The 2019 racing season is just around the corner and with it a whole new set of challenges for the Texas World Speedway team! Their biggest challenge will be to keep up with the growth of racing in their state and abroad, while still maintaining the “small-town America” atmosphere that has made the track special and unique.
The track is located in the town of World, which is actually at the edge of the town of Columbus, but for the purposes of this article let’s assume they are the same place. The current capacity of the track is roughly 100,000 fans, and it regularly fills up to three times that capacity, especially on race weekends. It has been referred to as “the most famous track” in the world and races like the Chili Bowl, the Snowball Fight, and the Star Trek Convention have been held there. The track has also played host to a G-7 summit and the NCAA track and field championships. The list of famous people who have raced there goes on and on, but it’s hard to put into words the unique feeling that comes with driving or walking through the gates of a world heritage site!
Why The Growth Of Racing In Texas?
The sport of racing in general and motorsport in particular have seen a huge surge in popularity in Texas, especially in recent years. This is most likely thanks to the expansive TV coverage that the state has enjoyed, starting with the Granddaddy of them all, the 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2018, for example, there were 26 professional motorsport events held in Texas, compared to just nine in 2014. Among those, were the inaugural IndyCar Classic, the United Airlines Cleveland Circle Cup and several Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
In addition to the increase in on-track action, the state has also seen an uptick in opportunities for motorsport fans to get involved in the sport. In 2018, for example, there were 24 race clubs, 26 racing guilds and organizations, and over 90,000 registered motorsport fans in Texas.
The Future Of Racing In Texas
The bright yellow flags are officially waving and it’s time for the Texas World Speedway team to get to work. The biggest challenge they face is putting the pieces in place to keep up with all the growth, while also ensuring that the track maintains its charm and allure. With more people getting into the sport and more events happening, it’ll be interesting to see how they make the most of these next few months. If you’re a fan of auto racing in Texas, then you can follow them on social media to keep up with all the latest news and updates!