CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville Speedway plans to resume action this weekend with the opening of the drag strip on Friday, stock car racing on Saturday and drifting on Sunday.
According to Clarksville Speedway owner William Scogin, there are a few precautions that the staff is taking to ensure the safety of the drivers and fans in attendance.
“I have signs up asking everyone to wear masks, practice social distancing and the whole nine yards,” Scogin said. “Just the recommended stuff that we have to do, we’re going to do.”
In his 20 years of involvement with the Clarksville Speedway, Scogin has never experienced a more significant impact on his business from a financial standpoint than from the shutdown caused by COVID-19.
“I’ve lost about $200,000,” Scogin disclosed. “I raced the weekend after the tornado in 2019 and I haven’t raced in nine weeks now. We appreciate all of the help our local government is giving us, but when your federal and state government tells you that you can’t do business, it’s kind of disheartening. Right now, we’re really just trying to focus on the positive and not dwell so much on the negative.”
With many people simply wanting to get out and experience a live event, Scogin is optimistic that the excitement level surrounding the reopening of the race track is at an all-time high.
“Well absolutely,” Scogin answered. “We certainly expect to see normal deals as far as our crowds are concerned.”
There are a few guidelines and procedures that those who want to come out this weekend to Clarksville Speedway should be mindful of.
“Practice social distancing and make sure you wear your mask or helmet,” Scogin said. “Follow all of the CDC’s rules. We’ll make sure that we have plenty of hand sanitizer and make sure everything is good and clean.”
Scogin wanted to share a message to the public and also give an update on the postponement of the county fair.
“We don’t need any drag racing on the streets, we need them all to come here and drag race,” Scogin said. “I’d like to really commend the city and the county who I’ve been in constant contact with…We just rescheduled the fair which will now be Aug. 7-15. It was originally supposed to be in June, but we moved it to help out the timeline.”