Fairgrounds group petitions against NASCAR-type racing

A Nashville group is calling for a referendum to prohibit auto racing from the Nashville Fairgrounds. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

A coalition dubbed Restore Our Fairgrounds is calling for a voter referendum to block NASCAR-style racing in favor of affordable housing and green space at the Fairgrounds in South Nashville, the latest measure in a two-decade effort to strip auto racing from the property.

The group said it filed paperwork Monday with the Metro Clerk to start a charter amendment ending auto racing at the Metro Nashville Fairgrounds amid rumors about Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Speedway Motorsports negotiating a deal for NASCAR-type expansion. The group says resumption of car races would hurt local taxpayers and cause more traffic and noise. 

If successful, the amendment would undo a 2011 referendum that amended the charter to protect existing uses of the Fairgrounds, including auto racing. The measure passed with 72% of voters approving it. 

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Metro Nashville voters would have to vote in favor of a referendum to end racing at the Fairgrounds, which was home to different types of racing for more than 100 years.

The group supports the preservation of green space, development of affordable housing and improvements to nearby Brown’s Creek, a tributary to Cumberland River on the federal EPA list of polluted waterways.

Multiple Nashville groups, such as Belmont Hillsboro Neighbors, NOAH Economic Equity, Jobs & Transportation Task Force and South Nashville Action People (SNAP) are part of the coalition.

Mike Kopp, co-founder of Fairgrounds Preservation Partners, is among those signing the petition, along with Metro Council member Terry Vo, Heidi Basgall-Favorite, founder of Neighbors Opposing Track Expansion, and Jose Gonzales, co-found of Conexion Americas.

Cars raced on a dirt track at the Fairgrounds into the late 1950s until NASCAR’s Cup Series ran there until 1984. Xfinity and Truck races remained until 25 years ago.