*** Updated Monday evening Atomic Speedway ownership leader Charlie Vest says there are some major announcements coming to enhance their programming schedule for the year 2022.
The track’s new ownership took over in August of 2021, but Vest says some big news is on the horizon for the 2022 season.
Charlie Vest sat down with Litter Media’s Dan Ramey to discuss how the 2021 season went and looking forward to 2022 brings.
The biggest news comes from Charlotte, North Carolina with the release of the 2022 World of Outlaws schedule. In its release Monday evening, the series announced it would be returning to four Ohio tracks, including Atomic Speedway.
“Even more significant, 2022 will be the first time since 2009 that the Series has visited the 3/8-mile track” explained the release. “The World of Outlaws Gumout Series was the first to visit the track in 2001 before the premier Series made its trip to Atomic in 2003.”
Vest would only reveal “fans will want to stay home Memorial Day Weekend” meaning something big was coming to Atomic.
In spring of 2020, Atomic Speedway Chad Walters was introduced as a new partner in ownership of the track located in the Huntington Hills on Blain Highway.
Just a few weeks later, Atomic Speedway became the first sporting venue to hold an event once Ohio was given the all clear to re-open in May of 2020 following the shutdown due to the pandemic.
Walters’ arrival gave Brad McCown the opportunity to make some much needed improvements to the 3/8ths mile high-banked dirt track. Wednesday, Walters confirmed he had bought out his partner of more than a year.
In a post on Facebook, McCown announced “It is with great sadness that, effective immediately, I am no longer a part of Atomic Speedway.” The post began with “One last trip around the ole girl” referring to a video taking a final lap on the dirt.
“The last 8 years have been quite a ride and Atomic Speedway will always hold a special place in my life. Hopefully over this time people have seen my passion for the rebirth and success of the speedway. I appreciate all the great people who I have met during this time and I hope that as future racing endeavors pop up that those relationships continue.”
Walters told Litter Media he agreed with McCown’s assessment of his passion and rebirth. Walters hope is to take the track to the next level. In so doing, the track will have new ownership with a group led by veteran sprint car driver Charlie Vest.
“Everybody included hopes the very best for Brad in his future endeavors” Vest told Litter Media. He’s done some good things in the track’s revival and we hope to take it to the next level.”
Vest says he was interested in purchasing the track a couple of years ago. “I really love the track. The staff’s going to stay and we’re gonna lean on their experience to finish out the 2021 season. We hope to take the track to the next level.” That level Vest says is as a more diverse entertainment venue. “We hope to diversify the track with other events (such as concerts) like the bigger tracks do.”
Vest also brings some NASCAR experience with him from his days driving in the Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series. “Brad did a great job, and we need to build on it and bring Atomic back to its hey day of the 70s and 80s.”
The next big night for racing is August 21st with Atomic Speedway’s Hall of Fame Night presented by Herrnstein Auto Group. Vest recently flipped his sprint car and desired making an entry into the race, but with the ownership change, he may have to strap in to a different kind of driver’s seat on race night.
“I’ll have some duties to be focused on rather than racing my car that night.”
Saturday, Atomic Speedway officials announced a move due to the forecast wintry weather this Wednesday. Instead, the event has been moved to Thursday night.
Late Model dirt action from Atomic Speedway near Chillicothe, Ohio. Photo by Zachary Bethel for Litter Media
Due to the forecasted weather and chilly temperatures on Friday, March 19th, the Buckeye Spring 50 at Atomic Speedway has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 21st, with starting times being moved up one hour earlier.
Sunday’s event at Atomic Speedway, the 7th Annual Buckeye Spring 50, will pay $12,000-to-win and include an $800-to-win event for the Sport Modifieds.
Buy tickets online or at the gate, which opens at 2pm. Pre-sale ordered tickets can get bin at 1:30pm. Hotlaps at 5pm. General admission $30, ages 0-10 are free, seniors/veterans $25. Pit passes ages 0-5 are free, 6-10 $20, 11+ $40.
To see the entire 2021 schedule and for more information, visit www.atomicspeedway.net
After rains forced Atomic Speedway’s opening night to be pushed back four nights, the weather was perfect Tuesday.
The roar of engines filled the Huntington Hills as dust rose into the night sky as Cole Duncan took the checkered flag in the 410 Sprint Car Invitational.
The only thing missing was the fans in the stands due to the coronavirus pandemic. That will be the same for Atomic’s next race featuring Late Models Friday May 29th.
Tuesday’s race was televised in a pay-per-view format by Speed Shift TV. Friday’s race will be another PPV event and will be carried by www.dirtondirt.com.
Our Litter Media Cameras were there to capture highlights.
UPDATE: Heavy rains have forced the opening to Tuesday May 26th.
(Story originally posted Saturday May 16th)
While NASCAR resumes its season this weekend, race teams will be kicking up dust locally at Atomic Speedway Thursday May 21st. Brad McCown made the announcement during a Facebook Live broadcast Friday afternoon, saying “It’s time to go racin’.”
As with the stock car race at Darlington Sunday, dirt track excitement at Atomic will be without spectators. In addition, race teams will face social distancing restrictions in the pit area.
It will be the Scioto Valley Region’s first sports event since the state put a halt to such events due to the coronavirus pandemic in March.
“They gave us the go ahead to go without fans for now” McCown said of the approval by the Ross County Health District. “It’ll be drivers, plus four crew members. Everybody in the pits will pit 10 foot apart.”
Fans will be able to watch the action of The 410 Sprint Invitational via pay per view being telecast by Speed Shift TV. Then Friday May 29th, Late Models will line up at Atomic.
McCown also stated the dirt track has a new ownership partner, Chad Walters, in a deal completed Friday.
