Denny Hamlin, a NASCAR driver with local ties, has expressed interest in playing a part in the reopening of Southside Speedway. (Courtesy Denny Hamlin Fan Club)
Days after Chesterfield County issued an RFP for bids to reopen Southside Speedway, a big name in racing has gone public with his interest in bringing the shuttered racetrack back to life.
NASCAR driver and Manchester High graduate Denny Hamlin would like to see Southside Speedway revived and may be willing to help steer the effort under the right conditions.
Hamlin, who once raced at the now-shuttered track as a teenager, said on a Tuesday episode of his podcast that he would be open to running the track and has had discussions about that with county officials.
“I haven’t talked to the state or the county about this for quite a while. It’s been six months or so, at least,” Hamlin said.
But he said he would want Chesterfield or the state to provide financial support to revamp the track, which he feels would need $5 million to $10 million “to really make it top, top short track stuff.”
“I said I’ll run it, but I need x amount of dollars to enhance the place,” Hamlin said of his previous conversations with the county. “When I say enhance, we have to pretty much tear down everything and build new.”
Last year, a consultant’s report to the county estimated it would take $10 million to $15 million to renovate and reopen the track
Hamlin said that, in his estimation, it would be important to have varied offerings at the track, which operated for decades before it shuttered in 2020 and was known as the Toughest Short Track in the South.
“You got to build a multi-use facility that’s more than just a Friday night show. That’s what it used to be and it worked when it was in the ’80s and ’90s but it doesn’t work nowadays,” said Hamlin. “In my mind, you got to have concerts there, you need to have go-kart racing once a week. It’s got to be a multi-use facility to bring in revenue.”
One of Hamlin’s conditions, he said, is that he would want to own the property if he were to have a hand in running it. While he was open to more conversations about the track, he also felt it was unlikely that he would be a factor in whether it reopens.
“The chances of me being involved in it, I think, are low. Unless something has changed with their mindset, but we’ll see. Maybe we should have another call to circle back around,” he said.
The Southside Speedway track in Chesterfield operated for decades before it shuttered in 2020. (BizSense file)
Hamlin’s remarks on his podcast, which is called Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin, follow comments he made in recent days about his interest in Southside Speedway, which were previously reported by NBC and Short Track Scene.
Recent comments from Hamlin come after he indicated in August 2021 a desire to play a part in the track’s reopening, as racing news outlet Frontstretch reported at the time.
Chesterfield County last week issued a request for proposals aimed at finding operators that would bring auto racing back to the Southside Speedway. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 11.
The RFP is specifically for operation and renovation of the racetrack. Chesterfield carved out a 14.8-acre area that includes the track out of an overall 57-acre assemblage that was subject to an earlier request-for-qualifications solicitation.
That previous RFQ had sought developers that would be up to the task of a redevelopment of the overall assemblage with commercial development to support usage of the River City Sportsplex. County officials are still interested in seeing commercial development on the rest of the site.
Hamlin, 42, was born in Florida but grew up in Chesterfield and is a 1999 graduate of Manchester High.
Denny Hamlin, a NASCAR driver with local ties, has expressed interest in playing a part in the reopening of Southside Speedway. (Courtesy Denny Hamlin Fan Club)
Days after Chesterfield County issued an RFP for bids to reopen Southside Speedway, a big name in racing has gone public with his interest in bringing the shuttered racetrack back to life.
NASCAR driver and Manchester High graduate Denny Hamlin would like to see Southside Speedway revived and may be willing to help steer the effort under the right conditions.
Hamlin, who once raced at the now-shuttered track as a teenager, said on a Tuesday episode of his podcast that he would be open to running the track and has had discussions about that with county officials.
“I haven’t talked to the state or the county about this for quite a while. It’s been six months or so, at least,” Hamlin said.
But he said he would want Chesterfield or the state to provide financial support to revamp the track, which he feels would need $5 million to $10 million “to really make it top, top short track stuff.”
“I said I’ll run it, but I need x amount of dollars to enhance the place,” Hamlin said of his previous conversations with the county. “When I say enhance, we have to pretty much tear down everything and build new.”
Last year, a consultant’s report to the county estimated it would take $10 million to $15 million to renovate and reopen the track
Hamlin said that, in his estimation, it would be important to have varied offerings at the track, which operated for decades before it shuttered in 2020 and was known as the Toughest Short Track in the South.
“You got to build a multi-use facility that’s more than just a Friday night show. That’s what it used to be and it worked when it was in the ’80s and ’90s but it doesn’t work nowadays,” said Hamlin. “In my mind, you got to have concerts there, you need to have go-kart racing once a week. It’s got to be a multi-use facility to bring in revenue.”
One of Hamlin’s conditions, he said, is that he would want to own the property if he were to have a hand in running it. While he was open to more conversations about the track, he also felt it was unlikely that he would be a factor in whether it reopens.
“The chances of me being involved in it, I think, are low. Unless something has changed with their mindset, but we’ll see. Maybe we should have another call to circle back around,” he said.
The Southside Speedway track in Chesterfield operated for decades before it shuttered in 2020. (BizSense file)
Hamlin’s remarks on his podcast, which is called Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin, follow comments he made in recent days about his interest in Southside Speedway, which were previously reported by NBC and Short Track Scene.
Recent comments from Hamlin come after he indicated in August 2021 a desire to play a part in the track’s reopening, as racing news outlet Frontstretch reported at the time.
Chesterfield County last week issued a request for proposals aimed at finding operators that would bring auto racing back to the Southside Speedway. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 11.
The RFP is specifically for operation and renovation of the racetrack. Chesterfield carved out a 14.8-acre area that includes the track out of an overall 57-acre assemblage that was subject to an earlier request-for-qualifications solicitation.
That previous RFQ had sought developers that would be up to the task of a redevelopment of the overall assemblage with commercial development to support usage of the River City Sportsplex. County officials are still interested in seeing commercial development on the rest of the site.
Hamlin, 42, was born in Florida but grew up in Chesterfield and is a 1999 graduate of Manchester High.
What fun! A night at the track is fun (bring the kids). Looking forward to seeing this back again.
Seems to me like the county put out the RFP to mollify the vocal minority that wants to bring the track back, but doesn’t have a real intention to follow through. At the end of the day it’s all about the money. Hamlin says he wants to run it but only if the county gives him title to the property and $10-15M to develop it. I’m sure there’s plenty who would take that deal, but the county isn’t going to throw money at the project if the market isn’t there. The RFP process will show exactly how much value the… Read more »
denny hamlin has an estimated net worth of somewhere between $40million and $65 million. why would the county pitch in $10-$15m to enhance the property AND give him the title to the land just to run it? and by “run it” i’m pretty sure that just means he throws out some ideas, lends his image, and hands off the operations to someone actually qualified.
In memory of Sonny Hutchins! #1 at South Side Speedway.
Lived in the same neighborhood with Ray Hendrick.