The end of the 2023 racing season in October means the end of a 65-year run for Bandimere Speedway in Jefferson County.
With development in the area growing, “our family is prepared to surrender the location we’ve called home for six decades,” John Bandimere, Jr., said. “The place has never been ours. It belongs to God.”
The Friday morning announcement confirmed rumors that have circulated recently.
For years, the family has searched for another possible location. “The days ahead are exciting – they’re stressful,” Bandimere said.
Fans can still attend drag races at Bandimere Speedway for a packed season. Events start Friday and run through Sunday, Oct. 22.
But fans expressed feelings of heartbreak and love on Facebook quickly after the announcement.
“Thank you for so many years of memories at one of my all time favorite race tracks in the world!” Kyle Loftis wrote. “We hope to see the new track underway with racing asap!”
The history of the quarter-mile drag strip dates back to 1958 when John Bandimere Sr., bought the land – “the fulfillment of a life-long dream of dad and mom’s,” the younger Bandimere said.
Over the decades, buildings were replaced, and the event schedule expanded. A $4 million improvement project took place in 1988, with capacity boosted to more than 23,500 seats.
But the location remained the same – until now.
The Bandimere family’s business approach was always “to hold it lightly, knowing that we would not have it forever.”
For all the latest Business News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
