KINGSPORT SPEEDWAY - KINGSPORT TN
Soon after opening in 1965 Kingsport Speedway gained the nickname of "the Action Track". It was a 1/2 mile high banked dirt oval. The "official" name has changed over the years. It has been known as Kingsport International Speedway, Raceland Kingsport, Kingsport Motor Speedway, and Galaxy Kingsport speedway. Name changes usually meant a change in ownership. In 1963, construction company owner Ken Murray purchase a hillside and started to turn it into a race track. The facility, even from the beginning, was top notch. It was a high banked track, and it had lights for night racing, seating for 3,000 fan and plenty of parking. 1968 saw even more improvements as grandstand seating was increased and the track length was extended to 4/10 of a mile. In 1969 the facility saw the dirt paved over with a new asphalt surface, and NASCAR would come to the track to put on Cup races. That year the Cup stars would run 250 laps around the tight, fast track. Bobby Isaac led 187 of the first 209 laps. But a blown motor would take him out of the lead, and out of the race when he ended up in 22th place. From there, Richard Petty would assume the lead, and driving his Ford, go on to take the checkers. John Sears would finish second more
than a lap behind. The rest of the top five was David Pearson, Neil Castles and G.C. Spencer. When the Cup cars returned in 1970 the track had been shortened to a 3/8 mile track and race distance would be 297 laps (100 miles). At the end of the day; once again Richard Petty would be standing in victory lane as he outdistanced James Hylton by over two laps. Dave Marcis was third followed by Bobby Allison and Neil Castles. Petty led 263 laps that day, with Isaac leading the other 34, but finishing eighth. The final Cup race here at Kingsport was in 1971. This time they added three laps to the race distance and called it the Kingsport 300. Once again Isaac was strong, as he jumped from the pole into the lead and help it for the first 82 laps. Petty was once again in the hunt for the win, but
NDRA Late Model Series
he developed rear end issues which eventually sidelined him on lap 166. Isaac cruised to the win, leading 294 of the 300 laps, and beating Elmo Langley by over five laps. James Hylton was third. This would be the final stop here, because R.J. Reynolds had started sponsoring the Cup Series and didn't want to have any races less than 250 miles. A race schedule here for October was canceled. Despite losing the Cup races, Kingsport became a showcase for NASCAR's Late Model Sportsman series. It would later become the Busch series and is now the Xfinity Series. As this division grew more popular; once again Kingsport was left off the schedule. But big changes were coming once again. Jim J.D. Stacy became aligned with the track, and had plans to create a high-profile, high-paying dirt racing series. The asphalt was torn up and replaced with red clay as the new racing surface. Stacey's dreams soon died, but several other promotors picked up the pieces with varying success. About this time Murray had gotten tired of being in the racing business and sold the track to Joe Loven, owner of Loven Ready-Mix Concrete. After a couple unsuccessful
seasons on the dirt, Loven turned to his business for a solution. At that time (1996) Kingsport became one of the few concrete tracks in the country. It picked up the nickname of "the Concrete Jungle". And along with it, NASCAR racing returned with a sanction for it's weekly programs. But in 2002, Loven shut the track down to concentrate more on his other track; Volunteer Speedway. Kingsport sat silent for seven seasons, but in late 2009 the United Auto Racing Association (UARA) had a race rained out and needed a neutral site to host it's finale'. The race attracted a respectable number of fans and competitors, despite it's short notice. Former Cup driver Robert Pressley attended the event and decided he wanted to see Kingsport Speedway brough all the way back. He reopened the track in 2011, had the NASCAR sanction reinstated and ran a weekly show with a full complement of classes. After three years he stepped aside as promotor, and Ervin and Keith Stiltner were eager to continue on. They hired longtime race official, Karen Tunnell to manage Kingsport and also another track they promoted; Lonesome Pine Speedway in nearby Coeburn VA. As of 2022, the little track continues in operation; and Tunnell is still the general manager and promotor. Regular weekly shows are run about three weekends out of four; with special events held on the off weekends.
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