MIDDLEBOURNE, W.Va. – A new ownership group has taken control of Ohio Valley Speedway in Washington, W.Va.
The team, led by Tyler County Speedway’s John Watson and key staff member Randy Whaley, have completed the purchase of the speedway from current owners Wayne McPeek and the Vincent family.
Ohio Valley Speedway was rebooted near the 2004-05 season under the direction and ownership of Everett and Donna Vincent, with the help of Wayne and Amy McPeek. Throughout the next 15 years they would face lift the facility and continued to run every Saturday night since making it one of West Virginia’s top grassroots facilities with more than 230 events through their tenure.
“We thank the Vincent and McPeek Family for their hard work and efforts at the Ohio Valley Speedway over the last fifteen seasons,” said Watson. “Rebuilding a track is no easy feat, they should be commended on a job well done and the many things they’ve done for the area. It’s our goal to stay within the framework that Wayne and family have built while continuing to build Ohio Valley Speedway into one of the states best racing facilities for many years to come.”
The new ownership team, known as Ohio Valley Motorsports Group LCC, is anxious to get to work at the speedway. One major but requisite change includes a switch in race nights. The speedway, which has operated recently on Saturday nights, will make the switch to Friday nights in an effort to work closely with its neighboring co-track, Tyler County Speedway.
The new night of operation will allow the tandem of tracks to work together for the betterment of the area. Scheduling arrangements, series coordination, point funds and discount offers are all possibilities as the tracks begin closely working in conjunction with one another. The potentials are limitless and should create rewarding opportunities weekly for area teams and fans.
The Watson Family, with the Hometown Racing Ass’n, have been in racing for nearly two decades, including the full time operation of the Tyler County Speedway since 2013. The team has modernized the Middlebourne, W.Va., speedway with big improvements including new scoring towers, all aluminum bleacher seating, new expanded pit tower, new lightning and electric, new pavilion, new guardrails and more.
The group plans take the same cutting edge, blue collar approach and apply it to Ohio Valley Speedway in a manner that pays proper homage to the traditions created by the McPeek and Vincent family while also adding its own flair. Additionally, the team is responsible for the creation and current management behind the national Renegades of Dirt Modified Tour.
Several items are on the agenda at the speedway as new ownership opens the gates in April. However, many things will also be on going throughout the coming seasons. Plans for new perimeter fencing, expanded pit area, handicap parking, increased lighting, concession upgrades, fresh paint and more will be immediate with bigger projects planned for the future. Reserved pit parking stalls will be available soon. Current general admission VIP patio spots will remain a priority, with those currently holding them at the current price of $500 per spot.
Ohio Valley Motorsports Group will keep the same divisions at the speedway competing under the currently established rules for the current season. A few appearances by the Fastrak Late Models, EDGE Hotmods and select other classes will be added throughout the season.
Management plans to tailor a schedule that features new events while also maintaining the traditions in place, like the annual Christmas in July event and Schilling Memorial. A complete schedule is forth coming with the new, two day Renegade Nationals headlining the fall slate. The OVSCA sprint cars will remain on the schedule and the Finale At The Valley – the final points night – featuring the second annual $3,000 to win Keith Barker Memorial for super late models, will take place in late August.