hosted Demolition Derby events in its time. The track was first opened in 1972 and was owned by numerous ownership groups till being bought by NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kenny Schrader along with promoter Bob Sargent in 2005. Earnhardt Jr. had never owned a track up to this point while Schrader and Sargent had owned tracks in both Illinois and Missouri. Legendary NASCAR driver Tony Stewart later joined the group in the latter part of 2006. Along with co-owning PIR, Stewart also owned Eldora Speedway in Ohio and was part owner of Macon Speedway in Illinois at the time. The track's signature race was the US World 50, commonly referred to as “The World's Richest 50-lap race.” The first running of the race occurred in 1978 featuring Super Late Models and drivers from the MARS racing series and UMP Racing Series. Other major races are the ATV Nationals and UMP Dirt Car Summer Nationals.
After several decades of racing; sadly, in 2016, the Mason family, who leased the track at the time, closed it and there was no racing in 2017. It closed in 2016 because between 2014 and 2016, the Mason family became the leaseholder on the track; as previously mentioned. The gates were open and the track was back up and running. However, when that lease expired the track was again set to shut down. The track was bought in 2018 and reopened, but quickly was closed in May of that year. The track offered truckload pricing of $20. Fans could fill the pickup full of friends and the group got in for just $20. In addition, the normal grandstand admission was only $5. This further led to a dispute between the owners and fans who wanted their money back for the seasoned tickets they had purchased; expecting a full racing season. According to WPSD Local 6, people had threatened to sue the owners of the track (at the time) for unfair business practices just to get their money back. Part-time owner Bob Sargent said, “I have not been served a lawsuit nor have I heard of one.” After all the owners and the potential or actual lawsuits, the track sat dormant for almost four years.
Reopening under new ownership
In 2021, the track went up for sale, and then later on in the same year, It was announced that PIR was purchased and under new ownership and was reopening in 2022. Adam and Brittany Elliot decided to take on the task of running this magnificent track and purchased the facility. Adam and Brittany are optimistic to make a go at running the track despite its recent history before it closed in 2018. The Elliots understand business and own Fiber Works Insulation & Repair which is a fiber optic telecommunications company. As far as racing, Adam himself, who runs a Super Late Model, will run a “handful of events” but will not race at PIR due to responsibilities there. His wife, Brittany, will handle the business side of PIR.
Reopening information
PIR opens for the first time in four seasons on May 20th, 2022 with Super Late Models, Open Wheeled Modifieds, and Quicksilver Street Stocks being the main classes that will be running; support classes will be 602 crates, Bombers, and 4-cylinders. PIR is very excited to get its first season underway!
DRN will be live at PIR on this night for the grand reopening of this legendary track with an amazing history and is looking forward to celebrating the reopening! We’ll see everyone there!
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