Residents and racing supporters in South Carolina have organized protests against plans to demolish Greenville-Pickens Speedway and replace it with an industrial park development. The historic racetrack, located in Pickens County, is slated for redevelopment by SC Speedway Hwy, LLC, which has proposed constructing a 376,380-square-foot industrial building along with retail space, a gas station and a restaurant complex.
Community members gathered and voiced opposition after reports surfaced that demolition of the speedway would clear the site for the new development. Among those speaking out is Tasha Porter Kummer, the first woman to win a Late Model race at the track. Kummer, a longtime competitor at Greenville-Pickens, has publicly opposed the demolition and has worked to generate support for preserving the facility. She has also sought potential investors, including individuals within the NASCAR community, in an effort to secure a buyer for the property. Reports indicate she received an offer of approximately $3 million, though no sale has been finalized.
Opponents argue the track holds significant historical value. Greenville-Pickens Speedway is recognized as the second-oldest NASCAR-sanctioned track in the United States and was the site of the first televised NASCAR race in 1971. Over the years, drivers including Ralph Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Johnny Allen and David Pearson competed at the venue. Supporters have taken to social media and public forums to urge local officials to reconsider redevelopment plans…