Initially opened in 2001 as a multipurpose superspeedway 30 miles southeast of Nashville proper, Nashville Superspeedway will return to the NASCAR fold on June 19-20.
During its first 10 years of operation, Nashville hosted races for the
NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NTT IndyCar Series.
Configured as a tri-oval, Nashville Superspeedway is the longest concrete oval in NASCAR, which is not a coincidence as it is owned by Dover Motorsports, the same company that owns Dover International Speedway’s 1-mile concrete track.
While many fans hoped for the return of Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway, a beloved short track just four miles from downtown, Nashville Superspeedway, led by new track president Erik Moses, looks to create new racing memories.
On April 14, 2001, the NASCAR Xfinity Series made its first trek to Nashville Superspeedway for a 225-lap race won by Greg Biffle. Over the years, drivers such as Scott Riggs, David Green, Michael Waltrip, Reed Sorenson, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Scott Wimmer, Joey Logano, Jack Sprague, Jason Leffler and Clint Bowyer, among others, enjoyed “Music City” victories.
Less than four months after the Xfinity Series’ inaugural race, the Truck Series stomped its way to Nashville for a race won by Scott Riggs. Along the way, Edwards, Mike Bliss, Bobby Hamilton, David Reutimann, Johnny Benson, Jr. and Todd Bodine, to name a few, triumphed in midsummer showdowns.
Prior to the track’s anticipated return this summer, Nashville Superspeedway was distinct for being one of the few “standalone” tracks at which the Cup Series lacked a race weekend. That will end this year, but drivers like Harvick, Logano and Keselowski may feel a sense of familiarity when they make their first laps in their Cup Series cars. Then again, it may be a wide-open weekend with most drivers not having any experience on this speedway.
While the concrete surface may not be as pristine as it was in 2001, it will present a distinct challenge. Like her sister in Delaware, it’s safe to say Nashville Superspeedway has a reputation where drivers “race the track” versus their competitors. With no similar tracks, a first-time winner may be possible.