The Knoxville Raceway is struggling to get a good start to the 2023 season. Five of the first six races have been called off due to inclement weather..

Knoxville General Manager Jason Reed tells KNIA/KRLS what that has meant to the economy. “The advertising money basically is still spent every week, then also the track liability insurance is basically a year long policy, so you’re still paying that every week whether you race or not. So there are some hardships there for the racetrack that they still have to pay and we still have some employees that we’ve had in here working thinking we’re going to race and then end up not racing. And then just the general community too, there’s just not as many people coming to town buying gas, eating out, staying in motels. I’ve talked to a couple of campground people. We plan on having people stay  in your campground every weekend that we race. We haven’t done that yet. So there’s just a loss of revenue across the whole area.”

Fans ask why they don’t just add races. Reed said that is easier said than done. They try not to bump up against other tracks that have nights booked. Also, many of the racers have jobs and it is tough for them to race, and perhaps not be able to get the night off.

Two big race weekends are set up in June with a USAC show June 2 and 3 and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame weekend the same two days. The World of Outlaws will be in town for a two-day event June 9 and 10.