With the racing world paused amid the COVID-19 outbreak, SPEED SPORT is highlighting race tracks around the United States. This is part of that ongoing series.
Track of the Day: I-30 Speedway
Address: 12297 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209
Website:Â www.i-30speedway.com
History: I-30 Speedway has been in operation since 1958, but not at the same address or under the same name.
The track originally opened as Benton Speedbowl on June 29, 1956 in Saline County, Ark. However, in 1959 the state government condemned and purchased the land in order to build an overpass.
The track found its new home in Little Rock, Ark., though the name Benton Speedbowl remained for years before the track was eventually rebranded as I-30 Speedway. In 1987, Joe Clay purchased the track out of bankruptcy alongside his partners Ron and Odus Park.
By 1990, Clay was the sole owner of the track, which he still owns today with his daughter, Tracey Clay, serving as the promoter of the quarter-mile clay oval.
The track hosts weekly racing and crowns track champions in eight divisions, including sprint cars. The track’s biggest event of the season is the annual Comp Cams Short Track Nationals, with the 33rd running of the event slated for Oct. 1-3. Blake Hahn is the defending race winner.
The Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, POWRi and Comp Cams Super Dirt Series are among the touring divisions that visit the track each season.
