Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The roar of race cars is coming back to a Radford-area track that had been shuttered for the past three years.
Three years ago, the Shelor Group, which owned and operated the facility, shut down racing at the facility. A nationally-televised SRX Series was one of the last events held there in 2024 with Kyle Busch winning in his SRX debut. Since then, the paved .426-mile oval has been silent.
Last year, the Shelor Group donated the facility along with Calfee Park to Pulaski County.
At the time, County Administrator Jonathan Sweet called it one of the largest private donations to a local government in all of Virginia. He was emotional in speaking to the crowd of local leaders and media. Sweet said it was great day for both the county and local sports fans in keeping the facility open for future sporting events.
The county announced a name change to the facility, becoming known as the Pulaski County Motorsports Park. The names the facility had formerly been known as included Pulaski County Speedway, New River Valley Speedway, then Motor Mile Speedway.
Five years ago, the speedway and adjacent dragway was listed for sale at $1.4 million. The exact real estate value is not currently public but could be near that early amount or more.
In 1952, a dirt track originally opened on the former farm site between Radford and Dublin. In the 80’s, a paved 0.416-mile oval was built on the site. The track announced that it had cut all sanctions with NASCAR and discontinued its oval track racing in late 2017 but reopened under NASCAR sanctioning in 2019. It was purchased by Shelor Automotive Group in 2004 and was subsequently renamed Motor Mile Speedway. The track is most famous for hosting four NASCAR Busch Series events between 1989 and 1992, which included future NASCAR champions like Jeff Gordon.
Pulaski County has former a sports entertainment group to oversee all the properties that were donated, along with attracting the public to a new multi-sports facility in a Dublin industrial park.
In the past week, the Pulaski County Sports and Entertainment group said they have been working for the past six months to develop a framework for reopening of the facility. The ultimate goal is to bring both racing and non-racing events back next year.
The statement said: “Currently, the plan’s objective includes a racing schedule at both the speedway and the drag way for next season. Conversations have already taken place with sanctioning bodies, touring series organizers and other key stakeholders that would make it possible.”
Tim Miller was appointed earlier this year the executive director of the sports and entertainment group.
“Since my first day in Pulaski County, I have been getting questions about the Motorsports Park. It has always been my goal to bring racing back to the community, but it has to be done in a way that makes sense and is sustainable. We are not ready to announce anything yet, but we are working toward that goal and are optimistic that we can make it happen.”
Renovations are underway at what will become one of the largest and most versatile indoor sports and event complexes in Virginia and the future hub for recreation, athletics, and entertainment in Pulaski County.
“This project represents a transformational investment by the Board of Supervisors in the health, recreation, and economic future of our county,” said Sweet. “We are excited to see construction beginning and look forward to what this facility will mean for Pulaski County families, athletes, businesses, and the visitors it will bring from around the country.”
Built to meet the needs of both Pulaski County citizens and visitors, the Sportsplex will house youth sports, adult leagues, competitive tournaments, and a range of community and professional events throughout the year.
Located at 3994 Pepperell Way, the new 165,000-square-foot Sportsplex will offer high-quality multisport indoor courts, indoor turf fields, cardio and strength rooms, a golf institute, a 6,300-square-foot indoor playground, a full-service restaurant with catering, a one-fifth mile walking track, and much more.
“This is more than just a building,” said Shay Dunnigan, director of Pulaski County Parks and Recreation. “It’s a hub for connection, competition and community. We are committed to creating a space that serves all ages and interests year-round.”
The Sportsplex will be managed by both Parks and Recreation and Sports and Entertainment with Parks and Recreation managing all community wellness initiatives at the facility, including recreational sports and programming, and Sports and Entertainment overseeing large-scale athletic tournaments and revenue-generating events to help cover the cost of operating the facility. Construction is expected to conclude in late summer or early fall 2026, with the building opening to the public shortly afterward.
“The dual-purpose approach that the county is taking with this building is a win-win for everyone”, said Tim Miller, executive director of Pulaski County Sports and Entertainment. “The local community gets a world-class facility that might otherwise not be possible, and the region gets a state-of-the-art facility that can host major tournaments and events, while also contributing to the local economy.”
Pulaski County procured ZMM Architects and Engineers to serve as the project’s architectural and engineering firm. Over the past eight months, ZMM worked closely with county leaders to develop the renovation project and bring the vision of the Sportsplex to life through thoughtful design, planning, and collaboration.
The lowest of nine competitive bids came in under $13.5 million. The county let the contract with R.L. Price and subsequently signed a value-engineered change-order lowering the cost by $1.3 million for an adjusted construction renovation cost of $12.2 million. The county sold $10.75 million in bonds on the open market. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors planned this project for numerous years and successfully saved and assigned $2.289 million for a total of $13.039 million in funds available for this project and purpose.
