FAQ
Newport Speedway FAQ
Has the race track really been sold?
Yes! The sale of the property concluded on April 1st (not a joke), 2024. Chuck Ward has bought the property with the intent of renovating the property and turning it into a multi-entertainment venue and a Eastern Tennessee destination.
Are you going to make it a dirt track?
NO. Newport Speedway will remain a paved track and to our knowledge will be the only one operating between Nashville and the Tri-Cities. If you want to see dirt racing, there is 411 Speedway in Gatlinburg and Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap.
Are you hiring?
When it is time to begin looking for hired staff to help with racing operations, we will again put that information out on both the track website and social media.
Will the junk yard still be on the grounds?
Newport Raceway Auto Parts & Towing has ceased operations and the junk cars and equipment are in the process of being removed from the grounds to make way for renovations to the property.
What is your race day schedule?
Schedules, calendars, rules packages etc. will be announced at a later date. Right now the top priority is to get the facility back into operating condition after sitting dormant for six years. There is lots of work to be done to the property before those items are even thought about.
Who owns the track now?
Chuck Ward is a native of East Tennessee and a proprietor of several East Tennessee business ventures including Chuck Ward Real Estate Investments and the well-known Cotton Eyed Joe entertainment venue in Knoxville. Mr. Ward has also owned race teams which competed at both 411 Speedway and Newport Speedways as well as the Southern All Star Racing Series.
Will you allow third party vendors to sell during races?
Those decisions will be made once the infrastructure is taken care of and the focus turns to racing programming.
What are Newport Speedway's stats?
Newport Speedway is a 4/10 mile paved oval. It was originally a dirt track until it was paved in 1988. The banking in the turns is a whopping 26 degrees which has given the track the loving moniker of “Little Bristol” (Bristol’s banking is 24-28 degrees)
Did Newport Speedway host NASCAR races?
No, Newport, Tennessee has been the home to two Newport Speedways. The first one was a 1/2 mile dirt oval which was built at the Tennessee Carolina Fairgrounds. That track held two NASCAR races in 1956 and 1957 with Fireball Roberts winning both events. That track closed in 1967 after the track promoter and fair board members could not come to terms of use. The ruins of turns 1-2, and the grandstand are still visible at the now Cocke County Fairgrounds to this day.
Will you make the track a dirt track?
Again, no…we get asked that all the time so we felt we should answer it twice so everyone knows 😉