Photo by Knoxville Raceway

Back in 2015 Knoxville Raceway was approved for a sales tax rebate where the track was set to receive five cents back out of every seven cents paid into the state for improvements made to the facilities through 2025 up to $1.8 million.

Knoxville Raceway General Manager Jason Reed tells KNIA/KRLS News, “We built a new restroom here underneath the grandstands, we built a new one at our north campgrounds and we’re in the process of remodeling the old existing one out there currently at the campground. Then also if you come in our south drive of the fairgrounds entrance we have paved the road back to the showbarn. We added some handicapped parking with all concrete back to the ticket office. Those are all improvements we’ve done plus we’ve updated the elevator two years ago with an update on it.”

Reed said there were some issues with the Department of Revenue. As Knoxville was turning in receipts they weren’t getting money back from the state. So, from 2015 through 2018 Knoxville never recouped any of the money they were supposed to get back according to Reed.

In 2019 Knoxville Raceway started to get some of the money. The original bill is set to expire in 2025 for sales tax rebates. With the lost years of no rebates and 2020 with COVID, Knoxville has been working with legislators to get the rebate sales tax extended to 2030. According to Reed, Knoxville expects to get word on the sales tax extension within a couple of weeks.