Macon Speedway Officials Announce Ownership Change for 2023 Season | Main stories

MACON, Ill. (WAND) – In 2023, the Macon Speedway will have new ownership.

It has been under the direction of Bob Sargent as owner/promoter since 1985 when he took over from original owner Wayne Webb. In 2007, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart and Kenny Wallace joined Sargent as co-owners of the speedway.

Macon Speedway was built in 1946.

It will now be owned by Chris Kearns, a long-time official, promoter and racing enthusiast. Cairns is known for playing the Wild West.

The Wild West Shootout is a six-race event held annually in January. Kearns owns and promotes it for National Late Models, Modifieds and X Mods.

“Macon Speedway has been my favorite dirt track in the country since I attended my first Herald & Review 100 20+ years ago. It’s very surreal for me now to own and promote Macon Speedway,” Kearns said.

Cairns also owned the Western Allstars Late Model Series from 2006-2007, promoted Santa Maria Speedway from 2009-2012, and spent 13 years with USAC Racing as Director of CRA, Western Midgets and West Coast Sprint Cars.

Kearns recently participated in Greg Biffle’s Sand Robber series and race director for Tony Stewart’s SRX series.

Kearns said, “I’m really excited about what we can do at Macon Speedway. Track Manager, Adam McKee, and I have a great game plan to make improvements to the facility and bring some marquee events to the track while still maintaining the regular Saturday night program and classes. We really want this to be a dirt track that everyone will want to attend.”

Sargent said: “I’m very lucky to have the support I’ve had for so many years at this track, right in my home town. From my father, who really enjoyed helping out with construction projects, giving advice and helping my friends and longtime officials, and the sponsors who helped put everything together to give our many talented drivers a place to race.”

Sargent will continue to work in race promotion, continuing as a promoter at Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln, Illinois and Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Sargent also continues to serve as president of Track Enterprises.

“Macon Speedway provided me with a great learning experience and the opportunity to expand and build a great company with Track Enterprises. We now have about 80 events in 14 states and growing,” Sargent said.

78^thousand Macon Speedway’s racing season is set to begin with the season opener on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

A special new owner and driver meeting will be held on Sunday, December 11th at the Macon Community Center located at 1039 S Woodcock Rd in Macon, IL. Doors open at 1:30 on the day, meeting at 2:00.

For ongoing information on the new racing season, maconracing.com and Macon Speedway’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter will be places to go.

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