Why is NASCAR's Nashville Fairgrounds comeback in jeopardy? Coalition referendum threatens century-old track

The plans to bring top-level NASCAR racing back to the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway are again facing political and community pushback. A coalition of local groups has filed paperwork for a referendum that could remove auto racing from the Fairgrounds site after about 20 years of efforts to clear the race track. This also threatens efforts to renovate and save the old track.

The 0.596-mile Speedway at the Fairgrounds is the second-oldest continuously operating motor speedway in America. It hosted NASCAR Cup Series races from the 1950s through the 1980s, and the second-tier series (Xfinity) into the early 2000s. The city mayor and Speedway Motorsports are reportedly negotiating to revive that legacy with at least one big NASCAR event every two years.

The deal includes a $30 million bond, a grandstand holding up to 25,000 fans, updated parking, sound limit controls, and other improvements. It also calls for races to use mufflers and caps the number of racing weekends. Pro-racing backers have said that the plan would bring jobs, tourism revenue, and private investment without large tax subsidies.

However, the deal has faced serious resistance. A coalition calling itself 'Restore Our Fairgrounds' filed paperwork to begin a charter amendment petition. If that petition earns enough signatures, Nashville voters could decide whether auto racing should be removed entirely from the Fairgrounds.

"We've got 526 square miles to use for potential housing and only 100 acres of fairgrounds. It would almost be like suggesting that we tear down Wave Country and build affordable housing there," Mayor Freddie O'Connell said in response to the charter amendment push in mid-December last year (via Nashville Banner).

Last month, the chair of Nashville's Fair Board also received a warning from a city ethics group. The board found that Jasper Hendricks acted in a way that looked improper in connection with talks about the NASCAR deal.

What does the coalition want with NASCAR's Nashville Fairgrounds?

The coalition includes neighborhood associations, economic equity advocates, environmental groups, and local leaders. They have argued that racing harms taxpayers through noise, traffic, and long-term maintenance costs. They want to convert part of the Fairgrounds into green space, affordable housing, and improvements to Brown's Creek, a nearby polluted waterway.

In 2011, Nashville residents approved a charter amendment that protected the Fairgrounds and its existing uses, including racing, with a 72% majority. Now, the current coalition wants to overturn that amendment with a new ballot measure.

Public opinion in recent years also appears divided. A 2025 poll of 600 registered voters found that just over 20% backed extending major NASCAR events, while a large majority supported mixed-use alternatives like community spaces and environmental restoration.

Some critics also cited concerns about the racetrack's proximity to Nashville SC's soccer stadium, which seats about 30,000 and borders the Fairgrounds. The soccer club's owner has opposed the speedway expansion, citing noise issues during events.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam