LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Guitars and fast cars. NASCAR and Nashville just go together. 

“Racing has got such a strong history in the Middle Tennessee area," Hendersonville driver Josh Berry said.

Nashville Superspeedway opened in 2001 and hosted NASCAR Xfinity Series and Truck Series races for a decade, but the goal of holding a Cup Series race never made it to the starting line.

“The way the climate works on scheduling and opportunities to host — not every venue gets to host NASCAR Cup Series racing," Nashville Superspeedway President Matt Greci said. "It just wasn’t coming through where they could get it. “ 

The lack of a Cup Series race led to declining attendance, which was a collision course for disaster.

“They had to make the business decision to shut it down and go dormant for 10 years," Greci said.

In 2021, Speedway Motorsports purchased the track as part of a larger acquisition of Dover Motorsports, which previously owned the venue. Nashville Superspeedway roared once again — this time, with a Cup Series race.  

“I think we’ve seen the sport go through a little bit of a transition back into its roots," Greci said. "For NASCAR to go back to Bowman Gray this year and to go back to North Wilkesboro, I think it checked one of pillars of hey we need to be back there.” 

The race has been sold out four times in five years, putting any doubts in the rearview mirror.  

“We love country music, guitars, going fast, good honky-tonks," driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said. "Our fans are fans that walk Broadway.”

“We see folks that are repeat buyers and want to come back, see great racing and come to a great place in the country," Greci said. "Being here in Wilson County and having the community back us feels like this is a place to belong and we’re going to be on the NASCAR schedule for a long time to come.” 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/on-tour-middle-tn/nashville-superspeedway/