View Full Version : Oklahoma City Should Build NASCAR facility at Fair Park?



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Laramie
04-30-2008, 10:49 AM
How about considering a NASCAR facility at Fair Park in Oklahoma City?

Midtowner
04-30-2008, 11:04 AM
All that noise so close to where I live? No thanks.

I think Stroud would be the best place for such a project.

Laramie
04-30-2008, 11:10 AM
All that noise so close to where I live? No thanks.

I think Stroud would be the best place for such a project.

Stroud woud probably be a better option, it would bring Oklahoma City closer to Tulsa.

Oklahoma City could build its' stadium side of the track and Tulsa could build their own side.







Nat King Cole: "Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty when I get my kicks on Route 66."

Drake
04-30-2008, 11:25 AM
There are already more tracks than races. Just because you build a track doesn't mean you will get a race.

Kerry
04-30-2008, 11:30 AM
NASCAR yes - at State Fair Park no. I won't even go into the problems for neighbors and noise, but a NASCAR tack is way more than just the facility. You need accomadation for 100,000 to 200,000 fans. Hotels, food, parking, camping, shopping, pre-race functions, and everything else. A NASCAR event starts 5 days before the race does.

I would like to see a road course in Oklahoma City. It could either be built using downtown streets or an actual track. How cool would it be to see NASCAR or even the Nationwide circuit running on an actual street course.

jarrington00
04-30-2008, 11:36 AM
I don't think fair park would be big enough. You need a ton of space for the track (at least 2 miles), stadium seating, parking RV and cars. Not to mention any hotels or garages needed. I'm guessing at least 1,000 acres. Texas Motor Speedway is 1,500 acres.

sroberts24
04-30-2008, 11:52 AM
how bout on the south west side of the airport just a lil further out, maybe once they get the turnpike complete it could be out there? i don't know, but not at the state fair, way too close to where i live

OKCMallen
04-30-2008, 12:30 PM
No.

sgt. pepper
04-30-2008, 12:35 PM
It seems like i read somewhere a while back that Tulsa was wanting to to build a nascar complex and nascar told them you can built it, but we wont come. I don't think we can support nascar anyway imo.

FritterGirl
04-30-2008, 12:42 PM
I still remember summer days long gone sitting on my grandmother's porch on 21st Street in Linwood listening to the dulcet tones of the stock car engines as they drove round the Fair Park track. Or, was that the Krazy Kars, or demolition derby, or drag races, or whatever cars were out that day. One thing about it, it sure ruined a nice peaceful summer's eve...especially when the AC was on the crank and we had to sit outside just to cool down.

Whatever was going on, it was loud and disturbing.

I'll hold off on my opinions of NASCAR in general (suffice it to say I'm not a fan), but will say that if it were to be built, I would suggest a place, like Stroud, where it could accommodate far more people in regards to parking, etc.

Others have better ideas where it should be located. To have it in OKC, in my opinion, is cringe-worthy.

Karried
04-30-2008, 12:59 PM
Agreed ... please no.

Talladega Nights anyone?

I know it's popular, and I would support it but not so close in the city. Very Loud.

metro
04-30-2008, 01:02 PM
All that noise so close to where I live? No thanks.

I think Stroud would be the best place for such a project.

I'm with Mid on this one. Do you know how much NOISE a NASCAR facility makes? You don't see them in the heart of a city, you see them on the outskirts for a reason. State Fair Park makes enough noise as it is with their little dirt track, let alone a full blown NASCAR track.

chuckdiesel
04-30-2008, 01:28 PM
Somewhere around Remington would be a good place I think. Isn't their a proposed new casino trying to build there too? That would be a good combo on race weekends.

FritterGirl
04-30-2008, 01:37 PM
Once again, you have gobs of neighborhoods in that area, especially to the west.

If built somewhere away from any major city or town and you would not have to worry about the noise.

DFW track or whatever it is called is waaaaay out in the middle of virtually nowhere. It's near an airport, but that airport is largely used to transport goods, not people.

Midtowner
04-30-2008, 01:50 PM
I doubt there's any point to this. We're too close to DFW for Nascar to want to have another racetrack. Our population is dwarfed by Texas. Forget about this, it ain't happening.

Chefdavies
04-30-2008, 02:20 PM
It kinda of depends on the type of NASCAR track. Incase some of you all didn't NASCAR is just the title. There are many different types of classes under this name. I think if okc made the fairgrounds ALOT better, (which I had heard they are all ready planning,) they could get a NASCAR event. Granted it wouldn't be a Sprint cup, or Nationwide race, but it could pull a dirt track race. Tulsa already has the Chili Bowl, which if you want tickets better buy them now for next years race. This event attracts many of the big name racers. Its a possiblity, but I wouldn't want a full blown race track here. You are correct we are sandwiched between texas motorspeedway and Kansas speedway.

Lord Helmet
04-30-2008, 02:23 PM
Ugh. Please no.

CuatrodeMayo
04-30-2008, 02:47 PM
I'd be down with a road course through OKC. Even if it's not NASCAR, it would be fun.

Then again, why would anybody want to race the streets of OKC? There are a ton more interesting streets in other cities. Now a road course through Nichols Hill would rock...hehe

Blairman
04-30-2008, 03:48 PM
Laramie

I appreciate your ideas and I know that you want just the best for OKC.
NASCAR is as close to Oklahoma now as it will ever be. Kansas City and Ft Worth beat us to the punch.

While I do not have a exact quote or numbers, the number of season ticket holders in Oklahoma for the Texas Motor Speedway is quite impressive.

It would be smart to upgrade the State Fair Speedway to create a equalivant crowd that a horse show draws to the fairgrounds.

Speaking of horses its funny to hear Remington Park call their facility a major league facility, everyone wants to hitch their trailer to the Major League theme.

I think "Major League Mick" mentioned something to people that attend the races
at the fairgrounds that he would consider upgrades to the facility under a MAPS III proposal.

EvokeCoffee
04-30-2008, 04:15 PM
The guys were brought this up today on The Sports Animal - saying OKC was more likely to build and support NASCAR than the NHL. Quickly, however, as Blairman said, most people agree that with the great tracks in TX and KS, that would never happen.

Watson410
04-30-2008, 04:35 PM
Seriously people?!?! I don't understand why everyone thinks OKC is out of the question just because Kansas and Texas have already built their NASCAR track. Both Texas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway are Intermediate tracks, which means the track lenth is greater than 1 mile but less than 2. OKC should...no wait let me rephrase that.... OKC NEEDS to build a Short track for two simple reasons. 1. Less seating... approx. 50,000-65,000... we wouldn't have to worry about filling that, 20% of the attendance at Texas Motor Speedway is from Oklahoma. 2. a short track would be a variety from other tracks around here, the closes Short track is on the east coast.... Do u think people from Arkansas, Texas, Kansas would rather drive a few hours to OKC or drive several hours East to see a closer race on a much tighter track where your driving skills would have to be crisp to even get around the track? For those of you that don't think NASCAR would work here, Your kidding yourself. East Coast tracks are much closer than Kansas and OKC would be and some just as close as Texas and OKC would be.... Check the map.... Aerial Views of NASCAR Nextel Cup Tracks via Google Maps -- Map of NASCAR Track Locations (http://www.mergetek.com/grabmap.aspx?ArticleID=102)

kevinpate
04-30-2008, 04:52 PM
nuttin says nimby like loud crowds, loud motors and litter :)

Oh GAWD the Smell!
04-30-2008, 06:30 PM
I'm with Kerry and Cuatro...Road racing would just rule. I'm not a racing fan, but I would go to one of those...F1 cars zooming under the tracks and shooting past The Brick at 110 mph would ROCK.

Kerry
04-30-2008, 06:42 PM
How about about Tony Stewart passing Dale Jr as they come of the bend on E.K. Gaylord.

Oh GAWD the Smell!
04-30-2008, 06:54 PM
I'd rather see F1 racing...But I'd watch those guys too if that's all there was.

I just dislike the whole NASCAR scene...Leaves a bad taste in my mouth as being just so...Oh...Cliche redneck.

But that's my bias, more power to people that like it.

Karried
04-30-2008, 07:42 PM
nuttin says nimby like loud crowds, loud motors and litter :)


True dat, I'd move in a heartbeat ...

I'm sorry, I just don't want Nascar in OKC. Arcadia maybe. Next to Pops.

PapaJack
04-30-2008, 08:43 PM
With proper engineering, the Core to Shore park could also be a race track, muck like the Portland Oregon circuit. Auto racing is the world’s most popular sport, and a street race in OKC would be fantastic.

Des Moines, Iowa held several road races (SCCA TransAm series) in its downtown in the early 70’s. I think this predated the resurgence of Des Moines DT which has been well documented elsewhere in this blog. I’m not saying the racing caused the turnaround, but both IRL and CART bring a crowd of owners, drivers, sponsors and spectators with lots of disposable income. OKC would open some very influential eyes if we could get a race.

Having a F1 race in OKC would be like having the Super Bowl at Taft Stadium. I think Tony George invested at least 100 million dollars just to create the course at Indianapolis. It’s just too far of a reach.

NASCAR sanctions many entry and junior level series besides it’s Sprint Cup. OKC Fairgrounds is arguably one of the finest dirt tracks in the country, even with its aging grandstand. But the management is mired in a regional racing format with absolutely no potential for driver advancement. I can’t think of a single driver from the OKC track who made it to the big time, other than occasional World of Outlaws. A NASCAR sanctioned track would change that.

As for the comments stereotyping NASCAR fans, millions of them can't be wrong, even if they do cling to religion, guns and the National Anthem. The latest "redneck" to start a NASCAR team is NFL star Randy Moss. hmmm

FritterGirl
04-30-2008, 09:44 PM
With proper engineering, the Core to Shore park could also be a race track, muck like the Portland Oregon circuit.

God, please no!

pearlbluevtx
04-30-2008, 10:50 PM
It would be interesting to study that NASCAR track map and see what the density/population areas are for those tracks and especially the ones so close together and/or similar in distance as FT Worth & KC.

Personally, I would love it. And, I think locating between Tulsa & OKC would be a really cool idea ... like the Stroud idea. But, I don't see it happening either b/c of density ... those tracks don't just support NASCAR events either. Those are just the big deals - they have all sorts of events. If it was a smaller venue then maybe that would work. I love the idea though.

I'm not a red neck either ... O-GAWD ... :)
I think you might be surprised as who can fill those 100-200k crowds!

Oh GAWD the Smell!
05-01-2008, 02:23 AM
With proper engineering, the Core to Shore park could also be a race track, muck like the Portland Oregon circuit. Auto racing is the world’s most popular sport, and a street race in OKC would be fantastic.

Des Moines, Iowa held several road races (SCCA TransAm series) in its downtown in the early 70’s. I think this predated the resurgence of Des Moines DT which has been well documented elsewhere in this blog. I’m not saying the racing caused the turnaround, but both IRL and CART bring a crowd of owners, drivers, sponsors and spectators with lots of disposable income. OKC would open some very influential eyes if we could get a race.

Having a F1 race in OKC would be like having the Super Bowl at Taft Stadium. I think Tony George invested at least 100 million dollars just to create the course at Indianapolis. It’s just too far of a reach.

NASCAR sanctions many entry and junior level series besides it’s Sprint Cup. OKC Fairgrounds is arguably one of the finest dirt tracks in the country, even with its aging grandstand. But the management is mired in a regional racing format with absolutely no potential for driver advancement. I can’t think of a single driver from the OKC track who made it to the big time, other than occasional World of Outlaws. A NASCAR sanctioned track would change that.

As for the comments stereotyping NASCAR fans, millions of them can't be wrong, even if they do cling to religion, guns and the National Anthem. The latest "redneck" to start a NASCAR team is NFL star Randy Moss. hmmm

Millions of people can be wrong. Actually, billions can wrong. Just ask a Muslim. Or a Christian. Or an Atheist. Or a 4 year old. Just because a whole lot of people do something doesn't make it right.

But that's beside the point.

I didn't really mean that all NASCAR fans are rednecks...I just meant that it seems that way TO ME as an outsider looking in. The gaudy clothes, the Bud Light, the #3 stickers....But I don't like sports in general, I don't get going nutbar over football either.

I also know that we have about as much chance of landing an F1 event as I have for winning the lottery without buying a ticket. But it's still fun to dream sometimes.

traxx
05-01-2008, 10:01 AM
How about about Tony Stewart passing Dale Jr as they come of the bend on E.K. Gaylord.

More like Tony Stewart getting up under him and getting Jr. loose. That's about what Smoke is good at...causing wrecks.

With TMS just down the road and the track in KC, I don't see us getting a major NASCAR event here. Maybe one of the lower tier, local NASCAR sanctioned races, but not a Sprint Cup or Nationwide race.

And don't worry about the noise at the State Fairgrounds, a Sprint Cup track wouldn't fit there anyway. You not only have to have a mile-and-half to two-mile oval, but you also have to have grandstands to seat about 200K as well the garage, room for drivers trucks and trailers and all the RVs that the specatators bring.

Also, NASCAR isn't like pro football or baseball. You don't need a certain population to support a track because alot of the fans travel and they travel well. With NASCAR visiting several of the tracks twice a season it wouldn't be any problem to move one of the races to a new track, but I just don't see NASCAR putting a race in Oklahoma since we're sandwiched between Texas and Kansas.

And as far as the redneck thing goes, NASCAR has tracks in Chicago, Las Vegas, California, Monteal, Milwaukee and New Hampshire to name a few. So it's not just a Southern, redneck thing anymore.

bornhere
05-02-2008, 02:30 PM
Who's going to pay for this?

Midtowner
05-02-2008, 02:35 PM
Who's going to pay for this?

A lottery?

CCOKC
05-02-2008, 02:54 PM
I flew home from Mexico on Wednesday and had to stop at DFW for customs.
When we left we had to fly south over downtown Ft Worth and then flew right over the racetrack north of town. I don't think I realized how big the footprint for a NASCAR track is. It was as large or larger than downtown Ft Worth. You can probably do a Google earth to find out for sure. There is a reason this thing was built so far outside of town.

OUGrad05
05-04-2008, 09:14 PM
We definately need a Nascar track, but I think the Shawnee area or just north of Guthrie would be better suited for the facility. Not right in the middle of town...anyone been to texas or kansas city? Traffic is pretty unbearable and those facilities are not in the middle of town and were designed to help minimize traffic.

By putting it just north or east of the metro we can attract people from Tulsa (like myself) as well as wichita, ft smith and even as far away as little rock. I also think a short and unique 1 miler would be great and it should seat 80 to 120k with room for additions later on.

chrisok
05-04-2008, 10:12 PM
Who's going to pay for this?

Lately, all the new (built in the past 10 years) tracks that have Sprint Cup races have been built and are owned by corporations.

zuluwarrior0760
05-04-2008, 11:21 PM
We should build a Nascar track downtown on the river!!!!!!!!!

kevinpate
05-05-2008, 05:21 AM
.oO(maybe Chesapeake 500)Oo.

bornhere
05-05-2008, 10:53 AM
We don't 'definitely need' a NASCAR track.

Joe Kimball
05-05-2008, 10:57 AM
And anyway, I thought they were thinking about or going to tear down the State Fair Speedway, which ties in with the demolition of the monorail (at least this is what I heard I-forget-where). Any truth?

mmonroe
05-06-2008, 11:57 PM
What about the area south east of Crossroads mall?

Oh GAWD the Smell!
05-07-2008, 02:09 AM
What about the area south east of Crossroads mall?

You'll have to pry The Diamond from the redneck's cold, dead hands.

metro
05-07-2008, 07:30 AM
We don't 'definitely need' a NASCAR track.

I think this is the first statement I can agree with bornhere on.

chrisok
05-07-2008, 07:30 PM
We don't 'definitely need' a NASCAR track.

I believe OKC has almost ZERO chance of landing a track. That ship has sailed. The schedule is basically full, and there are tracks that are waiting in line to get a race. Kentucky comes to mind. Granted, some tracks with two Sprint Cup races are suffering from declining attendance. California and Atlanta are examples of that. However, NASCAR would be reluctant to move a race from a major market like Los Angeles or Atlanta to come to Oklahoma City. Plus, if a new track is going to built, NASCAR would like to go somewhere like New York.

Having said that, if someone offered to finance and build a racetrack in the Oklahoma City area, with a guarantee of a Sprint Cup Race, we'd be crazy to say "no". First of all, a track could only be built in a farily rural area. There is just not enough room for a race track in the middle of metro area. In my opinion, the concern with noise or traffic is a non starter. For example, Texas (which has some of the worst traffic issues) has 2 Sundays a year that a Sprint Cup race occurs. On those same weekends, the Nationwide races are held on Saturdays. However, traffic is hardly an issue as "only" about 60,000 - 80,000 show up as opposed to 200,000 for the Sunday race. Noise isn't even too big an issue, as it would be in a rural area and the parking area surrounding the track keeps the track a considerable distance from major roads, neighborhods, or businesses.

Economically, the windfall the metro would receive would incredible. You could potentially get two weekends a year where tens of thousands of people come to our city and stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, buy our Milwaukee's Best (haha), and visit our other attractions. Many people that go to races show up earlly in the week and don't go home until Monday of the next week.

In addition, a track could very possibly land an IRL or Truck race as well. While these events are not nearly as well attended, they still bring in people that spend money.

The rest of the year, the track could be used to host concerts and other events, not to mention there's always Richard Petty's Driving School. Nothing like going out and driving over a 100 mph then bumping your husband/wife/mother in law out of the way in turn three!

NativeOkie
09-09-2008, 03:01 PM
I was wondering is there a drag strip in or around OKC?
The one in Denver does quite well.
I think Nascar is a perfect fit for OKC now that the NBA is here.
I remember the races at the fairgrounds as a kid.
The rodeo was lost to Vegas.
Why not try a race at the crossroads of America, on Americas route 66.
Maybe out west of Yukon.

sgt. pepper
09-09-2008, 03:21 PM
i think there is a drag strip in near Norman. Maybe someone in here can pin point it for you.

jbrown84
09-09-2008, 03:28 PM
If NASCAR were ever a possibility, the track should go where Crossroads is now. Perfect spot.

NativeOkie
09-09-2008, 03:36 PM
Is that Big enough?
If so good idea. That would answer the is crossroads mall closing debate

Watson410
09-09-2008, 04:32 PM
The only drag strip around here is Thunder Valley, which is in Noble about 10 south of Norman... It would need ALOT of work if it were to ever hold a NHRA event. OKC for sure needs either an NHRA drag strip or NASCAR track.

HOT ROD
09-09-2008, 08:10 PM
I think an NHRA/IHRA drag strip at the State Fairgrounds would be better!

Watson410
09-09-2008, 08:14 PM
Absolutely! Thunder Valley is in the middle of nowhere. Anywhere in the city or just outside of the city limits (Due to noise) would be great

jacodenn
09-10-2008, 06:03 AM
Shoot, I would be happy with a quality go-kart track in NW OKC. But, I say YES to a NASCAR Super-Speedway!

sroberts24
09-10-2008, 07:39 AM
Shoot, I would be happy with a quality go-kart track in NW OKC. But, I say YES to a NASCAR Super-Speedway!

p2r is fun, but i want a speed zone

Hollywood
09-10-2008, 04:06 PM
I would be more than happy to see a NASCAR track built in the Metro and would love to see it to the north of northwest of OKC proper. Despite the tracks in Texas and Kansas I think one could survive if it was brought into both the Sprint and Nationwide series. Unlike other sports, tracks don't have to truly compete against each other. More so if the tracks are different. Then they compliment each other.

With Texas and Kansas being Speedways of decent length a well designed Short Track would pull fans in from around the region; Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, etc., etc. not to include vacationers who travel around the country to races. The other benefit would be the aformentioned foot print. Obviously a Speedway or Super Speedway is going to cover some serious land due to the track length. A solid Short Track can be constructed more to look like a stadium than a sprawling complex.

I think it would work and would love to see it done. Do I think it will happen? Well, at the moment, no. But we have all learned how things are changing contiually around here nowadays.

Edit to Add: If you get bored, Google "Mini Cup Car" and look around. I would really love if someone made a high quality over the top track for these in the Metro!!! I'd buy a car in a heartbeat to race here in the city!!!

grantgeneral78
09-10-2008, 05:57 PM
Yes a nascar track would be nice here but in all reality, I do not think nascar would approve of one because there schedule is tight as it is. I am a long time fan of the sport but nascar needs to wake up and smell the coffee or they are going to loose some fan base.
The cars are so generic now all of them reminds me of a old slot car track you had as a kid with all the cars the same just different colors. That being said they need to return to there roots for example.
Let there personality`s come to the surface and quit smothering them, and what happened to "run what ya brung"? It is hard for fans to identify with the automakers cars because of all the similarity. Bring back the automakers designed cars with new technology nothing better than seeing the old cars with the huge rear wings and the fords with the 428 decals and so on...only way you can tell a ford from a chevy or toyota now is it says name on the front bumper...wow so exciting!

bluedogok
09-10-2008, 08:07 PM
I think an NHRA/IHRA drag strip at the State Fairgrounds would be better!
There was one there, it is where my dad took me to learn to drive. He raced there in the late 60's/early 70's until it closed and he saw Big Daddy Don Garlits and other race there. It closed due to the speed of the cars, it did not have enough runoff room once the cars were approaching 200 mph. The end of the track was about 100 feet from May Avenue. Black Gold Drive is actually part of the old drag strip (Google Maps Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=oklahoma+city+fairgrounds&ie=UTF8&ll=35.468735,-97.569623&spn=0.004317,0.009656&t=h&z=17)). There really isn't room to put one in there now with the other buildings on the fairgrounds and they are looking into requiring even more and reconfigured runoffs after the death of Scott Kallita at Englishtown in New Jersey.

Bandimere Raceway (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bandimere,+denver,+colorado&ie=UTF8&ll=39.662865,-105.187054&spn=0.01632,0.038624&t=h&z=15) is huge in comparison and there is talk of a drag strip being built in a complex out by DIA that Penske has been trying to build for awhile with a Nascar oval and other tracks. That way Bandimere can close and the area redeveloped since there has been a bunch of it in that area of Morrison.

The big building boom here has been the "country club" racetracks, there are three in the DFW area, two built and one under construction in the Houston area, one opened this year in San Marcos and another proposed out near Blanco. That has made the track day people happy.

Kerry
09-11-2008, 12:51 PM
I think you guys are focusing on NASCAR too much. NASCAR is just one of many racing circuits. There are ARCA, USAC, Nationwide, drifting, pickups, motorcycles, Hooter Cup, and many many others. We don't have to build another Talladega Superspeedway. We only need something better than Memphis Motorsport Park. Trust me, that wouldn't be hard to do. Heck, I drive by the South Georgia Motor Sport complex every week and there is always an event going on there.

Memphis Motorsports Park (http://www.memphismotorsports.com/)
South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Adel Ga | Race SGMP | NHRA Drag Strip | Racetrack | Circle Track Racing (http://www.racesgmp.com/)

None of this could be built at the Fair Grounds however.

JWil
09-11-2008, 01:22 PM
I doubt there's any point to this. We're too close to DFW for Nascar to want to have another racetrack. Our population is dwarfed by Texas. Forget about this, it ain't happening.

Exactly. Not only that, but the percentage of tickets at TMS with Oklahoma addresses is pretty high. And since TMS has two races and NASCAR events are on the weekend, there's a wide region that can make those. With Oklahoma between Kansas' speedway and TMS I just don't see it.

SoonerDave
09-11-2008, 05:02 PM
Have to concur with the other thoughts on this board that suggest there's just no way an OKC track would compete with the existing TMS facility. I'd wager that TMS encompasses a total land area well beyond that of our fairgrounds.

-SoonerDave

Hollywood
09-11-2008, 05:41 PM
If a plan was developed and executed properly it could work if a developer had the desire. Unlike other sports the tracks wouldn't "compete." You have Oklahoma fans who travel to Texas for that race and you Have Texas fans who would travel here when there was a race here. Not to include the surrounding states and the people with cash who travel across the country.

Someone could build a tough short track "stadium" and it would compliment TMS by offering a far different style of NASCAR racing. Fans in the middle of the country would finally have the ability to see different styles of tracks instead of having to go to the east coast.

Plus, the short track wouldn't have to have as big a footprint. Probably half that of TMS and would still be successful. Would I love to see it happen, yessir! Will it? I doubt it. Would TMS kill any chance? Nope, two different places and two different kinds of tracks.